Video game alerts players about the risks related to Islamic extremism - Video game raises alarm about Islamist ideologies.
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is set to release a new computer game in February 2026, titled "Who is Bilal?" Developed by Berlin studio Paintbucket Games, this game aims to tackle the issue of radicalization and disinformation among young people online. The game is not considered a toy, but a tool for prevention, as stated by Interior Minister Herbert Reul and Media Minister Nathanael Liminski, both from the CDU party.
The game's narrative revolves around a friendship between the player and a boy named Finn, who has renamed himself Bilal. As the player, you are tasked with convincing Bilal to leave the Islamic scene. The game is designed to be more communicative and interactive compared to previous games such as "Leon's Identity," which focused on drifting into the right-wing scene.
The development of "Who is Bilal?" came after the Islamic attack in Solingen last year, and it is expected to cost the state 410,000 euros. The game will be available as an app and is estimated to take about two hours to play through.
The game has been involved with the state's Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the NRW Interior Ministry, and it is part of a broader effort to leverage computer games for social innovation, education, and prevention of radicalization. The goal is to reach as many young people as possible with the game, as they spend a significant amount of time online.
While empirical data on its effectiveness is not yet available, the game is recognized for its potential impact as a novel preventive measure against Islamic radicalization and extremism. The release of "Who is Bilal?" at the 2025 gamescom congress underscores its importance in the fight against social extremism and disinformation.
Interior Minister Reul stated that prevention work should be done in the internet and gaming world, and Liminski added that they are using gamification because radicalization is happening online. The state had previously commissioned a similar game called "Leon's Identity," which was released in 2020 and has had around 350,000 downloads since then.
In conclusion, "Who is Bilal?" represents a promising educational tool aimed at young people to prevent extremism by fostering understanding and awareness through an immersive gaming experience. Concrete evidence on its effectiveness will likely emerge after its release and subsequent evaluation.
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