The Game Mixer and A MAZE Johannesburg 2017.
Hello everyone. I hope the first month of the new year went well?
So, I have been meaning to write this particular post for the longest time now, and finally I got the time (kinda) to do it. Towards the end of last year, I submitted The Orchard to A MAZE Johannesburg 2017, and it got chosen as part of the official selection of games. It was an amazing (pun not intended) feeling knowing that my game was set to stand next to awesome games such as Nidhogg 2, Isometric Epilepsy and 43 others. Unfortunately, I could not attend the event and stand next to my game during the showcase, but the organisers assured me that my work would get its own stand. Which it did :D
Now I can show off this nifty badge I made. I hope this to be the first of many more. You can read more on A MAZE by following this link.
So after that, I had pretty much believed the year was wrapped up, and that it had ended on a high note. However, a little while later, there was a call for game developers around Africa to apply to participate in a programme organised by the Goethe Instiut, Johannesburg branch. I looked over the application process and realised I did not have half the things they were asking for. Regardless I applied and to my surprise got picked to attend. You could imagine how excited I was.
The programme was The Game Mixer. This was the 3rd time it was being held. The first was in Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia back in 2015, the second in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2016 and finally Johannesburg, South Africa was the next destination. You can read more on the programme here.
In brief, I got to meet a bunch of awesome game developers, both from The Continent and beyond. It was really exciting talking shop, sharing experiences, and generally hanging out with like minded people. The games we all showed off can be viewed here.
There was lots of food and drink as well and quite a bit to see. At the end there was a “48″ hour game jam with the theme as “Sun, Escape and Food”. It was my first ever jam and I had no idea what to expect. In the end, I was kind of all over the place helping out where I could.
All in all, it was a great trip. I know people often say this, but I got to see it first hand that this is a big world with lots of different people in it.
Also the fact that my "hobby” as some people might call it, actually gave me the opportunity to travel and meet others in my field, and promises to do so much more, so long as I remain dedicated. It really gave me a much needed boost.
Now before I get all mushy, here are some of the photos as promised!