Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office (ATO) is announcing a two-day Xbox Game Studios Game Camp in Africa. To empower African creators to realize their potential in the gaming industry through unique learning experiences from industry leaders. The conference will run from July 15th – 16th, 2023.
The two full days events are themed “The Journey of a Game” and will offer multiple perspectives on the complex craft of game development. In addition, there will be online learning components to the camp, which will allow participants to engage with focused training modules on topics that align closely with their skills and interests, before and after the event.
While the camp is available online for all registered campers, Game Camp will also host in-person viewing events for 100 selected campers at the Microsoft campuses in Cairo, Johannesburg, Lagos, and Nairobi. These sites will offer viewing parties on-site panel sessions and opportunities to meet with Microsoft and Xbox personnel. Furthermore, teams or individuals with games to pitch are encouraged to do so.
To participate, individuals must be of legal age, reside in any country on the African continent, and be studying or working part or full-time in the field of software development, visual arts, 3D, music and audio, web design, narrative design, or professional project management. See the complete list of participation requirements at Xbox.com.
“At Xbox, we’re on a mission to bring the joy and community of gaming to the world’s 3 billion gamers and we recognize that Africa is home to the largest population of youth in the world, many who love to play. In 2019 I attended the opening of our Africa Development Centre and met with tech leaders, educators, and developers from across the region to understand their vision for the future of game creation. Through the inaugural Xbox Game Studios Camp Africa, in collaboration with Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office, we have an opportunity to continue to deepen our relationships with talented developers in region and help African games studios realize their vision and role in the global gaming industry,” said Phil Spencer, CEO, Gaming at Microsoft.
The Xbox Game Studios Game Camp program is an initiative that unifies various Xbox initiatives under one umbrella where talent is celebrated and game developers are empowered to pursue their dreams.
“At Microsoft, we are excited to enable African game developers and creators to build faster through access to tools and resources, and to help their games be discovered by players in Africa and around the world. We want to grow strong roots in this significant market for gaming and game development. The ATO and Xbox personnel will also combine efforts to identify game studios to invest in through our Startups acceleration program and venture capital investment partners. I’m looking forward to seeing what innovative concepts this Game Camp produces,” says Wael Elkabbany, Strategic Initiatives Lead for Microsoft CEMA.
MTN Gaming Conference brings the gaming community in Ghana together. Providing a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas on the development of interactive and immersive game experiences. As well as how to shape the future of the gaming industry in Ghana and Africa.
The gaming industry in Ghana seems like an untapped resource as global gaming market revenues are projected to exceed $525 billion by 2023. Newzoo’s insight into the global games market share shows Europe, Middle East and Africa at only 21 percent. As a result of this potential, MTN believes rallying the community together will help it grow and increase economic gains.
MTN Gaming Conference highlights
https://youtu.be/soOr0c-SBrQ
Speakers at the event include Johana Riquier, Business Development Manager at game software development company Unity. Eric Elder, CEO Online Worlds Entertainment, Eyram Tawia, CEO of Leti Arts and Triforce Johnson, CEO Empire Arcadia.
Conversations from keynotes, panel and break out sessions centered on using education as a way to grow the industry. Creating relevant African content and how game developers can fund their projects.
Angry Birds, Peter Vesterbacka, joins via chat
Former chief marketing officer of Rovio Mobile Ltd, Peter Vesterbacka and Mighty Eagle of Angry Birds joins event via video call. Watch video below as he speaks to the audience about the business of gaming. He shared the history of Rovio and how it took Rovio 51 tries to get to hit game Angry Birds.
https://youtu.be/dKV4trmKR2Q
Peter joins at 6:00
The event hosted by MTN Ghana Limited took place at the Accra Digital Center, Accra.
This 3rd one is in partneship with Africa Digital Media Institue(ADMI), a digital media and technology training institute. The partnership will see ADMI establish a dynamic apprenticeship platform for mobile application and game development students.
Microsoft 4Afrika Regional Director Amrote Abdella, said this at the launch of the AppFactory. “Students will acquire skills in programming, cloud computing, and data analytics to address the mismatch of skills in the games and mobile application market.”
Africa Digital Media Institute founding director Wilfred Kiumi shared that “Globally, game development had estimated revenues of $137.9 billion in 2018 and in Kenya, it is predicted that the revenues will be over $31 million by 2022.” He talked about the excitement to launch a new era for skills development and youth empowerment.
The AppFactory academy will be hosted at the ADMI Africa campus in Nairobi. It will also be the first AppFactory to focus on equipping graduates with skills for the gaming sector.
Microsoft renames its game development division to Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios will replace Microsoft studios in name moving forward. Microsoft shares this as it continues to bring its gaming platform across all devices. This means all Microsoft Studios game divisons will come under Xbox Game Studios. Microsoft Studios is Microsoft’s video game development division of 13 teams[studios].
Xbox Game Studios’ Corporate Vice President Matt Booty, shared this announcement in a post. He shares;
“At Xbox, we believe when everyone plays, we all win. It’s why we’re passionate about building a portfolio of games for players across console, PC and mobile. As we’ve expanded our focus beyond the console, the Xbox brand has also evolved from its original roots. Today, Xbox is our gaming brand across all devices, no matter how or where you want to play, or who you want to play with. In that spirit, I’m pleased to share that we are changing the name of our game development organization from Microsoft Studios to Xbox Game Studios.”
Microsoft’s game studios produce games such as Forza, Gears of war, Minecraft, Halo, etc. Positioning itself as a gaming organization, Microsoft looks forward to a great 2019 for gamers. It is also looking to bring in more exculsive and big update games.
Are you a Gamer, Game developer or techie? Microsoft Nigeria is inviting you to its Tech and Gaming mixer at their Lagos office
Microsoft Nigeria is asking gamers, game developers, developers and technology enthusiasts to meet with product managers and engineers from its Redmond Headquarters. In an invitation to gamers to a mixer at their office in Lagos, Microsoft Nigeria’s developer experience teams says;
“Calling all gaming and technology enthusiasts! Microsoft would like to invite you to the Microsoft Tech Mixer in Lagos, Nigeria. Come join us for an evening of music, gaming, drinks, and bites, as we celebrate gaming and technology.
You will meet with some of the Engineers and Product Managers from Microsoft Corp HQ in Redmond responsible for building some of Microsoft biggest platforms such as Xbox Live, while networking with like minds and trying out some locally developed games.”
The event is scheduled for 14th November, 6pm – 9pm WAT. There isn’t much time and there aren’t many slots available so head off and Register. You don’t want to miss out on this.
I can’t say but hope the new Xbox one X will be a one to look forward to? Heading out to the event? Tell us what you think.
