Hello Barzakh community,
I am Emirhan Güngörmez from Han Interactive Entertainment and the creator of Barzakh: The Star Gardener. With a small but passionate team, I am thrilled to announce that Barzakh is now live on Steam! Inspired by the poetic spirit of The Little Prince and Sufi mysticism, this game tells the spiritual journey of pilot Emir following a plane crash in the desert. Today, I’d like to share our plans leading up to the Steam Next Fest in October and the unique world of Barzakh, particularly how the deep meanings of the Arabic language breathe life into it.
The Path to Next Fest: Our Plans
The Steam Next Fest in October is a turning point for us. During this time, we are planning three playtests to shape Barzakh together with you. Your feedback will play a key role in perfecting the game’s soul and mechanics.
First Playtest: Focused on an initial experience with a short task. We will test the core mechanics and seek to understand how the story and atmosphere feel to you. Your feedback will strengthen the game’s foundation.
Second Playtest: Aiming for improvements in gameplay and visual effects. We will work to make puzzles more fluid and intuitive, deepening your experience.
Third Playtest: Scheduled just before the Next Fest demo. This will be the final rehearsal to finalize the demo, with every detail carefully crafted to immerse you in the experience.
At Next Fest, we will present a 30-35 minute demo. This demo will reflect Barzakh’s essence: short, impactful, and memorable. Our first demo is incredibly important to us; it’s not just for players but also an opportunity to connect with publishers and investors. The impact we create at Next Fest will shape Barzakh’s future. We are already prepared to receive feedback from interested publishers, and your support empowers us on this journey.
The Unique World of Barzakh and the Deep Meaning of Arabic
Barzakh: The Star Gardener is more than a game—it’s a journey of discovery and inner transformation. The term “Barzakh,” derived from Arabic, refers to the invisible veil between worldly life and the afterlife—a space of transition, seeking, and transformation. This concept forms the foundation of Emir’s spiritual journey born from desert solitude. The deep, multi-layered meanings of Arabic are woven into the game’s essence. Each universe is rooted in a word, drawn from Arabic’s poetic and philosophical richness. For instance, a star might point to a word like “patience,” “journey,” or “discovery,” inviting players to reflect.
The game’s most captivating aspect lies in its metaphysical natural events, breathtaking landscapes, and profound philosophical dialogues. Emir’s quest to collect stars across different universes is enriched by the imagery evoked by Arabic words. The puzzles in these worlds require not just logic but also a union of heart and mind. Diverse environments, minimalist yet striking landscapes, and carefully selected music make Barzakh unforgettable. The neon-colored scribbles in the UI, inspired by modern interpretations of Arabic calligraphy, add a unique aesthetic without disrupting the atmosphere.
As a small indie studio, we may not compete with top-tier indie games in animations. However, we believe our story, atmosphere, and the philosophical depth inspired by Arabic will set us apart. Every scene and word invites you to question the universe’s mysteries and seek your own truth.
Barzakh’s Future: A Series Vision
We envision Barzakh as a series. The first game focuses on storytelling and a lasting experience. The magical words of Arabic, diverse environments, stunning landscapes, and music will draw you into this world. You might notice limitations in the physics systems; this is an area we plan to prioritize in the second game. If Next Fest goes well, we could bring these improvements to the first game as well. Smoother physical interactions and enhanced mechanics await you in the series’ future.
We Await You
Add Barzakh: The Star Gardener to your Steam wishlist: s.team/a/3849950. Join our Discord community, get involved in the development process, and share your ideas: discord.gg/eea2st72tj. Be among the first 1,000 playtest players to experience the game as a pioneer.
As a small studio, your support means everything to us. Barzakh is not just a game but a dream and a quest for truth. We eagerly await to turn this journey, steeped in the deep meanings of Arabic, into reality with you at Next Fest.
Let us meet under the stars of truth,
Emirhan Güngörmez
Han Interactive Entertainment
إن شاء اللّه
Follow Us
Website: barzakh.emirhangungormez.com
Steam: s.team/a/3849950
YouTube: View game page
Instagram: instagram.com/han23studio
TikTok: tiktok.com/@han23studio
ArtStation: artstation.com/han23studio