Unleashing South Africa's Creative Potential Through Collaborative Game Development

Discover our comprehensive coverage of South Africa Games Week on this page. The South African gaming industry boasts a rich history of supporting major global developers through work-for-hire firms, with numerous studios excelling in porting and co-development. Six Peaks Games, founded in 2022 by industry veteran Jason Ried, is a prime example, leveraging decades of experience to make a mark. Ried, who began his career in 2003 and spent eight years in QA and production roles at Eidos and Disney Interactive Studios in the UK, returned to South Africa and decided to establish Six Peaks. As the CEO of Six Peaks and managing director of Fuzzy Logic, a mobile games studio he founded in 2011, Ried aims to focus on co-development, porting, QA, and collaborating with former colleagues from Disney. One of their key partners is Hardball Games, a UK-based studio founded by industry veteran Jason Avent. Six Peaks is integrated into Hardball's team, offering access to talented individuals in a convenient time zone at a competitive rate. This partnership enables South Africans to work on big-budget games without having to relocate. The company currently employs 12 people and plans to expand to 30 staff by the end of the year, with potential publisher partnerships on the horizon. Six Peaks' QA manager Luan Joubert appreciates the shift towards longer-term projects and dedicated focus, unlike the fast turnaround and multiple projects at Fuzzy Logic. The South African gaming industry encompasses a diverse range of companies, including 24 Bit Games and Free Lives, each with their unique strengths. However, the industry faces challenges such as gaining trust from international clients and overcoming logistical hurdles due to government inefficiencies. Ried emphasizes the importance of working around these obstacles and highlights the country's strengths, including its talented computer science engineers and artists. He believes that the key to success lies in creating games for the global market rather than focusing solely on local audiences. Joubert concurs, stating that African game companies can thrive globally without being limited to local themes. To develop a thriving ecosystem, Ried suggests that developers should not rely on government support and instead find ways to overcome challenges. Joubert adds that the South African community is resilient and independent, always finding ways to make things happen despite the lack of government support. Ultimately, Ried envisions a future where successful companies reinvest in the local industry, fostering growth and opportunities for South African developers.