Author: Mohamed Fawzy

Mohamed is the founder of RARE CASTLE [copy], an indie game developer and writer. He has a passion for creating episodic cinematic games that combine stunning graphics and captivating stories. His vision is to showcase the beauty and mystery of nature and reality. He believes that games are a powerful medium for expressing ideas, emotions, and messages that can inspire and entertain people around the world.

Milestone 4 Complete — Project Escher

The fourth milestone of our six-phase full prototype for Project Escher is now complete.

Off The Grid: Bad Dream (Project Escher) - PC - Devlog 4 - The Palace Room

This phase introduces a pivotal Chapter One moment, bringing together the Soul & Body Possession system, the reveal of the Shadow character and its mechanics, a palace escape puzzle, and new story developments that deepen the experience.

With this milestone, we have reached 66% completion of the full demo prototype.

Following our submission to the MENA Hero Project on January 31, development continues as we expand the dream world layer and refine the core systems that define Project Escher.

More soon.

— Rare Castle

Entering the Palace

A Sanctuary Outside of Space and Time

As development continues on Project Escher, the world beyond the physical realm is beginning to take shape.

We’ve recently completed a major visual enhancement pass on the Palace room — refining lighting, atmosphere, and architectural details to better reflect its symbolic and emotional weight within the story.

The Palace represents a transition point in the experience — a space where reality feels altered, perception shifts, and the rules of the world begin to change.

These early screenshots capture the evolving mood and tone of this non-physical realm as we continue building the dream world layer of the game.

More soon.

Rare Castle Officially Submits Project Escher to PlayStation MENA Hero Project

The vision is no longer private. It has been placed on the table.

We at Rare Castle are proud to announce a major milestone: on 31 January 2026, we officially submitted Project Escher to the PlayStation MENA Hero Project, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s dedicated incubator supporting emerging talent across the Middle East and North Africa.

The submission package included our polished playable demo (vertical slice prototype), a comprehensive pitch deck, the full production roadmap, and all supporting development materials. This marks the culmination of years of independent work — refined into a formal, industry-ready presentation ready for official evaluation.

About the PlayStation MENA Hero Project

The PlayStation MENA Hero Project is an incubator program by Sony Interactive Entertainment that identifies and nurtures promising developers from the MENA region (including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Tunisia, Bahrain, and others). Selected studios receive mentorship, access to PlayStation resources, recoupable development funding (minimum $100,000 USD paid on milestones), global featuring opportunities, and the potential for full publishing by SIE.

In August 2025, the first cohort was revealed — four exciting titles from regional studios: Red Bandits (Team Agenda, Saudi Arabia), Enci’s Solution (Dark Emerald, UAE), The Perfect Run (Lanterns Studios, Tunisia), and A Cat’s Manor (Happiest Dark Corner, Bahrain). All are coming to PlayStation 5 and PC. We are honored to be part of this growing movement celebrating MENA creativity on the global stage.

Project Escher: Our Vision

Project Escher is an episodic cinematic psychological thriller adventure that explores identity, perception, reality, and the fragile boundary between the physical world and the abstract. Inspired by the impossible geometries of M.C. Escher, the game features mind-bending environments, surreal dreamscapes, and a deeply personal narrative that aligns with our studio’s mission to create meaningful “healing games.”

Standout mechanics include:

  • A fully reactive dialogue system with contextual character interactions
  • An intimate inner-monologue mechanic
  • Dynamic vehicle driving, traffic simulation, and interaction systems
  • Flexible inventory and environmental interaction tied to story progression
  • Symbolic spaces such as “The Palace” — a sanctuary outside conventional spacetime

The game is currently in pre-alpha, with Phase 3 of our six-phase heavy prototyping cycle completed in December 2025, bringing the vertical slice to 50% completion.

Our Journey to This Moment

What began in 2018 as a passionate solo project by founder Mohamed Fawzy has grown through dedication, community support, and relentless iteration. In March 2025 we became an Official PlayStation Partner, and on 11 February 2026 we released the first philosophical trailer for the demo, highlighting the game’s core themes.

This submission moves Project Escher from private creation to official platform consideration — a decisive step forward for our small but determined team.

Looking Ahead

We now await feedback from the MENA Hero Project committee while continuing to advance development. Whatever the outcome, this milestone validates the vision we have poured into Project Escher and reinforces our commitment to delivering a unique, emotionally resonant experience to players worldwide.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our supporters, volunteers, advisors, and the growing Rare Castle community. Your belief in the project keeps us moving forward.

Stay connected

The vision is no longer private.
It has been placed on the table.

— The Rare Castle Team

Project Escher — Phase 3 Progress Update

Cinematics, Vehicle Driving System, Van Dialogue & Half Demo Milestone

As of December 13, 2025, Project Escher continues to move forward at a strong and steady pace. We’re excited to share that Phase 3 of our 6-phase Heavy Prototyping cycle is now complete — marking the third major milestone in development.

With this phase finished, the project has officially reached a key point:
we are now 50% of the way toward completing the demo / vertical slice.

Today’s newly released dev-log video showcases a significant leap forward in both gameplay and narrative, including:

  • New Cinematic Sequences
    Story-driven moments that help establish tone, pacing, and emotional weight.
  • Vehicle Driving System
    Core driving mechanics are now playable, forming a central part of the experience.
  • Van Dialogue System
    Contextual dialogue taking place inside the van, blending story, character, and gameplay.
  • Expanded Story Chapter
    A major portion of the narrative is now playable, bringing the demo closer to a complete, cohesive experience.

This milestone represents a shift from pure prototyping into a half-demo / half-story chapter, where systems, cinematics, and narrative begin to connect as a unified experience.

Story Direction – Second Half of the Chapters

With the first half of the demo now grounded in the physical world, the remaining half of each story chapter will shift the experience into a non-physical space — a world existing outside of conventional spacetime, off the grid.

This upcoming phase of development will focus on the protagonist’s inner journey through this abstract realm, where reality, memory, and perception begin to blur. Gameplay, cinematics, and narrative systems will evolve to reflect this transition, exploring psychological themes through atmosphere, symbolism, and unconventional storytelling rather than traditional physical interactions.

The next development phases will be dedicated to building and defining this world — shaping its rules, visual language, and emotional impact — as Project Escher moves closer to a complete and cohesive vertical slice.

With three phases complete and three remaining, Project Escher is steadily shaping into a polished vertical slice. Our goal remains clear:
to prepare Project Escher for submission to the Sony PlayStation.

Thank you for following the journey and supporting Rare Castle. More updates are coming soon as we push toward the next milestone.

Project Escher — New Reactive Dialogue, Inner Monologue, Vehicle Traffic, Interaction & Inventory Systems

Heavy Prototyping Development — Phase 2 Complete

Project Escher - dialogue mechanic - vehicle traffic - interaction - inventory Second 5 minutes

As of November 24, 2025, Project Escher continues to accelerate beyond expectations. Our Heavy Prototyping cycle is planned as six phases, each originally set to last two weeks. However, thanks to rapid progress and focused work, we’ve completed Phase 2 in just one week.

Today, we’re releasing the second milestone dev-log video, showcasing a collection of major systems and story elements now functioning inside the build:

  • Reactive Dialogue System – Characters now respond dynamically to each other based on context, timing, and narrative flow.
  • Inner Monologue Mechanic – The player gains real-time access to the protagonist’s thoughts, adding psychological depth and guiding exploration.
  • Vehicle Traffic Simulation – Living traffic behavior now populates the world, adding realism, atmosphere, and narrative grounding.
  • Interaction System – A flexible framework allowing objects, characters, and world elements to be examined, used, or activated.
  • Inventory System – Early implementation of item collection, management, and usage tied to the puzzles and story progression.

With this milestone complete, we’re now approaching the halfway mark of our six-phase prototyping sprint. Each milestone pushes the project closer to a polished, playable vertical slice.

Our ultimate goal remains clear:
prepare Project Escher for submission to the Sony PlayStation.

Thank you for following the journey, supporting Rare Castle, and being part of this ambitious chapter. Stay tuned — the next milestone is already in motion.

Project Escher — Introducing the Inner Monologue Mechanic

Heavy Prototyping in Full Motion

Project Escher - Inner Monologue Mechanic - First 5 Minutes

Starting this November, Project Escher officially enters its most intense development sprint yet: a structured Heavy Prototyping Cycle designed to shape the core playable identity of the game.

To keep the process focused and accountable, the team at Rare Castle has divided this cycle into six development phases, each lasting two weeks. Every phase functions as a milestone and ends with a public video update showcasing what we’ve accomplished.

These updates may reveal:

  • A newly implemented narrative mechanic
  • A fresh slice of gameplay
  • A story moment entering the build for the first time
  • A technical breakthrough that pushes the atmosphere and immersion further
  • Or any major milestone that helps solidify the vertical slice

Our first major feature in this cycle is the Inner Monologue Mechanic — a system that brings players directly into the protagonist’s mind, allowing thoughts, memories, and emotional cues to guide the narrative in subtle and psychological ways. This mechanic plays an essential role in Project Escher’s identity as a first-person healer / psychological thriller, deepening player connection and driving both story and exploration.

By the end of these six phases, our goal is clear:
deliver a polished, atmospheric, and story-rich vertical slice ready to present to the Sony PlayStation Hero Project.

As a solo indie studio growing its creative footprint, we’re excited to share every step of this journey. Thank you for being part of the road toward Off The Grid: Bad Dream — and stay tuned for the first milestone video soon.

Resources:

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/mena-hero-project
https://sonyinteractive.com/en/news/blog/mena-hero-project-vibrant-dynamic-unstoppable/
https://youtu.be/02ikyMQpYxM?si=guCRDf50ca9F2VsW


3D Modeler (Weapons Artist)

Position Type: Volunteer

Location(s): Remote

Why Rare Castle?

Rare Castle is an independent game studio driven by a bold, transformative vision: to create games that heal. we believe games can do more than entertain — they can mend the soul, cultivate calm, and inspire hope.

While horror games often thrill us with fear, we imagine something different: cinematic, story-driven experiences that guide players toward self-discovery, resilience, and emotional well-being. Our games are crafted with the same meticulous artistry as the most gripping horror titles — but instead of nightmares, we create spaces for reflection, growth, and inner peace, all brought to life with stunning, photorealistic visuals.

At Rare Castle, we are redefining what games can be. Join us as we build immersive worlds that spark curiosity, soothe the spirit, and leave a lasting, positive impact.

Responsibilities
  • Design, model, and texture realistic and stylized weapons (firearms, melee, custom tools) that align with the tone of the game world.
  • Translate concept art, references, and verbal direction into high-quality game-ready models.
  • Create clean topology, efficient UVs, and high-to-low poly bakes suitable for real-time performance.
  • Develop PBR materials and textures using tools like Substance Painter, Designer, or Quixel.
  • Collaborate with animators and gameplay designers to ensure weapon assets are functional, ergonomic, and ready for in-game use.
  • Implement and test weapons inside Unreal Engine 5, ensuring proper scale, readability, and visual cohesion with the game world.
  • Work closely with the Game Director to align weapon aesthetics with emotional and narrative beats — every weapon should tell a story.
Requirements
  • Portfolio showcasing high-quality weapon modeling and texturing, with attention to detail and visual storytelling.
  • Proficiency in 3D modeling software (Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, etc.).
  • Experience creating high-to-low poly models and baking normal, AO, and curvature maps.
  • Strong grasp of PBR workflows and real-time asset optimization.
  • Familiarity with Unreal Engine (especially asset setup, materials, and lighting previews).
  • Understanding of weapon anatomy, real-world function, and how those elements translate to game design.
Nice to have
  • Experience modeling unique, non-traditional, or narrative-specific weapons.
  • Familiarity with rigging or preparing weapons for animation (e.g., reloading sequences, attachments).
  • Knowledge of first-person and third-person weapon presentation in Unreal.
  • Passion for psychological thriller or narrative-driven games where design matters emotionally.
  • Interest in environmental storytelling through weapon wear, modification, or design history
What We Offer
  • Creative Freedom: The chance to shape the visual storytelling of a unique, cinematic indie game and leave your artistic fingerprint on every scene.
  • A Collaborative Environment: Work directly with a passionate founder and a small, dedicated team that values experimentation, curiosity, and open dialogue.
  • Professional Growth: Build your portfolio with high-quality, real-time lighting work, and deepen your skills in a supportive, artist-driven setting.
  • Flexible, Remote Work: Contribute from anywhere in the world on a schedule that fits your life.
  • A Meaningful Mission: Be part of a studio redefining what games can be — creating experiences that heal, inspire, and leave a lasting emotional impact.

Apply Now

UI/UX Designer

Position Type: Volunteer

Location(s): Remote

Why Rare Castle?

Rare Castle is an independent game studio driven by a bold, transformative vision: to create games that heal. we believe games can do more than entertain — they can mend the soul, cultivate calm, and inspire hope.

While horror games often thrill us with fear, we imagine something different: cinematic, story-driven experiences that guide players toward self-discovery, resilience, and emotional well-being. Our games are crafted with the same meticulous artistry as the most gripping horror titles — but instead of nightmares, we create spaces for reflection, growth, and inner peace, all brought to life with stunning, photorealistic visuals.

At Rare Castle, we are redefining what games can be. Join us as we build immersive worlds that spark curiosity, soothe the spirit, and leave a lasting, positive impact.

Responsibilities
  • Design, prototype, and implement intuitive and atmospheric UI elements (HUD, menus, prompts, inventory, etc.) that match the game’s visual and emotional tone.
  • Work closely with game designers, artists, and developers to ensure seamless player experiences across gameplay, narrative, and interaction.
  • Translate abstract ideas like “calm,” “tension,” or “mystery” into layout, motion, typography, and feedback systems.
  • Develop wireframes, flowcharts, and interactive prototypes that demonstrate player journeys and screen transitions.
  • Collaborate on user testing and iteration, ensuring the UI serves both usability and storytelling.
  • Maintain consistency and accessibility across all interface elements, while leaving room for creative experimentation.
Requirements
  • Strong portfolio showcasing UI/UX work in games or interactive digital experiences.
  • Solid understanding of UX principles, user-centered design, and interface hierarchy.
  • Experience designing UI systems for game engines (Unreal Engine experience is a big plus).
  • Familiarity with tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or similar for prototyping and layout.
  • Understanding of motion design, transitions, and feedback that enhance player experience.
  • Appreciation for minimalism, mood-driven design, and subtle emotional cues.
Nice to have
  • Experience designing for gamepads/controllers as well as mouse/keyboard.
  • Experience implementing UI in Unreal Engine using UMG, Blueprints, or Slate.
  • Familiarity with psychological thriller, narrative-driven, or cinematic-style games.
  • Aesthetic sensitivity toward typography, iconography, and negative space.
What We Offer
  • Creative Freedom: The chance to shape the visual storytelling of a unique, cinematic indie game and leave your artistic fingerprint on every scene.
  • A Collaborative Environment: Work directly with a passionate founder and a small, dedicated team that values experimentation, curiosity, and open dialogue.
  • Professional Growth: Build your portfolio with high-quality, real-time lighting work, and deepen your skills in a supportive, artist-driven setting.
  • Flexible, Remote Work: Contribute from anywhere in the world on a schedule that fits your life.
  • A Meaningful Mission: Be part of a studio redefining what games can be — creating experiences that heal, inspire, and leave a lasting emotional impact.

Apply Now

Screenwriter

Position Type: Volunteer

Location(s): Remote

Why Rare Castle?

Rare Castle is an independent game studio driven by a bold, transformative vision: to create games that heal. we believe games can do more than entertain — they can mend the soul, cultivate calm, and inspire hope.

While horror games often thrill us with fear, we imagine something different: cinematic, story-driven experiences that guide players toward self-discovery, resilience, and emotional well-being. Our games are crafted with the same meticulous artistry as the most gripping horror titles — but instead of nightmares, we create spaces for reflection, growth, and inner peace, all brought to life with stunning, photorealistic visuals.

At Rare Castle, we are redefining what games can be. Join us as we build immersive worlds that spark curiosity, soothe the spirit, and leave a lasting, positive impact.

Responsibilities
  • Write emotionally grounded, cinematic dialogue, monologues, and interactive sequences that support player immersion and character development.
  • Collaborate closely with the Game Director, Narrative Designer, and Art team to align storytelling with gameplay, visuals, and world-building.
  • Develop character arcs, backstories, scene structures, and pacing in a way that complements both gameplay flow and thematic depth.
  • Translate abstract themes (grief, healing, memory, fear, beauty) into compelling narrative moments.
  • Iterate and refine scripts based on feedback from narrative, gameplay, and cinematic leads.
  • Contribute to environmental storytelling and help shape lore that deepens the world without heavy exposition.
  • Maintain continuity and emotional consistency across branching dialogue and narrative structures.
Requirements
  • Strong portfolio showcasing narrative writing for games, film, television, or interactive media.
  • Ability to write authentic, emotionally resonant characters and nuanced dialogue.
  • Experience collaborating in a cross-disciplinary creative environment (game dev, film, theatre, or similar).
  • Deep understanding of pacing, tension, subtext, and cinematic storytelling.
  • Passion for surreal, psychological, or emotionally layered stories.
  • Comfortable working with outlines, treatments, and feedback loops in an iterative, collaborative workflow.
Nice to have
  • Familiarity with Unreal Engine or writing for real-time cinematic pipelines.
  • Experience writing branching dialogue, game scripts, or interactive narratives.
  • Understanding of or interest in visual storytelling and how mood, lighting, and sound enhance script meaning.
  • Background in screenwriting, playwriting, or narrative design.
What We Offer
  • Creative Freedom: The chance to shape the visual storytelling of a unique, cinematic indie game and leave your artistic fingerprint on every scene.
  • A Collaborative Environment: Work directly with a passionate founder and a small, dedicated team that values experimentation, curiosity, and open dialogue.
  • Professional Growth: Build your portfolio with high-quality, real-time lighting work, and deepen your skills in a supportive, artist-driven setting.
  • Flexible, Remote Work: Contribute from anywhere in the world on a schedule that fits your life.
  • A Meaningful Mission: Be part of a studio redefining what games can be — creating experiences that heal, inspire, and leave a lasting emotional impact.

Apply Now

Game Producer

Position Type: Volunteer

Location(s): Remote

Why Rare Castle?

Rare Castle is an independent game studio driven by a bold, transformative vision: to create games that heal. we believe games can do more than entertain — they can mend the soul, cultivate calm, and inspire hope.

While horror games often thrill us with fear, we imagine something different: cinematic, story-driven experiences that guide players toward self-discovery, resilience, and emotional well-being. Our games are crafted with the same meticulous artistry as the most gripping horror titles — but instead of nightmares, we create spaces for reflection, growth, and inner peace, all brought to life with stunning, photorealistic visuals.

At Rare Castle, we are redefining what games can be. Join us as we build immersive worlds that spark curiosity, soothe the spirit, and leave a lasting, positive impact.

Responsibilities
  • Coordinate development efforts across departments — design, art, animation, sound, and engineering — to ensure alignment with the game vision and production goals.
  • Track and manage production schedules, task breakdowns, and milestone planning using tools like Trello, or any alternatives.
  • Facilitate clear communication between creative and technical teams; be the bridge that turns ideas into deliverables.
  • Identify production risks, remove roadblocks, and keep everyone on pace and focused.
  • Work closely with the Creative Director to preserve the narrative and emotional integrity of the game throughout the production process.
  • Encourage a sustainable, collaborative, and emotionally healthy workflow environment — especially in a remote, indie setting.
  • Support documentation, retrospectives, and production reports to track progress and iterate on processes.
Requirements
  • Previous experience producing or managing tasks on a video game (can be indie, student, mod, or personal project).
  • Strong organizational and communication skills — you can turn chaos into clarity.
  • Ability to lead with empathy, transparency, and flexibility, especially in a small and evolving team.
  • Familiarity with game development workflows, pipelines, and departments (Unreal Engine knowledge is a big plus).
  • Passion for narrative-driven, emotionally engaging games that challenge the norm.
  • Self-motivated, adaptable, and comfortable managing remote, asynchronous collaboration.
Nice to have
  • Experience in Agile/Scrum or similar methodologies.
  • A love for psychological thrillers, surreal experiences, or emotionally impactful storytelling.
  • Familiarity with tools like Asana, Perforce, or UE5 source control integration.
What We Offer
  • Creative Freedom: The chance to shape the visual storytelling of a unique, cinematic indie game and leave your artistic fingerprint on every scene.
  • A Collaborative Environment: Work directly with a passionate founder and a small, dedicated team that values experimentation, curiosity, and open dialogue.
  • Professional Growth: Build your portfolio with high-quality, real-time lighting work, and deepen your skills in a supportive, artist-driven setting.
  • Flexible, Remote Work: Contribute from anywhere in the world on a schedule that fits your life.
  • A Meaningful Mission: Be part of a studio redefining what games can be — creating experiences that heal, inspire, and leave a lasting emotional impact.

Apply Now
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