Africa Games Week 2024 EVENT PROGRAMME
Welcome Address
A dual welcome address by Nick Hall, Rex Bowden, and a representative from the City of Cape Town sets the tone for the day. Gain insights into the event’s goals and the exciting activities ahead.
Creative Alchemy by Rhys Dekle
Rhys Dekle shares transformative ideas and strategies for harnessing creativity in the gaming and creative industries. A session not to be missed!
Insights from the 2024 Games Industry Survey by Hugo Obi
Hugo Obi presents key findings and trends shaping the future of gaming. Discover valuable data and predictions to stay ahead in the industry.
Xbox Documentary Screening
Be the first to watch an exclusive screening featuring the latest content from Xbox.
Room 1 | State of the Industry Roundtable with Kish Hirani
Join game advisor, Kish Hirani, for a deep dive into the state of the industry. Participate in discussions on challenges, opportunities, and trends driving the gaming sector.
Room 2 | Incubation Workshop: Lead by Rami Ismail
Join industry veteran Rami Ismail for an interactive workshop designed to spark innovation and nurture creative ideas
Lunch
Board buses
Get ready to explore! Attendees will board buses for the afternoon's exciting activities.
Open-Top Bus Tour & Networking
Hop on the tour bus to Simon's in Groot Constantia for wine-tasting and networking. During the bus ride various African Studios will have the opportunity to deliver their elevator pitch about themselves.
Board buses and take the scenic route back to Cape Town
Networking morning coffee
Register at the front desk before enjoying a morning coffee and chat ☕
Location: Workshop 17 📍
Welcome Address
Our Co-Founder, Nick Hall will provide a welcoming speech before handing over to our Master of Ceremonies, Hind Toufga to kick off Make Games Africa
Xbox Panel: Translating Culture to Gameplay
Explore how African mythology and culture can inspire global gameplay experiences in this thought-provoking panel, moderated by Kate Edwards, an industry expert in content culturalization.
Joined online by David Olamide and Winston Ohunyon from Dimension11 Studios based in Nigeria and in-person by Temi Afolabi and James Lewis from Microsoft Xbox.
From Public Enemy to Hit Machine: Sweden’s Lessons in Industry Growth, Cultural Impact & Digital Policy
Per Strömbäck shares Sweden's journey of industry growth, cultural impact, and digital policy, offering valuable insights for other regions.
Building a Talent Strategy
Joseph Wilson discusses strategies for attracting, developing, and retaining talent in the evolving game development landscape.
Breaking Borders: Unlocking Game Development Success in the Global South
Rami Ismail and Fawzi Mesmar, moderated by Shirley McPhaul, discuss overcoming challenges and unlocking success for game developers in the Global South.
Games Connect Africa Launch: Connecting Africa's Gaming Community
Join industry leaders Safurat Balogun, Sidick Bakayoko, Youssef Boufaied, Joanna Oluoch, and Odile Limpach, moderated by Hind Toufga, for the official launch of "Games Connect Africa." Discover how this initiative aims to unify and empower Africa’s gaming community.
Lunch
Enjoy a midday break to recharge with a meal and engage in informal discussions with other attendees.
Xbox Discovery Day
Whether you're just beginning your game development journey or interested in learning how to publish your game on Xbox, join the Xbox Discovery Day.
What you can look forward to:
- A hands-on workshop led by Temi Afolabi
- Mentorship from industry experts, James Lewis
- A comprehensive overview of the ID@Xbox program, including Xbox development tools and opportunities through marketing, the Developer Acceleration Program, and Xbox Game Pass
Please register using this link to ensure your spot in the workshop.
B2B Meetings
VIP Xbox Networking Function
Wrap up the day with an exclusive networking function hosted by Xbox at Workshop 17. Connect with industry leaders, share ideas, and celebrate the day’s achievements in a relaxed setting.
Networking morning coffee
Register at the front desk before enjoying a morning coffee and chat ☕
Location: Workshop 17 📍
Welcome Address
Master of Ceremonies, Hind Toufga, will welcome in the proceedings of Make Games Africa day two
State of the Industry: A Reflection on 2024
Join this insightful panel featuring Yves Le Yaouanq, Chief Content Officer of Focus Entertainment, as he shares thoughts on current trends and challenges in the gaming industry.
Featuring Panelists; Astrid Refstrup (Developer Relations & Business Development at WINGS), Limpho Moeti (Business Development Manager, Stylus Games) and Rhys Dekle (Partner, Strategic Alternatives LLC).
Mastering Creative Leadership
James Matthes and Ben Shutte from Pressure Cooker Studios delve into the creative leadership strategies behind the success of Manor Lords historically authentic medieval soundtrack. Gain valuable insights into fostering innovation and excellence.
SpielFabrique Workshop: Indie Studio Development Workshop & Expert Shuffle
Improving Workflows with Unity Muse
Join Manuel, Artist, Futurist and Advocate for Unity, as he showcases Unity Muse, their collection of AI capabilities for game development.
Using Generative AI, Muse helps your turn your ideas into prototypes faster, making your development smooth and efficient.
How an Unconventional Perspective Changed How Games are Made
Kate Edwards shares how thinking outside the box has revolutionized approaches to game development, inspiring new ways to create impactful games.
Are We Good Enough?
Moderated by Nick Hall, this panel features Wabantu Hlophe, Limpho Moeti, Ben Myers, and James Matthes discussing critical questions about the industry’s direction and standards.
Lunch
Creating Safe Spaces in the Gaming Industry
Bethlehem Anteneh leads a powerful discussion on the importance of fostering safe and inclusive environments in the gaming industry.
Fireside Chat with Alex Adler
In this hybrid session, Alex Adler from EA engages in a candid conversation moderated by Wabantu Hlophe and hosted by Hind Toufga, exploring insights on leadership and innovation.
Designing Emergent Gameplay Systems
In this hybrid online and in-person talk, Warren Spector the Chief Creative Officer for Otherside Entertainment, will dive into both sides of the game development coin, creative design and innovative gameplay systems
Closing Drinks at the Venue
Hind Toufga, Master of Ceremonies, will end off the Make Games Africa portion of Africa Games Week, after which there will drinks for delegates at a venue to be announced soon
Networking morning coffee
Register at the front desk before enjoying a morning coffee and chat ☕
Location: Workshop 17 📍
How the Jobs Fund Fuels Africa's Gaming Industry
A panel featuring Raymond Ledwaba, Zaid Motala, Ntombi Makwetu, Odile Limpach, Lars Espeter, and Sizeka Mabunda highlights the impact of the Jobs Fund on Africa's gaming sector. Gain insights into how strategic funding drives growth and development.
Designing Game Accelerators for Sustainable Growth
Experts Sho Sato, Joy Mawela, Youssef Boufaied, Thabang Diseko, and Michael Oscar, moderated by Marie Pierre Thiam, discuss best practices for creating game accelerators that ensure long-term success in the industry.
ROUNDTABLE | Unlocking Potential: Government & Industry Dialogue on Gaming's Economic Future
Kristian Roberts (Nordicity, Managing Partner & CEO) leads this closed-door roundtable, facilitating dialogue between government representatives and industry leaders on unlocking the economic potential of gaming for the future.
Lunch