Shaping the Caribbean Game Development Scene with Windies Direct

The global game development community is becoming increasingly diverse, with more creators highlighting their local scenes. One such initiative is the Windies Direct showcase, organized by the Jamaica Game Developer Society, which focuses on indie games developed in the Caribbean region. In October 2022, Raccine Malcolm, Zane Francis, Glen Henry, and Graham Reid created the presentation. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, the organizers discussed their motivations and aspirations for shedding light on the island and its diaspora. According to the team, the driving force behind the presentation was multifaceted. Reid stated, "It's been a long time coming, and we've been growing slowly but steadily as a community. We reached a point where we knew we had something worth showcasing." The team also hoped to connect with developers they hadn't met before, and fortunately, that turned out to be the case. Henry added that the event aimed to demonstrate the range of talent in the region and inspire more people to create their own games. Francis explained, "The primary purpose of the event was to create a beacon for our regional developers and the audiences they cater to. We wanted to showcase the talent across the region and its diaspora." The team drew inspiration from events like Wholesome Direct and Game Developers of Color. With the shift to online events during the pandemic, they saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the Caribbean region. Francis noted, "The Caribbean is underrepresented, and we want to bring that representation to the forefront." Reid added, "We thought it was a good time to showcase what we've been working on. The Caribbean has a lot to offer, and who better to showcase it than us, the developers?" With guidance from Alanna Smith and Evva Karr, the co-executive producer and co-creator of the Future of Play Direct, the show received 19 game submissions and featured titles like Hemiogenic Studios' Street Boy, Spritewrench Studios' Duppy Detective Tashia, and Weathered Sweater's Skator Gator 3D. Henry observed that younger and older creators have different influences. "Younger developers have their own set of role models, which makes sense in hindsight. However, this changes the type of games they aspire to create. Older developers like myself might focus more on game feel, drawing inspiration from teams like Vlambeer and arcade games. The new generation is more influenced by games like Undertale and Toby Fox, and they're interested in crafting deep narrative RPGs." Francis emphasized that the games, like their creators, are diverse and inclusive. "Diversity is what it's all about. We want to add our voices to the mix," he said. The team explained that the reaction to the show was overwhelmingly positive and inspiring. Henry stated, "People seem to be consistently surprised that we exist and appreciate what we're doing with the JGDS." The presentation highlighted the Caribbean as a unique blend of cultures with strong influences from Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Native communities. When asked what makes the Caribbean game development scene unique, the JGDS members explained that it's fueled by inspiration and making the most of available resources. Henry noted that game creators are still finding their voices as the region emerges. Francis said, "We have a saying in Jamaica, 'tun yuh hand mek fashion,' which means using what little you have to achieve your goals. I've seen boundless levels of creative exploration across the Caribbean, driven by necessity and limited resources." Reid added, "The Caribbean is poised to create more game experiences inspired by its multifaceted cultural influences. We're a culturally rich and diverse part of the world, and that will shape the voice of our games to varying degrees." The team noted that the community of game makers and educators within the islands focuses on rapidly developing skills. The organizers acknowledged that the past few years paved the way for the first Windies Direct show. "The pandemic has brought about the rise of digital-only events and numerous Discord groups. Over the past two years, I've met many people I wouldn't have met otherwise due to travel costs," Henry said. "These connections helped amplify the message behind the event and allowed us to be taken more seriously than we would have been otherwise," Francis added. The team's Discord network helped Windies Direct gain attention from the public and press coverage from Polygon. Looking ahead, the team has new ideas in the works, including making Windies Direct a yearly event. They plan to partner with platform holders like Valve, Sony, and Nintendo, and approach sponsors to support contributors and volunteers better. "We already have plans to include different types of content going forward. We're excited to collaborate with platform holders in various ways, and it's just a matter of when it makes the most sense and what games people can bring to the table to make another strong showing," Reid said.