Middelburg and the Dreams of a Young Man
A rising star in South Africa’s gaming scene, Devlyn van der Walt grew up in the sleepy hamlet of Middelburg, 100 miles east of Johannesburg, where he dreamed of something that seemed impossible. Even as a primary school student, van der Walt was engrossed in video games and even made his paper versions of them. He would create elaborate worlds and narratives in a ring binder and then transform them into crude video games. Though they were simplistic compared to today’s video games, his early works sparked a passion that would shape his career.
Van der Walt remained resolute in his pursuit of his passion even though Middelburg did not have a flourishing game development scene. Along with his academic schooling, he taught himself game development abilities, and he trained to be a software developer. He worked his way up the ladder and is now an employee at 24 Bit Games, a studio in Johannesburg that has been making waves in the gaming industry both at home and abroad, thanks to his unwavering commitment. Van der Walt is now enjoying the chances and difficulties of his position, which allows him to contribute to an industry that is expanding and getting more and more prominence.
Nicolina Visentin-E’Silva and the “Wall of Fame” at 24 Bit Games
24-Bit Games: A Support System for the Expanding Game Industry in South Africa
While relatively young, South Africa’s video game sector is already making waves. Van der Walt’s workplace, 24 Bit Games, is emblematic of this new wave of success. Nicolina Visentin-E’Silva, manager of the studio, is justifiably proud of the company’s “wall of fame” of achievements. Here, you may see games like “Broforce,” which has a regional twist, and “Cocoon,” which was nominated for four 2023 Bafta Games Awards.
Greater access to junior-level talent, which is being fostered by an increase in game development courses at universities, is largely responsible for the company’s success, according to Visentin-E’Silva. Furthermore, she stresses that South Africa has its own distinct “can-do” culture. She smiles and continues, “South Africans are just a different bunch.” Our ability to adjust has never wavered. We will professionally complete the task regardless of the method.
A well-known Californian game publisher, Annapurna Interactive, took notice of 24 Bit Games in November and eventually acquired it. The worldwide community’s increasing fascination in South Africa’s video game industry and the studio’s promising future are both highlighted by this acquisition.
Video Game Sales in South Africa are on the Rise
Not only are South African creators making waves in the industry, but the country is also rapidly expanding its video game market. According to GWI analyst Chris Beer, South Africans are among the most devoted gamers in the world. They are also more likely to use cell phones, personal computers, and gaming consoles than the typical person. South Africans are the most prolific users of gambling or betting applications globally, and they have a penchant for sports-themed games like racing and fighting games.
The more diverse the crowds at South African gaming events are, it becomes clear that the gaming culture is thriving there. Over the last 20 years, the rAge expo, a countrywide flagship event for digital entertainment and gaming, has witnessed an increase in both the size and diversity of its audience. According to Michael James, rAge’s project director, the event has grown in popularity and now draws people of all ages, ethnicities, and genders from all across South Africa.
South Africa’s Gaming Industry: Overcoming Obstacles
The South African gambling business is confronted with substantial obstacles, notwithstanding the encouraging developments. A prominent esports pundit named Sam Wright notes that a large portion of South Africa’s youth lack the financial means to purchase the gear and subscribe to the internet that many gamers require. “We do have a gap in developing the audience because the majority of young people that I speak to cannot actually afford to game because of the cost of the [internet] data and the tech,” according to her.
With the gaming business shifting away from physical game copies and toward digital items and subscriptions, the high cost of internet connectivity in South Africa poses a specific hurdle. This problem hinders the expansion of the gaming culture in the nation by limiting the availability of internet gaming.
How South African Game Developers Will Shape the Future
The video game business in South Africa is showing signs of tremendous development potential as it develops further. There is a rising tide of skilled programmers, more attention from around the world, and a booming domestic market, all of which point to a massive boom in the sector. The problems of accessibility and affordability, however, must be resolved before its potential can be fully exploited.
