Collaboration is Crucial for the Future of South Africa's Gaming Industry

Limpho Moeti has been a part of the South African gaming industry for nearly eight years, starting her career at Free Lives and later working her way up as her passion for the industry and production grew. She played a key role in creating and running the Cape Town-based gaming event Playtopia as deputy festival director for almost five years. Moeti then moved to Nyamakop, the developer of Semblance, where she worked on production and business development for over three years, witnessing the studio grow from three to approximately 25 people. Since January 2023, she has been the business development manager at RocketRide Games, a consulting agency that guides studios through their development cycle and helps them connect with funding sources. The agency works with developers in emerging markets, including South America, South-East Asia, and Africa, and has clients from all over the world. 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 collaborative approach, where everyone wins, and the focus is on 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 sector that reflects the country's diversity. With her experience, Moeti has witnessed the growth of the South African gaming industry over the past few years. She highlights the immense talent in the country and the increasing number of studios receiving funding. However, she also notes the structural challenges, such as load shedding, funding, and support. Moeti emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the industry, where studios help each other grow without hindering each other's progress. She also discusses the cost of making games, including the cost of prototypes, travel, and networking. Moeti believes that events like Africa Games Week and Playtopia are vital in connecting developers with the wider industry and providing opportunities for growth. She hopes for a massive gaming industry in South Africa, with local publishers across mobile, PC, and consoles, and envisions a future with a mix of AAA, AA, and indie studios, as well as a thriving services sector.