Julia Sebastien's new video game, StrangeLand, is set to launch in June 2026. It aims to shed light on the challenges faced by Jewish students at Ivy League campuses, focusing on antisemitism and the complexities of student life.
Game Design and Concept
StrangeLand guides players through the experiences of a Jewish graduate student navigating academic and cultural challenges in the 2010s. Key scenarios include balancing religious observance with academic commitments and handling discriminatory remarks. The game seeks to educate players on the nuanced choices Jewish students make, without framing the experience as a win-lose situation.
The game deliberately avoids topics like Zionism to target a broader audience, aiming to foster a safe, learning environment. Its retro, pixelated design, drawing inspiration from classic handheld games, is meant to make the subject matter approachable yet engaging.
Development and Educational Goals
Funded partially by the Maimonides Fund, StrangeLand is Sebastien's most ambitious project to date. It features stories based on Sebastien’s own experiences and those of other Jewish students and alumni, collected through surveys. The game encourages empathy and understanding of Jewish campus life, hoping to be included in DEI curricula.
According to Sebastien, StrangeLand could serve as a valuable educational tool, allowing educators to explore the intricacies and pressures Jewish students endure. Sebastien's previous works have also focused on academic life and have appeared in academic publications.
