What Makes a Game Truly African?

Thought Piece: Defining African Gaming

It's a question we get asked often: What makes a game 'African'? Is it the language? The imagery? The creators? The answer is both simple and complex.

It's Not Just About Geography

A game isn't African simply because it was made in Africa. It's African when it carries our stories, reflects our realities, and resonates with our experiences.

It's About Authenticity

An African game speaks in voices we recognize. It references moments we've lived. It makes us laugh at jokes only we understand. It doesn't try to be universal—it's unapologetically specific, and that's what makes it universal.

It's About Representation

When a child sees themselves in a game—their language, their neighborhood, their humor—that's when a game becomes truly African. It's about creating space for our narratives in an industry that has often overlooked them.

It's About Innovation

African games don't just copy what exists. They innovate, they experiment, they bring fresh perspectives to gameplay, storytelling, and design.

The Answer

What makes a game truly African? It's when you play it and think, 'This was made for us, by us.' It's when game night feels like home.

That's the standard we hold ourselves to at Niko Kadi. That's the future we're building.