Over the past five years, the African video game market has experienced rapid development. Previously almost non-existent, it has gradually gained international visibility thanks to the efforts of numerous local studios.

On Friday, June 28, the American video game publisher Xbox, owned by Microsoft, honored Cameroonian game studio Kiro’o Games. Xbox showcased an exclusive trailer on its ID@Xbox YouTube channel, which promotes the best upcoming indie games for Xbox One and Windows PC, celebrating Kiro’o Games’ 20 years of work. This promotional communication comes a month after the release of “Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan,” developed by Kiro’o Games, on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

The Xbox trailer highlights the evolution of Aurion from a small amateur project on RPG Maker to an independent game with beautiful hand-drawn graphics. The original game was created using the XNA framework, which was freely offered by Microsoft at the time and allowed many studios to embark on their independent ventures.

“Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan” is an action-RPG set in an African Fantasy context inspired by classic J-RPGs like “Tales of.” It draws on African myths and legends, offering real-time combat in a 2D view. Players take on the role of the exiled king or queen of Zama, aiming to harness their “aurionic” power to build a world where everyone can understand each other despite their differences. The game’s narrative focuses on the challenge of remaining altruistic in a cynical and selfish world.

“We know the current situation is tough for everyone. That's precisely why we hope players will discover the Kori-Odans and be inspired by the message hidden in their Legacy and in Aurion. If you’re a humanist idealist feeling crushed by the world's coldness, Aurion is written for you,” explains Olivier Madiba, founder of Kiro’o Games and creator of Aurion.

Since 2013, the African video game industry has been growing. Across the continent, a generation of enthusiasts is mobilizing to exchange experiences and develop higher quality products. The goal is to showcase African stories and expertise. This is one of the reasons why a dozen game studios decided in February 2022 to pool their efforts within a group, the Pan Africa Gaming Group (PAGG), of which Kiro’o Games is a member.

According to consulting firm Verified Market Research, “the African video game market is growing rapidly due to the increasing adoption of smartphones, improved internet access, and a younger, tech-savvy population. Affordable mobile devices and better internet infrastructure have made online gaming more accessible to a wider range of people, increasing the demand for localized content that reflects the continent’s cultural and linguistic diversity.”

“Urbanization and rising disposable incomes have given birth to a growing middle class eager for digital entertainment, pushing game creators to offer specialized experiences to African gamers. This is expected to drive the market revenue to exceed $2.14 billion by 2024 and reach a valuation of approximately $3.72 billion by 2031,” the consulting firm adds.

For the Cameroonian studio, the confidence shown by Xbox will allow it to reach a vast potential player base worldwide, ensuring visibility, credibility, and revenue opportunities.

Muriel Edjo