Studio Bolland: Navigating the Highs and Lows of South Africa's Game Development Scene

As part of our South Africa Games Week coverage, we've been exploring the local game development scene, featuring established studios like Nyamakop, 24 Bit Games, Sea Monster Entertainment, and Free Lives, as well as newer entrants like Six Peaks Games. Studio Bolland, an animation studio founded in 2014 in Cape Town, is one such new player, having made its foray into game development in 2023. Despite not having shipped a commercial game yet, the studio has made significant strides, with managing director Richard Bolland, also an animator and game designer, at the helm. Bolland recalls the advice they received from industry veterans: "Don't start with a big game; instead, create multiple small prototypes and see what works." This approach led to the development of 12 prototypes in 12 months, with each one being released on itch.io to gather feedback, analyze metrics, and inform future decisions. The team also participated in game jams, including one for idle games, which taught them valuable lessons about the genre. One of their prototypes, Idle Sands, unexpectedly gained thousands of players, prompting the team to conduct market research and realize that 16,000 players on a web-based idle game was not as impressive as they thought. This experience taught them to be more realistic about their expectations and to continue creating prototypes until they find one that resonates with players. Studio Bolland also found success with their point-and-click adventure game, Cabin Pressure, which garnered a few thousand plays. Bolland notes that smaller niches can be beneficial, as they may attract a dedicated audience, even if the player base is smaller. The studio took Cabin Pressure to Gamescom 2023, where they received some interest, but no publishing deal. Undeterred, they continue to create new prototypes while refining their approach, now conducting market research before starting game development to better understand their target audience. Bolland acknowledges the challenges of being an indie game developer, especially in an industry where 99% of games fail commercially. However, he believes that making prototypes until one succeeds is a viable strategy, and Studio Bolland is well-positioned to take this approach, thanks to their profitable animation studio, which funds their game development endeavors. Bolland describes the South African game development scene as incredibly supportive, with successful studios like Free Lives providing opportunities for others to grow. He notes that the industry is not without its challenges, including a scarcity of senior talent and game designers with commercial game experience. Nevertheless, he is optimistic about the future, citing the presence of Xbox and Sony, as well as funding opportunities, as positive developments for the industry. Bolland also touches on the issue of diversity in the South African game development scene, acknowledging that the industry is still predominantly white and male. However, he notes that there is a growing awareness and desire for change, with efforts being made to incentivize people of color to take on leadership roles and promote diversity in the industry. Overall, Studio Bolland's journey serves as a testament to the potential of South Africa's game development scene, and their story offers valuable insights for aspiring developers looking to make their mark in the industry.