This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
December 14 marked a significant milestone for Kenya's gaming industry as Usiku Games officially opened its doors and the Nairobi Game Development Centre, a high-tech co-working space.
Co-founder Jay Shapiro, a Canadian entrepreneur, hopes to revolutionize the gaming market in Kenya and Africa by offering games that not only provide an 'adrenaline rush' but also subtle messaging on important themes such as conservation, climate change, and culture.
Shapiro's vision is to create games that reflect African heroes and environments, allowing players to see themselves in the game. 'When was the last time you saw an African hero in a video game?' Shapiro asked, highlighting the lack of representation in the gaming industry.
Usiku Games has developed 10 brain-teasing and trivia games aimed at fostering a #GamingForGood culture. The games feature scenarios where players must save lions from poachers or solve traffic congestion. One of the games, 'Turkana,' allows players to direct water from the Kawalasee River to a farm, while 'Jam Noma' lets players drive a local matatu minibus and navigate congestion to complete the journey.
The company employs youths from Nairobi's Kibera, a sprawling informal settlement, to provide voices and produce rap music for the games in English, Swahili, and local slang, Sheng.
Usiku Games plans to charge users about 10 shillings ($0.10) to play a game in the future, with the winner earning coins that can be converted to cash in a mobile savings account to pay school or medical fees.
Gautam Shah, founder of Internet of Elephants, praised Usiku Games' focus on socially responsible games, but noted that their success will rely on how relatable these games are to local users.
