Azooma Escape News

[p][/p][p]In every family gathering, two forces silently hold the house together one with wisdom, the other with… slightly mystical vibes.[/p][p]Grandpa and Grandma.[/p][p]They’ve seen it all.[/p][p]From the holiday blackouts to the kitchen disasters, nothing fazes them anymore.[/p][p]But in the chaos of Azooma Escape, even the elders have a role to play.[/p][h3][/h3][p]Once the life of every Azooma, Grandpa now prefers the sidelines, showing up more for tradition than talk.[/p][p]He’s the one sitting just outside the commotion, sipping Arabic coffee, watching the drama unfold with the calm of someone who’s lived, loved and done it all in his prime.[/p][p]He won’t stop Jaser from escaping. In fact… sometimes he gives him a quiet nod. Maybe even slides open a side door when no one’s looking.[/p][h3][/h3][p]Just one thing: peace.[/p][p]A quiet corner, a full plate, and no one stepping on his sandals. That’s his dream.[/p][p]He understands Jaser’s struggle more than anyone else, the noise, the questions, the expectations and once in a while, he helps out. Not because he’s rebelling against tradition, but because...[/p][p]"Even the birds must stretch their wings." Grandpa, probably.[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][p]Jaser’s Grandma is a legend and pure love, wrapped in a perfectly tied scarf, and just enough stern energy to keep everyone in check... even Shadad doesn’t dare anger her.[/p][p]She doesn’t believe in letting people go hungry or unloved. If she sees Jaser getting cornered or overwhelmed, she’ll step in whether it’s with advice, protection, or a plate of something warm.[/p]

• [p]Bake Mamool? Legendary.[/p]
• [p]Sense of when someone needs a second helping or a secret cash slip? Impeccable.[/p]
• [p]Willingness to scold you and defend you in the same breath? Always.[/p]

[p]She might slow your escape with a third helping of kabsa…
Or help you out of a tight spot with a perfectly timed distraction.[/p][p]Whatever the case, she’s always watching, always caring.[/p][h3][/h3][p]She might slow your escape by offering you snacks… or help you out of a pickle with a perfectly timed appearance![/p][p]Whatever happens, you’ll remember her.[/p][p]She’s the glue of the household making sure traditions stay intact, one firm scolding at a time.[/p][p]She’s iconic.[/p][p]She’s your greatest ally and most feared obstacle.
[/p][h3][/h3][p] [/p][p]While the young ones are running and playing around,[/p][p]Grandpa and Grandma hold the home steady with love, memory, and just enough chaos management to keep things running.[/p][p]Their presence reminds you:[/p][p]This isn’t just a game about escaping hospitality it’s a game about family, in all its loud, loving, layered complexity.[/p][p]How many times has your Grandma offered you more food… or slipped you money when no one was looking?[/p][p]Or... How many times has your Grandpa told you old stories from when he was young?[/p][p]Share your family stories with us in our humble Discord Community ❤️[/p]

[p][/p][p]In every family gathering, there’s always that cousin.[/p][p]The one who’s always willing to help, carries the trays, clears the plates, defends you from an absolute interrogation and somehow ends up getting blamed for everything.[/p][p]That’s Fadi.[/p][p]Jaser’s cousin, childhood friend, and emotional support during every failed escape attempt.[/p][h3][/h3][p]Fadi’s not just here for the food or to pass time before tea he’s here because he believes in Jaser.[/p][p]Where others see Jaser’s wild plan to escape the gathering as mischief, Fadi sees a dream worth chasing.[/p][p]He doesn’t want the trophy, the glory, or even the last samboosa (okay, maybe just one).[/p][p]All he wants is to help Jaser break free and maybe sneak out with him.
[/p][h3][/h3]

• [p]Help carry snacks? Drops the tray.[/p]
• [p]Be lookout? Door swings open right into his face.[/p]
• [p]Sneak into majlis quietly? Trips over the prayer mat.[/p]

[p]Fadi is the universe’s favorite target for every accident, yet he never complains.[/p][p]Because when you’ve grown up dodging flying sandals, burnt your tongue on hot gahwa (Green Tea), and been blamed for a cousin’s prank,[/p][p]what’s one more catastrophe?[/p][h3][/h3][p]Your accidental ally.[/p][p]The guy who distracts aunties just long enough.[/p][p]The one who says, “I’ll cover for you,” and then gets interrogated for 15 minutes.[/p][p]Fadi isn’t the fastest, the smartest, or the sneakiest[/p][p]but when you need someone you can trust in the heat of cultural chaos, he’s your guy.[/p][h3][/h3][p]Fadi represents that one cousin who always shows up even when the world seems to crash on him.[/p][p]He’s Jaser’s shadow, his conscience, and his biggest fan.[/p][p]💬 Want to share your own Fadi story? Drop it in our Discord and see who else has that one cousin always taking the fall. You might just find your honorary Fadi in there too![/p]

[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 ❤️