Azooma Escape News

[p][/p][p]Every family has that kid.[/p][p]The one who isn’t the oldest, isn’t the tallest, and technically isn’t in charge of anything but somehow, she is.[/p][p]Enter Amira, the youngest sibling in Jaser’s chaotic family tree.[/p][p]She may be Jaser’s aunt, but don’t let the title fool you she’s barely taller than the fan remote.
[/p][h3][/h3][p]Amira (Name means Princess in English by the way) grew up watching her older siblings boss everyone around: who sits where in the majlis, who pours the gahwa, and who definitely isn’t allowed near the TV.[/p][p]And so, naturally, she took notes.[/p][p]If the grown-ups get to control things, why not her too?[/p][p]She’s assigned herself the role of "Mini-Majlis Manager" with one goal:[/p][p]Complete control over every kid in the house.
[/p][h3][/h3][p]But don’t be fooled by her fierce little glare. When she’s with Jaser, that controlling persona drops like overfilled gahwa.[/p][p]Together, they scheme, sneak snacks, and occasionally break household laws like "Don’t touch the incense burner."[/p][p]In those moments, she’s not the “bossy aunt” she’s just another kid caught between wanting to grow up and wanting one more round of hide-and-seek.[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3]

• [p]Ambition: Enter the adults-only majlis without being kicked out.[/p]
• [p]Personality: Spoiled, dramatic, and suspiciously persuasive.[/p]
• [p]Tactics: Fake crying, sweet-talking, and the classic “But Mama said I could!”[/p][p][/p]

[h3][/h3][p]Let’s just say if there’s a mission involving distractions, misplaced gahwa trays, or loud fake arguments Amira is at the center of it.[/p][p]She’s not your enemy. She’s not quite your ally either. She’s just... Amira (The Absolute Princess, I tell you).[/p][p]And trust us you’ll remember her.[/p][p]Do you have an Amira in your family?
[/p][p]Tell us your stories here in the comment section or at our Discord Server. Bonus points for dramatic moments!

~Team Azooma[/p][p]
Discord / Azooma on Web[/p]

[p][/p][p]Hello to our fellow introverts, gamers, and accidental guests who stayed a bit too long![/p][p]Today, we’re excited to share a more personal behind-the-scenes look into the heart of Azooma Escape, specifically, the creation of our main character, Jaser.[/p][p]Like many stories born out of chaos and family pressure, Jaser wasn’t just “designed”… he was relived.[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p]Our lead artist and co-creator, Yaser Almehdi, gave Jaser more than just a face, he gave him part of his own childhood. The name Jaser is actually a real-life nickname given to Yaser by his late grandfather, who always called him “Jaser” by mistake or maybe out of love. Either way, it stuck. So when it came time to name our socially anxious, emotionally overwhelmed protagonist… there was no better fit.[/p][p]“It felt right to bring back that name. Like a little easter egg from my family to the game’s family.” – Yaser[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p]To get the right look and feel, Yaser actually photographed himself from all angles as reference. It wasn’t just a design process, it was a full-blown method acting despite it being a 2D Game (with fewer awards and more caffeine). Originally, the character design leaned more toward a middle-aged man, but that felt too… stable. Too wise. Too willing to attend social events.[/p][p]We redesigned Jaser to be younger, more relatable, and infinitely more likely to trip over a plate of Samosa while trying to sneak past Auntie with the awkward questions.[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p]Because Azooma Escape isn’t just about stealth, it’s about surviving awkward questions, unsolicited advice, and the intensity of cultural expectations. A younger Jaser makes the comedy hit harder. It’s funny when he hides in a pantry to avoid guests. It’s even funnier when he makes eye contact with a bowl of kabsa and has to choose between freedom or seconds.[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p]Jaser isn’t just a game character, he’s a love letter to every quiet kid in a loud room. [/p][p]A digital introvert armed with only his wits, awkward charm, and deep knowledge of where the guest slippers are hidden.[/p][p]He’s Yaser.
He’s you.
He’s all of us who’ve ever wanted to sneak out of a family gathering without offending the entire tribe.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Which family member would be your FINAL BOSS in a stealth game?

The interrogating aunt? The oversharing uncle? That cousin who remembers EVERYTHING embarrassing? We need to know for... research purposes![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Drop your family gathering horror stories in the comments, or hop into our Discord where fellow social stealth masters gather to share survival tips![/p][p][/p][p]Friendly reminder: Real-life pantries don't have save points, but we wish they did! [/p][p]~Team Azooma
[/p][p]P.S. - Jaser wants to say hi, but he's currently practicing his "blend into the wallpaper" technique behind this dev log!
[/p]

Greetings, fellow introverts! We're excited, nay, THRILLED to share some exciting updates about Azooma Escape and our journey so far!

[h2]We've reached 17,000+ wishlists - thank you so much![/h2]


We're absolutely thrilled to announce that Azooma Escape has hit over 17,000 wishlists on Steam! This milestone means the world to us, and we genuinely couldn't have done it without your incredible support. Every single wishlist represents someone who believes in our vision, and that means everything to our small team.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this journey with us. To celebrate this incredible milestone and show our appreciation, we have something special planned for you!

[h2]Join Our Eid Celebration - You're Invited![/h2]


As a heartfelt thank you to our incredible community, we're throwing a special Eid Azooma Celebration on our Discord server! We've been nurturing a cosy corner of the internet where introverts and gamers can truly feel at home - and we'd love for you to be part of it.

What's waiting for you:
🎮🎁 Exciting giveaways featuring amazing games
🎨🏆 Creative art contests and fun community events
💬🤗 A welcoming space to chat and make genuine connections
👥✨ The opportunity to meet incredible people who share your interests

[Join our Discord Here!]

[h2]A Big Win at the Big Indie Pitch![/h2]


We also have some exciting news from Dubai! Azooma Escape recently placed 3rd at the Big Indie Pitch hosted by PocketGamer in Dubai! It was such an honour to showcase our game alongside so many talented developers from around the world. The experience gave us fresh perspectives and renewed energy to make Azooma Escape the best it can be. Competing at that level was both thrilling and inspiring for our entire team!

We'd love to have you be part of our growing community. After all, it's your enthusiasm and support that's brought us this far, and we're excited to continue this adventure together.

Thanks again for everything, Steam community. You're the best!
With love,

~Team Azooma ❤️

[h2]Hello, Introverts![/h2]

We are happy to announce that our action-packed, adventure-filled game is officially part of Steam Next Fest!

🔥 Our demo is now live, and we can't wait for you to try it! 🔥



But wait, we still have more! 👀

We also invite you to participate in our Speedrun Event! 🏆

🌟How to Participate:
1️⃣ Join our Discord Server!
2️⃣ Play the demo and select Level 4 from the main menu!
3️⃣ Record and upload your run to the discord event channel.

We hope you will have great fun during the Steam Next Fest!

Have a great day, and don't forget to join our Discord and try our demo! 🙌

~Azooma Escape Team

[h2]Hey, Introverts![/h2]

In today's devlog, we want to share the heart of our project—our inspirations. Everything has a story behind it, from the mechanics to the story to the characters, and we hope this gives you insight into our creative process. Let's jump right in!



The idea emerged from our desire to create a casual game with a distinct Arabic theme. Arab culture is renowned for its generosity and love of gatherings, but we wanted to explore the perspective of those who feel differently about social events. This led us to craft a story about an introverted boy compelled to attend a family gathering he dreads. His sole mission is to find a way to escape and return home, blending humor, culture, and relatable moments.

The escape system, a key gameplay mechanic, was inspired by real-life interactions at social gatherings—moments when you try to avoid certain conversations or discreetly leave without drawing attention. In the game, you navigate through the gathering, engaging in discussions and finding ways to slip away unnoticed. We translated these experiences into intuitive, relatable, and fun gameplay mechanics.

The aesthetics of old-school Metal Gear games heavily influenced our visual style. These games were known for their unique blend of stealth, action, and distinct moods. We loved how they created a tense yet engaging atmosphere, and we reimagined that approach through an Arabic cultural lens to create something fresh yet nostalgic.

We fused authentic Arabic music with modern elements to create a unique audio experience. This blend pays homage to traditional sounds while keeping the vibe contemporary and engaging, perfectly complementing the game's tone.

The story is entirely original but draws heavily from our personal experiences. Many of us on the team have encountered situations at gatherings where we felt out of place or met unique characters. These moments served as the foundation for crafting a personal and universal story that resonates with you.

The characters were inspired by real-life individuals we've met and the wide range of emotions tied to attending social gatherings. From the overly chatty relative to the quiet observer, each character reflects a facet of these experiences, making them not just relatable but a mirror to our shared experiences, making them memorable.

This project was a labor of love. We combined humor, culture, and storytelling to create an entertaining game that reflects everyday life. We wanted to celebrate Arab culture lightheartedly, which we sincerely appreciate and respect, while addressing a universal theme: feeling like a misfit in social settings. The creative process was as much about telling a fun story as it was highlighting our shared experiences' beauty and quirks.

Do you have questions or feedback? Drop them in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading, and see you next time! 🙌