Dreams on a Pillow offers players a deeply immersive journey into the events of the 1948 Nakba, an event marked by the displacement of about 700,000 people due to Zionist occupation.
This innovative project, which Rasheed Abu-Eideh has crafted, presents itself as a “pseudo-3D stealth adventure” that explores the transformation of a homeland into a place devoid of its original inhabitants. But before diving into this new venture, it’s worth revisiting Abu-Eideh’s earlier work.
Back in 2016, Abu-Eideh made waves with Liyla and the Shadows of War. This gripping game focused on the 2014 assault on Gaza known as Operation Protective Edge. Players navigate alongside a Palestinian girl and her family as they try to survive the attacks on their neighborhood. Though it’s relatively short, the game effectively marries platforming challenges with a choose-your-own-adventure narrative style, creating a poignant and emotional experience. Notably, in 2021, Liyla contributed to an Indie Bundle Pack that successfully raised close to $900,000 for Palestinian aid through UNRWA USA.
For those interested, Liyla and the Shadows of War is currently available for free on both mobile platforms and Windows. However, the journey to its release wasn’t without hurdles. Initially, in 2016, Apple rejected its classification as a game on the App Store, suggesting instead that it be listed under “News” or “Reference” due to its political themes. This decision was met with widespread criticism, considering another game, Israeli Heroes, was accepted as a game by Apple. Public discourse around this issue, especially visible on social media, eventually led to Apple relenting and allowing Liyla to be properly categorized.
Now, Abu-Eideh is channeling his efforts into Dreams on a Pillow, and he’s currently crowdfunding for the project on LaunchGood until January 13. The funds will be directed towards creating assets, outsourcing work, and supporting the nine-member development team. The game is slated for a release in Q4 of 2026, promising to enrich the gaming landscape with its powerful storytelling and unique perspective.
