Game professionals form coalition to 'push against the dehumanization of Palestinians'
A self-organized coalition of over 50 industry professionals have established Palestinian Voices in Games, a new professional network dedicated to empowering current and emerging Palestinian game developers.
The cohort currently includes game studios, curators, and event organizers who are all volunteering their time to "combat the underrepresentation and dehumanization of Palestinians." Santa Ragione, Nerial, The Pixel Hunt, Indoor Sunglasses, Lizardcube, and Deneos are just some of the companies to have joined the coalition.
The group—which first convened in 2024 prior to breaking cover—hopes to support Palestinian developers by offering "direct professional support" and is actively working to expand its volunteer network and connect with funding partners.
A number of game developers have shown their support for Palestine. According to a United Nations special committee, Israel is currently waging war in the region using methods "consistent with genocide."
Some have attempted to raise funds through charity bundles to provide humanitarian aid, while others have called out and taken action against major corporations, such as Xbox maker Microsoft, that have been accused of supporting the Israeli regime.
Microsoft recently hired an independent consulting firm to conduct a formal review into whether its cloud technology is being used by Israel to target civilians or cause harm.
"We want to support a new generation of Palestinian gamemakers"Palestinian Voices in Games explained it is vital to amplify the voices of Palestinians who are struggling to be heard.
"The dehumanization of Palestinians is tied to their rare visibility in the cultural sphere. This dehumanization costs lives—as the world remains indifferent to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and to the surge of violent oppression across the West Bank and inside Israel," reads a mission statement on the coalition's website.
"We want to push against the dehumanization of Palestinians, not simply through representation but also through professional and economic support, so that Palestinian game developers may tell their own stories and reach global audiences. Inspired by the work of intellectuals, poets, actors, artists, and game developers such as Edward Said, Mahmoud Darwish, Hiam Abbas, Larissa Sansour, Elia Suleiman, and Rasheed Abueideh, we want to support a new generation of Palestinian gamemakers."
Four projects—Dreams on a Pillow, Being 2, RiYafa, and Pomegranates—are currently being supported by Palestinian Voices in Games, but the group hopes to eventually add more to that roster.
It has encouraged Palestinian indie creators of all experience levels to reach out and submit their projects for support opportunities. The group has also issued an open call for volunteers and funding partners.
Visit the Palestinian Voices in Games website for more information.
