The Enduring Impact of Free Lives

Free Lives has become a beacon for the South African game development industry, and its influence extends far beyond its own studio. Every studio visited during Africa Games Week had a story to share about how Free Lives had helped or encouraged them. Managing director Dominique Gawlowski attributes this to the studio's willingness to give back to the community, despite not initially setting out to be a leader in the industry. "We understand that we are seen as a role model, and we've accepted that responsibility," she says. "Our goal is to make great games and create a wonderful work environment, where employees are treated fairly and decently." Free Lives has achieved this while maintaining its independence, self-funding its projects and keeping its team relatively small. The studio's breakout title, Broforce, marked the beginning of its partnership with Devolver, which has published most of its games since then. Free Lives has continued to find success with titles like Genital Jousting, Gorn VR, and Cricket Through the Ages, often releasing games that fill specific niches before the competition becomes too fierce. The studio's latest release, Terra Nil, is a slow-paced, environmentally conscious sim that deviates from its usual satirical style. Free Lives is also working on two new titles, Stick it to the Stickman and Anger Foot, which Gawlowski says are "more in line with the usual Free Lives silliness." A key aspect of Free Lives' success is its commitment to supporting the local game development community. The studio co-funds and organizes Playtopia, a Cape Town-based games event that focuses on bringing developers together to learn from each other. Playtopia features talks, game exhibitions, and networking opportunities, with a emphasis on showcasing African-made games. The event has recently introduced a new section called Indie Planet, which brings international festivals to Playtopia, allowing local developers to experience a wider range of games. Free Lives is in the process of turning Playtopia into a non-profit organization, recognizing that the event will never be self-sustaining and relies on donations to continue. The studio's ambition is to maintain a high standard at Playtopia, providing a platform for African developers to showcase their work and connect with the global gaming community. In addition to Playtopia, Free Lives has established the Maker's Massive, a community for developers that offers a shared office space, game jams, and meetups. The studio also provides prototype grants, with a new initiative called the Jam Dole, which offers 10,000 rands (approximately $530) to developers who submit a playable prototype within a two-week period. This program aims to alleviate the financial stress associated with game development, allowing developers to focus on creating and iterating on their ideas. Gawlowski emphasizes that Free Lives is not looking to invest in every project, but rather to provide a safety net for developers to experiment and learn. The studio's motto is "fail fast," encouraging developers to quickly test and refine their ideas rather than spending excessive time and resources on a single project. While Free Lives may not always have the time for in-depth mentoring, the studio ensures that developers receive prompt feedback, even if it's just a simple "yes" or "no." The Maker's Massive meetups provide an opportunity for developers to discuss their prototypes and receive more detailed feedback from the community. Gawlowski believes that these initiatives will have a positive impact on the local game development industry, with the Jam Dole program feeding into the Maker's Massive meetups and ultimately contributing to the growth of Playtopia. As the conversation concludes, Gawlowski reflects on the challenges of operating in South Africa, but highlights the country's unique quality of life and the potential for the gaming industry to thrive. Despite the difficulties, including limited government funding, Gawlowski remains optimistic about the future of game development in South Africa and Free Lives' role in contributing to its growth.