Nyamakop: Unlocking the Demand for African-Created Content Globally

Nyamakop, a renowned South African game development studio, has been making waves since its inception in 2016. Founded by Ben Myres, Judd Simantov, and others, the studio initially aimed to turn a university project into a commercial game, resulting in the 2018 release of Semblance, the first African-developed IP on any Nintendo console. Currently, the team is working on an unannounced, large-scale project that showcases African-inspired themes, capitalizing on the growing demand for African-created content worldwide, as seen in the success of Black Panther, Nollywood, and Afrobeats. Nyamakop's goal is to produce high-quality, African-inspired games for a global audience, pushing the boundaries of what has been achieved on the continent before. With a team of 30 people, the studio has adopted a hybrid work model, combining remote work with regular office days, to foster diversity and inclusion. This approach has allowed Nyamakop to hire individuals from related industries who have never shipped games before, bringing fresh perspectives to the table. However, this also presents communication challenges, which the studio is addressing by implementing effective management and training systems. Having partnered with Good Shepherd for Semblance, Nyamakop will collaborate with a publisher again for its upcoming title, ensuring safety and stability in the unpredictable game development industry. Funding remains a significant challenge for game developers in South Africa, with many struggling to create a minimum viable product due to limited access to resources and generational wealth. Myres acknowledges that the South African game development industry is predominantly white male-dominated, with only six major studios, all owned and run by white men. In contrast, Nyamakop boasts a diverse team, with around 80% of staff being people of color. The studio aims to provide stable employment opportunities for diverse individuals, enabling them to enter the industry and gain experience. Myres emphasizes the importance of creating a more diverse and inclusive game development industry, where people of color can thrive and create content that resonates with a broader audience. To address the funding conundrum, Nyamakop is exploring alternative solutions, such as co-production and collaborations with other studios. The team is also working to educate developers on creating fundable projects and navigating the complex game development landscape. Load shedding, a common issue in South Africa, poses a significant challenge for game development, with the country experiencing regular power outages. To mitigate this, Nyamakop has invested in backup generators and uninterrupted power supplies, ensuring that work can continue uninterrupted. Looking ahead, Myres is optimistic about the future of Nyamakop and the South African game development industry as a whole. With the right funding and support, he believes that African-inspired games can gain global recognition, paving the way for a more diverse and vibrant game development ecosystem. By demonstrating the viability of African-inspired games, Nyamakop hopes to inspire others to create content that showcases the continent's unique culture and creativity, ultimately establishing a thriving game development industry that can compete on the world stage.