Tapping into South Africa's Talent Pool through Collaborative Game Development

Discover our collection of South Africa Games Week articles on this page. The South African gaming industry has a rich history of supporting major global developers through work-for-hire firms, with several studios excelling in porting and co-development. Six Peaks Games, founded in 2022 by Jason Ried, a veteran of the gaming industry since 2003, is one such example. Ried, who spent his early career in QA and production roles at Eidos and Disney Interactive Studios in the UK, went on to found Fuzzy Logic, a mobile games studio that later specialized in AR and VR. Still at the helm of Fuzzy Logic, Ried now leads Six Peaks Games, driven by a desire to stay in South Africa and contribute to its gaming landscape. "Fuzzy Logic had become comfortable, but not challenging enough," Ried reflects. "We were successful, but our work had shifted towards training programs for mining and automotive companies, which, ironically, had moved to the UK. I wasn't fulfilled working on those projects daily." The inception of Six Peaks Games marked a return to Ried's gaming roots, focusing on co-development, porting, QA, and collaborating with former Disney colleagues. One notable partnership is with Hardball Games, founded by industry veteran Jason Avent, where Six Peaks serves as a co-dev partner. "We're fully integrated into their team, working on long-term projects, including development and art creation in South Africa, alongside building a significant QA studio for them and other developers we're working with," Ried explains. This partnership highlights the benefits of leveraging South African talent, with Ried noting, "Many South Africans aspire to work on big-budget games but often lack the opportunity. By offering this chance without requiring them to relocate, we're providing exposure to AA and AAA games." Six Peaks aims to grow, currently employing 12 people with plans to expand to 30 staff by the end of the year. The company is in discussions with a potential publisher partner, which could significantly accelerate its growth. Ried emphasizes the ambition to work on more prominent, publicly recognized games, prioritizing co-development over developing their own IP for now. Luan Joubert, Six Peaks' QA manager, welcomes the shift towards longer-term, dedicated projects compared to the fast-paced, multiple-project environment of Fuzzy Logic. "The challenge with Fuzzy Logic was managing a high volume of projects with tight deadlines. In contrast, Six Peaks allows for a more focused approach, which is a welcome change," Joubert says. Ried acknowledges the diverse landscape of the South African gaming industry, mentioning companies like 24 Bit Games and Free Lives, each carving out their unique niche. He reflects on the historical challenges faced by South African developers, including overcoming perceptions of distance and time zone differences, and the difficulty in securing budgets and trust from international partners. However, Ried also highlights the strengths of South Africa, particularly its universities, which produce a wealth of talented computer science engineers eager to work in the gaming industry. "Unlike in places like the UK, where these graduates might opt for more lucrative industries like banking, in South Africa, they are keen to work in games. This presents a significant opportunity for developers, engineers, and artists," Ried notes. Joubert concurs, adding, "You can have an African games company and still cater to a global market. It's not necessary to focus solely on an African audience." Discussing the role of the South African government, Ried suggests that developers should not rely on government support but instead find ways to work around the challenges posed by bureaucracy and logistics. "The government's ineptitude means we must be self-sufficient. Instead of waiting for change or assistance, we find solutions to problems like customs and electricity supply. Our studio, for example, operates using inverters and batteries," Ried advises. Joubert echoes this sentiment, pointing to the resilient, independent nature of the South African gaming community. "There's always a way around obstacles. People make things happen, regardless of government support. This outlook is quintessentially South African," Joubert says. Ried concludes on a positive note, envisioning a future where successful South African companies reinvest in the local gaming ecosystem, fostering growth and development over the next five years.