"Too often, the opportunity knocks, but by the time you push back the chain, push back the bolt, unhook the two locks and shut off the burglar alarm, it's too late" - Rita Coolidge.
It's essential to be prepared for valuable opportunities. And that is why I decided to compile 5 invaluable funds for African Game Developers with background information on some of the beneficiaries, who started these funds, when and why. May this year find your doors open and ready to receive one of these or similar opportunities.
African Game Dev Prototype
When was it started?
It was started in 2021.
Who started it?
Games Industry Africa (GIA) and The Indie Houses.
Their aim
They aim to alleviate some of the challenges game developers face while trying to fund their ideas and projects. They provide a non-recoupable fund for the creators on the continent to develop a minimum viable product (MVP).
How much is the funding?
The fund is about $10k. It is paid in installments based on projected milestones and deliverables agreed by both parties.
Who are some recipients of the fund?
Riziki by Weza Interactive Entertainment (Kenya) – $8000. Riziki is a narrative rhythm game that takes its players through an experience of beautiful African music.
Project Flushy by Zerocape Studios (Nigeria) – $10000. It is an atmospheric mix between 2D Procedural Puzzle Platforming and 3D Survival Strategy that is all about a son on a quest to save his scientist father captured in a strange quantum world.
Dungeon Crawler by Tiny Baby Crown (South Africa) – $7000. This is a dungeon crawler game where you are tasked with saving your friends, stopping the goblin horde and slaying the king.
Everlasting Guilt by Geeky Mouse (Egypt) – $7000. Everlasting Guilt is a dungeon punk themed game that revolves around boss fights: each with a unique approach, its own mechanics and favoured weapons to use against.
Humble Bundle's Black Game Developer Fund
When was it started?
It was started in 2020.
Who started it?
It was started by Humble Games.
Their aim
Black Game Developer Fund was created in response to the Black Lives Matter Movement which grew worldwide momentum in 2020 following the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaoud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. Humble Games was among the companies that lived up to their inclusivity pledge through the fund and by hiring members of the black game developer community such as Sithe Ncube and Justin Woodward.
How much is the funding?
$1million cumulatively.
Who are some recipients of the fund?
Amma: Chronicles of Lost Stars by Joinplay Games (Cameroon) – Approximately $40,000 (They shared $200,000 with 4 other developers to create playable builds for their games.)
This game is a story-driven 3D "afro fantasy" action-adventure role-playing game set in a magical world. It features music and a narrative inspired by Dogon mythology. The Dogon are a desert-dwelling tribe in Mali.
SpielFabrique African Games Co-Production
When was it started?
It was started in 2019.
Who started it?
It was started by SpielFabrique, a Franco-German accelerator focused on young game studios.
Their aim
Their co-production market is a meeting space where people can network and develop projects together. They aim to facilitate networking between African and European studios which in turn will lead to collaborative project development.
How much is the funding?
€10,000 grant and mentorship from Ubisoft experts.
Who are some recipients of the fund?
Usoni by Jiwe Studios (Kenya) – €10,000. Usoni is based on a book of the same name which is set in the year 2063 when Europe has exhausted all its resources. Africa becomes the cradle of hope, and all have their eyes set on seeing the sun again.
Awa: The Unmasked by Kayfo Game Studio (Senegal) – €10,000. The game centres around Awa who is commanded by the Goddess of order to save her village and her brother from the cursed masks unleashed by the God of Chaos.
Hiru by Kunta Content (Kenya) – €10,000. The game centres around HIRU, the teenage son of a Maasai king. He embarks on a quest for vengeance and redemption for his family, while also seeking to "retire" the poachers and safeguard Maasai ancestral lands from environmental destruction.
IGDA's Diverse Game Developers Fund
When was it started?
It was started in 2021.
Who started it?
It was started by International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Foundation and Grant for the Web.
Their aim
They aim to help developers explore monetization options with global applicability as an alternative to relying on traditional models of revenue generation.
How much is the funding?
$200,000 for independent developers and studios and $50,000 for academic scholarships
Who are some recipients of the fund?
Conqueror of Words by Arutu Gaming (Nigeria) – $25,000. Conqueror of Words is a guessing game where players have to combine their knowledge of word compositions, probability and sheer luck to win. To begin each level, a word is displayed to the player, with each letter of the displayed word on a card. The cards are then flipped over and scrambled. Players then have to predict whether each card contains a consonant or a vowel.
Takunda Chingozo (Zimbabwe)
Nchima Kapoma (South Africa)
David Olamide (Nigeria)
George Odongo Ahere (Kenya)
When was it started?
It was started in 2021.
Who started it?
Fak'ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival & Wits School of the Arts, supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Goethe Institut in Nairobi and Dakar.
Their aim
The aim of the Bootcamp is to create a community of practice, exchange and growth for the 'to market' aspect of the Digital Games and Immersive Media sectors. The Bootcamp was made for intermediaries such as publishers, content aggregators and marketers from the two sectors.
How much is the funding?
$5000.
Who are some recipients of the fund?
African Digital Media Institute (ADMI) - Their initiative revolves around creating work opportunities for entry-level game professionals (Kenya).
Kayfo Games- Senegalese Playtesting Lab (Senegal).
Slim Media- They aim to elevate cultured and diverse communities through esports and technology (South Africa).
In the spirit of being ready for opportunities, it is also important to maintain an abundance mindset. Another person's success does not in any way deplete the success that is coming your way. You deserve abundance as much as the next person.
On that note, if you know of any more funds that are helpful to African Game Developers feel free to leave them in the comment section. Let's keep our doors open for these opportunities together.
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