Based on real-life testimonies, emotional narrative adventure We Grew Up in War is set to release on Steam in 2026. Transforming vivid accounts from conflicts in Bosnia, Syria, and Ukraine to a thoughtful gaming experience presented through the eyes of children, players will witness their memories in haunting detail. Supported by the Mementoes Project, developer Charles Games’ goal is to sensitize audiences about the long-term effects of war on children with proven historical research.
Through interactive vignettes, We Grew Up in War tells three interwoven stories of kids growing up through the ravages of armed conflicts. Just like young children have very active imaginations, so do the characters in this somber tale reflect their traumatic lives in different ways. Battling imaginary monsters, solving daily struggles or hanging out with friends in the rubble, every scene seems to carefully portray the resilience of the people who actually went through these impossible hardships.
Created in collaboration with the War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo, the scars of war contrast moments of play with the terror of an uncertain future. Juxtaposing horrific acts of violence with the innocent mind of a child, this unique approach to gameplay proves a powerful means to immerse players. Based on over 100 hours of survivors’ interviews and research from said conflicts to authentically show these childhood experiences of war, every memory unpacked has a goal in mind.
Video games as a medium have the potential to allow a wider breadth of people to explore historical injustices to its more accessible interactivity. Engaging with players through inspiring game mechanics to develop empathy for marginalized groups, it aims to be a thought-provoking one-of-its-kind experience. We Grew Up in War is set to release in 2026 via Steam and can already be wishlisted here.
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