About This Game

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT, MONUMENTAL MILESTONE!!!!!

We listen to our community! Originally designed as a groundbreaking VR experience, we have now adapted it for PC so that this story can live on and be experienced by more people worldwide.

This April 17th — the day Phnom Penh fell, marking the start of Cambodia’s darkest chapter and this year the 50th Anniversary — we released Stay Alive My Son on PC via Steam. This isn’t just a game release. It’s a tribute. A remembrance. A call.

Inspired by the memoir of Pin Yathay, this interactive journey invites audiences to step into the heart of a father’s fight for love, truth, and survival. Now accessible without a headset, it opens the door for more classrooms, more communities, more homes — and more hearts.

When we returned to Cambodia for the International Film Festival (CIFF), we witnessed something unforgettable: young Cambodians stepping into their history for the first time — reclaiming what was once buried in silence. This launch continues that homecoming and you are part of history in the making, in the healing. As the director, Victoria Bousis, said during her speech at CIFF:

“Can we truly heal what has never been fully shared or seen? Through this experience, we don’t just tell a story - we invite people to live it. History is not meant to sit in books unread — it must be lived, remembered, and learned from. And when the headset comes off, there is a deeper call - not just to feel, but to act.”

After the Cambodia International Film Festival, Stay Alive My Son will be housed as a permanent installation at the Extraordinary Chambers of Cambodia (ECCC) Resource Center,  where visitors from around the world will be able to experience this powerful story—for free as our tribute to the resilience of the people of Cambodia. 

OVERVIEW

Spanning over 45 years, Stay Alive My Son (SAMS) is an interactive narrative experience that immerses you in the life of Yathay Pin, a survivor of the Cambodian genocide. Witness history unfold through his eyes, where every decision you make shapes his poignant story of family separation, survival, and resilience. Based on the true events described in Yathay Pin’s novel Tu Vivras Mon Fils (Stay Alive My Son), this game delivers an authentic and deeply moving experience.

Made by a small, purpose-driven team, SAMS is more than an interactive story; it’s a bridge to the past, an exploration of human endurance, and a testament to love, perseverance, and healing.

THE EXPERIENCE

Your journey begins outside Yathay’s home, where you meet an elderly digital recreation of Yathay himself, powered by AI. Through light gameplay mechanics, you delve into the psyche of a father haunted by his past. In a ceremonial rite intertwining your fate with his, your hands become his; his memories become your own. As you descend into his recollections, you embark on a quest for redemption and understanding.

Navigate a labyrinth of memories, uncover the rich history of Cambodia, and confront the defining moments of Yathay’s life—the separation from his family and his desperate search for his son, Nawath. Relive the anguish of a father who never knew his child’s fate, experiencing the emotional depths of love, sorrow, and hope.

In a mythical final journey, you will stand at the heart of Angkor Wat, a beacon of resilience in the darkness of Yathay’s past. In a candle-lit sanctuary, you will uncover the final elusive memory, bringing closure to his lifelong search and revealing the transformative power of forgiveness.

OUR TEAM

With limited resources and over five years in the making, a dedicated team of nine artists and developers set out to tell this story with heart. We believed in using technology to shape culture and society, delivering an immersive experience with a mission to change the modern-day narrative of family separation into one of reunification.

Carrying PCs and VR headsets in suitcases, we traveled across 28 countries, screening SAMS for thousands of audiences, technologists, policymakers, NGOs, and Heads of State. Our mission has always been to humanize the trauma of family separation and urge global action.

By bringing Stay Alive My Son to PC, we are ensuring that this powerful story reaches even more people worldwide. Your support is not just for this project; it is a movement for change. It is a beacon of hope, a light in the darkness, and a tribute to the enduring strength of survivors everywhere.

We thank you!!!

Victoria, our cast, crew, and team at UME Studios

CAST & TEAM

Written & Directed By: Victoria Bousis

CAST:

Elodie Yung - “Any” - (Cleaning Lady, Marvel’s Daredevil, GI Joe Retaliation)

Arnold Chun - “Young Thay” - (Man in the High Castle, Bullet Train)

Vincent Rodriguez - “Khmer Rouge Soldier” - (Mortal Kombat 1, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Raya & the Last Dragon)

Abraham Sigler - “Sudath” - (Disney’s Wish, Raya & the Last Dragon)

Lucas Sigler - “Nawath” - (Disney’s Wish)

Kostas Filippoglou - “Old Thay” - (Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Wild Bees)

PRODUCTION STUDIO: UME Studios

AI Generated Content Disclosure

The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this:

In "Stay Alive My Son," artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role at two distinct points in the game to enhance player immersion and emotional engagement. Specifically, AI is employed during an interaction with Yathay Pin's digital replica in Level 01 and once again in Level 06. This is programmed directly using existing Unreal Engine Blueprints nodes.

The AI integration is meticulously designed to enable Yathay's digital eyes to follow the player's movements continuously. This technology ensures that Yathay appears to be directly engaging with the player, fostering a deeper emotional connection. The purpose behind this AI application is to intensify the sense of direct communication and interaction with Yathay, thereby amplifying the player's emotional investment and empathy towards his journey and experiences.

Mature Content Description

The developers describe the content like this:

"Stay Alive, My Son" is a narrative-driven experience based on the harrowing true events of a father's survival during the Cambodian genocide post-Vietnam War. This virtual reality game aims to present an authentic representation of this historical period, which necessitates the inclusion of mature content.

Players will encounter historically accurate elements, such as 3D representations of wartime artifacts (including guns), human skeletons, and environmental details like wall decals depicting dried blood. It's important to note that while the game includes these mature themes, it does not feature any direct acts of violence.

The inclusion of such content is essential for maintaining the integrity of the story, ensuring accurate world-building, and providing players with a true-to-life reflection of the events and setting portrayed. This approach allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the historical context and the personal struggles faced during this time.

We advise players who may be sensitive to topics of war and its effects to approach "Stay Alive, My Son" with some caution. The game is intended for a mature audience and may not be suitable for younger players. We recommend discretion and encourage players to consider their comfort levels with such themes before engaging with the game."