The gaming industry reached 2.3 billion consumers and nearly US$138 billion in spending in 2018, with South Africa home to over 11 million gamers and R3,060 million in spending in 2017, marking a 16.8% increase due to mobile gaming and eSports. The local sector consists of 59 companies, primarily in the Western Cape, generating R476 million in 2017/2018. Future projections indicate South Africa’s video game market will generate ZAR 9.15 billion by 2024 and ZAR 11.32 billion by 2027, with significant contributions from the Download Games segment and user growth anticipated to reach 8.6 million by 2027. (“Video game industry,” Wikipedia)
The video games sector in South Africa is one of the largest markets for video games and esports in Africa, surpassing the market value of both movies and music, and continues to grow rapidly. Major retailers like GAME 4U dominate the physical and online gaming market, while distributors like Apex Interactive and Core Group support local sales. Despite facing challenges such as limited local investment and regulatory hurdles, the industry has produced notable titles like Broforce, Desktop Dungeons, and Terra Nil with local developers like the independent Free Lives and 24 Bit Games creating successful games.
On top of this, local narratives are finding representation in gaming, positioning South Africa as a vibrant player in the global industry, with its teams participating in international competitions since 2009 and the gaming community expanding amid growing interest and investment. The rise of the internet and social media has transformed South Africa’s gaming landscape by increasing accessibility and fostering community through platforms like Discord and Twitch. This shift has led to a thriving esports scene, highlighted by events like the NAG LAN, and the emergence of indie developers gaining international recognition.
Festival Name: Joburg Games Festival
Date and Time: 26 October – 09:00 – 22:00
Location: Goethe-Institut Johannesburg (119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg)
Organizers: Goethe-Institut, Nyamakop, 24Bit Games, ITTHYNK, Two Name Games
We are excited to announce the first Joburg Games Fest to be held this October. The Joburg Games Fest is a community-driven event for game makers. The event is a celebration of making games, creating art, collaborating, and growing the game development community in Johannesburg. The Joburg Games Fest is an opportunity for everyone to learn, share, create, and have fun with like-minded people.
The Joburg Games Fest will include a series of talks and workshops from local and international industry professionals. These speakers represent the growing industry and will tackle conversations about the business, art, and creation of games. Workshops will provide space for young entrepreneurs and those seeking to enhance their skills and creativity. The festival will also feature a curated arcade, showcasing some of the best games made in the country and city alike.
In curating the workshops, talks, and games, we have ensured that voices are given to diFFerent areas of our community. We have speakers from education, industry, government, and international entrepreneurs. Created by the community, the Joburg Games Fest will be a place for makers and players. The event is being run in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg and major studios in the city, including Nyamakop, 24 Bit Games, ITTHYNK, and Two Name Games.
We look forward to having you join our community! Tickets are available now, and you can register for the event here. Registration is open until the event. Please also reach out to us if you have any questions or require further information. We look forward to celebrating play and games with you soon! For a taste of the festival, you can join us for our monthly meetups every second Thursday of the month at the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg.
Contact us at info@twonamegames.com for more information.
*Thumbnail Image courtesy of Kari Bjorn Photography via Unsplash
