Gaza Sky Geeks' Leyan Zahdeh on training game developers in Palestine amid displacement and war

Summary

Amid the displacement and war in Gaza, game development training has emerged as a rare but vital source of hope. This article interviews Leyan Zahdeh of Gaza Sky Geeks, an organization tackling the core challenges faced by local developers. Last year, the program took in 150 participants and has since received over 1,000 registrations. Zahdeh emphasizes that Gaza's developers have never lacked talent; what truly holds them back are the extremely difficult working conditions—unstable electricity, internet outages, lack of security, and scarce resources. Gaza Sky Geeks not only teaches game design, programming, and art skills, but also strives to connect participants with international remote work opportunities, allowing them to maintain productivity and income despite the crisis. The significance of this program extends beyond vocational training; it demonstrates the resilience and empowerment that the game industry can provide in conflict zones. For the global game industry, it serves as a reminder that emerging markets harbor vast undiscovered creative talent, and it raises an ethical challenge: how to support those who persist in creating amid war. For players, this may soon lead to more games from Palestinian developers, bringing unique narratives and perspectives to the industry. The article also discusses details such as long-term training plans and partnerships with…