Limpho Moeti: Key to South Africa's Gaming Future Lies in Collaboration

Limpho Moeti has spent nearly eight years in the South African gaming industry, starting at Free Lives and rising through the ranks as she fell in love with the industry and production. She co-founded and directed the Cape Town-based gaming event Playtopia for almost five years, then joined Nyamakop, the developer of Semblance, for over three years, helping the studio grow from three to 25 people. Since January 2023, Moeti has been the business development manager at RocketRide Games, a consulting agency that guides studios through development and connects them with funding sources. The agency works with developers in emerging markets, including South America, South-East Asia, and Africa, and has clients worldwide. Moeti explains that RocketRide Games provides support from pre-production to post-launch, focusing on creative direction, executive production, and marketing. She believes in a win-win approach, prioritizing the developer's success and sustainable growth. Moeti has been involved in the South African gaming community, organizing game jams, speaking at events, and participating in panels. She is passionate about growing the industry, creating a sustainable and representative market that reflects the country's diversity. Moeti has witnessed the growth of the South African gaming industry and highlights its strengths, including immense talent and increasing funding opportunities. She notes that it is becoming easier for studios to secure funding and develop games across various platforms. The industry is also seeing more focus on game design, production, and business development, with a growing number of studios and developers. Moeti emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the industry, citing the sense of community and mutual support among developers. She believes that this collaborative spirit is essential for the industry's growth and success. However, Moeti also acknowledges the structural challenges facing the industry, including load shedding, funding, and support. The cost of making games is a significant barrier, particularly in South Africa, where most people cannot afford to spend years developing a prototype without a steady income. The cost of attending industry events, such as the Game Developers Conference (GDC) or Gamescom, is also prohibitively expensive for many developers. Moeti notes that the average monthly salary in South Africa is around 25,000 rand (approximately $1,310), making it difficult for developers to attend international events. The cheapest GDC ticket costs $1,049, excluding travel and accommodation expenses. Moeti believes that this poses a significant barrier to entry and access for many developers. She also notes that government support for the gaming industry is virtually non-existent, which she attributes to the industry's rapid changes and complexity. Moeti hopes that the government will invest in the industry, but acknowledges that this will require significant effort and investment. She cites examples of emerging markets, such as Malaysia and the Philippines, which have received substantial government support. Looking ahead, Moeti envisions a massive gaming industry in South Africa, with a diverse range of studios and publishers across mobile, PC, and console platforms. She hopes to see more companies, including medium-sized and indie studios, that can release games and sustain themselves over time. Moeti believes that the industry has the potential to become a hub for excellent games and services, and she is committed to helping it grow and thrive.