This is not an update on the game.

Over the past few months, my heart has sunk to new depths. As I write this, a genocide is happening in Palestine and being live-streamed around the world. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been killed by the settler-colonial state of Israel. Countless more are missing, maimed, or trapped under rubble… all for the crime of being born Palestinian.

Words cannot begin to describe the depravity and violence the zionist state has unleashed: all with the support and backing of the USA, Germany, UK, Canada and other Western powers.

It’s not complicated: This is Genocide

As of now, the official Palestinian death toll (since Oct 7) sits at around 40,000. This current official number is a VAST UNDERREPORTING. According to The Lancet the actual number of people killed, or dead by starvation/disease is at least 186,000 (see more here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01169-3/fulltext). That's 7.9% of Gaza’s population... wiped out. These are genocidal numbers. And while this is deeply horrific and traumatic for me and much of the world, I cannot even begin to fathom what it’s like for Palestinians.

I'm shaking writing this, because a huge number of those killed are children. Gaza is an overwhelmingly youthful population. Prior to Oct 7, roughly 50% was under 18. I think of my own nieces and nephews. Losing any of them would be devastating, losing all of them would be unthinkable. And yet, that's exactly what's happening for so many in Palestine as entire families are being wiped out.

Hind Rajab, a six year old Palestinian girl was murdered in cold blood by the IOF. My heart shatters--not simply with grief but an explosion of rage--when I think of the horror of her final hours. She was trapped in a car with her murdered family members. She called for help. An ambulance was on the way. They were killed by the IOF. Then, an Israeli soldier in a tank chose to murder her by firing 355 bullets into her car.

What kind of sick, soulless fuck can see a child through the crosshairs and decide to open fire? And this is far from the only horror story.

I’ve seen videos and stills of more dead Palestinian children than I can count. And every time I think it can’t possibly worse, it does.

Beyond murder and death: the zionist war machine is inflicting every manner of violence and degradation onto the indigenous Palestinian population—including sexual violence (https://www.972mag.com/sde-teiman-prisoners-lawyer-mahajneh/).

There can be no argument, this is genocide.

Why Am I Choosing to Speak Out? What do I Hope to Accomplish?

Genocide is not some “microaggression”.  We were raised to believe that it is amongst the most heinous possible crimes against humanity. I was raised to believe that we must do everything in our power to stop genocide. And yet, when the victims are Palestinians, our media and politicians are silent. Worse, they’re actively censoring those who do speak out. 

They are complicit in genocide. 

Back in December, when I was in the hospital with a badly fractured ankle, one thought overwhelmed me, “If I were in Gaza, they’d have to amputate my leg without anaesthetic.” Gaza is home to the largest cohort of paediatric amputees in history. That was almost seven months ago. The situation has only gotten worse since then.

So I’m speaking out not only because it’s important to speak truth, but especially so when that truth is controversial and being silenced.

I never went into game development in the hopes of getting political, but some things are too important to ignore or avoid simply because of "politics." This is a matter of life and death for Palestinians, it's a matter of justice and hope for humanity, and it's important that I use whatever limited platform I have to raise awareness.

And If I can reach just one person, this statement will have been worth it.

What about antisemitism?

What about it? It’s not antisemitic to criticize Israel. It’s not antisemitic to denounce zionism and stand up for humanity. 

Over the years, at every single pro-Palestinian rally I’ve attended there have been dozens to hundreds of Jewish comrades standing in solidarity, chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”

The accusation of antisemitism against supporters of Palestine is an intimidation tactic and a distraction. They want to scare you and prevent you from speaking out. Beyond that it also puts you on the defensive, addressing antisemitism instead of the genocide in Gaza.

Do Something Before It’s Too Late!

We have the power to change the world together. We’re at a crucial moment in history where we must demand better, before it’s too late. This genocide won’t stop on its own. IT’S UP TO ALL OF US TO STOP IT!

Consider what happens if Israel succeeds in its goal of effectively exterminating Palestinians. It's a horrific enough thought on it's own, but the implications go even deeper. Do you think you're safe if it happens? Do you think ANYONE is safe? If a rogue nuclear power can commit genocide in full view of the world without facing any substantial consequences, what else can they get away with? Who's going to stop them?

What you can do!

If you're in Palestine, my heart goes out to you; you have my eternal gratitude and respect. I could never presume to tell Palestinians what to do in this situation, but if you're in the diaspora consider doing some of the following:

• Call your representatives. Urge them to boycott, divest from, and sanction Israel
• Attend local rallies in support of Palestine
• Donate to PCRF or other Palestinian-relief charities: https://www.pcrf.net/
• Donate to an exit fund for a Palestinian family to escape Gaza
• Help or get involved with your local mutual aid organizations that have a decolonial, pro-Palestine focus (I.e Indigenous people’s rights groups)
• Support your local student encampment
• Speak out in support of Palestine; speak about the genocide. Talk to your friends and family, post on social media
• Boycott Israeli companies as well as other organizations, cultural and academic institutions that profit from the occupation (learn more here: https://bdsmovement.net/what-is-bds)

My personal pledge

It’s not much, but I pledge to donate all donations to date from this project to a charitable cause in support of Palestine within the next 30 days. I will post a donation receipt. I will likely donate to the PCRF (https://www.pcrf.net/), but I may choose a different charitable cause after doing some more research. To date, the gross revenue of this project is $228.00 USD (~$310 CAD, which is the currency the donation will be in).

I addition to that, I pledge to continue speaking up for Palestine. To show up at protests and demonstrations, to help people involved in organizing for Palestine.

I’m open to discussion, but I don’t debate zionists

I’m happy to respectfully discuss anything that I’ve said, but I don’t debate zionists. As such, I’ve closed comments here. And while I hope this post doesn't alienate anyone, I realize that it could. That's the price we pay sometimes for speaking out.

This was difficult to write and I feel a little vulnerable having written it, so please do reach out if this resonated with you!

If you would like to talk—about this or anything else—you can DM me on Twitter or join my Discord server: https://discord.gg/WkFnwaMV . 

Remember that none of us are free until we're ALL FREE!

Much love,
Romantisoft

#FreePalestine #FromTheRiverToTheSeaPalestineWillBeFree #VivaPalestina