The New Video Game Immersing Players In The Golden Age of Islam

May 2, 2026 - 01:31

A new online game is sending players on a quest through history, where they must collect ancient artifacts and solve puzzles to preserve the knowledge of the Islamic Golden Age. The game, called "Vanished: Puzzle Quest," was created by Unity Productions Foundation, an organization dedicated to fighting bigotry and Islamophobia through media.

The developers say a video game was the natural choice to reach a broad audience. "The gaming industry is actually larger than film and music combined," said UPF Assistant Producer Ariella Gayotto Hohl.

Executive Producer Alex Kronemer explained the thinking behind the project. "There's an audience who will never watch a film or never watch a documentary. So how do you also reach that audience? And that was the idea of doing a game."

The game's release comes at a time of heightened discussion around Islamophobia in the United States. The creators also discussed the current geopolitical climate and whether even Mehdi Hasan, who admits he was never good at video games, could master "Vanished."

Unity Productions Foundation has a track record of producing documentary films that challenge stereotypes. With "Vanished: Puzzle Quest," they are stepping into the interactive space, hoping to engage younger audiences who might not sit down for a traditional documentary. The game aims to educate players about a period of history often overlooked in mainstream media, highlighting the scientific, mathematical, and cultural contributions made during the Islamic Golden Age.