Africa Games Week 2024 EVENT PROGRAMME

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Networking morning coffee

Join us at the SAE Institute to kick off VIP Day!

Location: View on Maps📍

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

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.

speaker-1

Nick Hall

speaker-2

Rex Bowden

10:05 AM - 11:10 AM

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!

speaker-1

Rhys Dekle

11:15 AM - 11:30 AM

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.

speaker-1

Hugo Obi

11:35 AM - 12:05 PM

Xbox Documentary Screening

Be the first to watch an exclusive screening featuring the latest content from Xbox.

speaker-1

Xbox

12:10 PM - 1:30 PM

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.

speaker-1

Kish Hirani

12:10 PM - 1:30 PM

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

speaker-1

Rami Ismail

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

Lunch

2:20 PM - 2:40 PM

Board buses

Get ready to explore! Attendees will board buses for the afternoon's exciting activities.

2:40 PM - 6:00 PM

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.

06:00 PM

Board buses and take the scenic route back to Cape Town

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Networking morning coffee

Register at the front desk before enjoying a morning coffee and chat ☕

Location: Workshop 17 📍

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

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

speaker-1

Hind Toufga

speaker-2

Nick Hall

9:35 AM - 10:15 AM

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.

speaker-1

Xbox

speaker-2

Kate Edwards

speaker-3

Temi Afolabi

speaker-4

James Lewis

speaker-5

David Olamide

speaker-6

Winston Ohunyon

speaker-7

Dean Gichukie

10:20 AM - 11:00 AM

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.

speaker-1

Per Strömbäck

11:05 AM - 11:45 AM

Building a Talent Strategy

Joseph Wilson discusses strategies for attracting, developing, and retaining talent in the evolving game development landscape.

speaker-1

Joseph Wilson

11:50 AM - 12:30 PM

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.

speaker-1

Rami Ismail

speaker-2

Fawzi Mesmar

speaker-3

Shirley McPhaul

12:35 PM - 1:15 PM

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.

speaker-1

Hind Toufga

speaker-2

Safurat Balogun

speaker-3

Youssef Boufaied

speaker-4

Odile Limpach

speaker-5

Sidick Bakayoko

speaker-6

Joanna Oluoch

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch

Enjoy a midday break to recharge with a meal and engage in informal discussions with other attendees.

2:05 PM - 5:30 PM

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.

speaker-1

Temi Afolabi

speaker-2

James Lewis

2:05 PM - 5:30 PM

B2B Meetings

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

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.

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Networking morning coffee

Register at the front desk before enjoying a morning coffee and chat ☕

Location: Workshop 17 📍

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Welcome Address

Master of Ceremonies, Hind Toufga, will welcome in the proceedings of Make Games Africa day two

speaker-1

Nick Hall

speaker-2

Hind Toufga

09:35 - 10:15 AM

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).

speaker-1

Yves Le Yaouanq

speaker-2

Astrid Refstrup

speaker-3

Limpho Moeti

speaker-4

Rhys Dekle

10:20 AM - 11:00 AM

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.

speaker-1

James Matthes

speaker-2

Elben Schutte

11:05 AM - 05:30 PM

SpielFabrique Workshop: Indie Studio Development Workshop & Expert Shuffle

speaker-1

Odile Limpach

speaker-2

Olympe Challot

11:05 AM - 11:45 AM

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.

speaker-1

Manuel Sainsily

11:50 AM - 12:30 PM

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.

speaker-1

Kate Edwards

12:35 PM - 1:15 PM

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.

speaker-1

Nick Hall

speaker-2

Ben Myres

speaker-3

James Matthes

speaker-4

Wabantu Hlophe

speaker-5

Limpho Moeti

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch

2:05 PM - 3:05 PM

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.

speaker-1

Bethlehem Anteneh

2:05 PM - 3:05 PM

Unity Demonstration: Muse AI in action

speaker-1

Mark Schoennagel

2:50 PM - 3:20 PM

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.

speaker-1

Wabantu Hlophe

speaker-2

Hind Toufga

speaker-3

Alex Adler

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

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

speaker-1

Warren Spector

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

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

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Networking morning coffee

Register at the front desk before enjoying a morning coffee and chat ☕

Location: Workshop 17 📍

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

Welcome Address

speaker-1

Nick Hall

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM

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.

speaker-1

Zaid Motala

speaker-2

Ntombi Makwetu

speaker-3

Odile Limpach

speaker-4

Raymond Ledwaba

speaker-5

Lars Espeter

speaker-6

Sizeka Mabunda

10:20 AM - 11:00 AM

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.

speaker-1

Sho Sato

speaker-2

Youssef Boufaied

speaker-3

Thabang Diseko

speaker-4

Joy Mawela

speaker-5

Michael Oscar Esio

speaker-6

Marie Pierre Thiam

11:05 AM - 1:05 PM

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.

speaker-1

Kristian Roberts

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch

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