Games Industry Africa Awards (GIAA) is an initiative to recognise, celebrate as well as promote the diverse portfolio of video games from the continent annually. The industry in Africa is largely, but still relatively nascent compared to its geographical contemporaries. An acknowledgement of the pool of talent is a way to aid continuous growth as well as inspire the next generation of creators and developers.
GIAA 2022 is sponsored by Pingle Studios. Pingle Studios is a global game development partner that empowers developers and publishers of all sizes via their suite of services that includes, but not limited to porting, co-development, game testing and more.
Amidst an age of chaos, uncertainty and unparalleled success, African developers have continued to break new ground and gain a foothold on a global scale. Making games is hard. It’s an adage well worn, but when framed against an African backdrop, all developers should be celebrated for continuing to push the medium forward across the continent. Every nominee is a testament to persistence and passion. Keep on keeping on!
Industry Initiative of the Year
Picking a winner in this category was indescribably difficult, since almost every initiative is littered with firsts and tangibly reached a significant milestone that could sustain for years. However, the winning initiative not only laid the groundwork into illuminating the true size and scope of the African games industry, but kickstarted a movement that went beyond the local.
Winner – The Africa Games Industry Report
Event of the Year
More than just a gathering of knowledgeable and kindred spirits driven by a desire to grow the African games industry, it has firmly established itself as an essential part of the global industry calendar.
Winner – Africa Games Week
Community of the Year
An industry can only truly survive by innovating, but it can also secure its legacy by establishing a foundation for future generations to tread, learn and grow from. This event continues to take significant strides in providing budding talents with the skills needed to survive in the harsh glare of an evolving games industry.
Winner – AfricaComicade
Industry Hub of the Year
An accelerator, a bootcamp as well as an access point to revenue generating opportunities. This hub already has one hit under its belt and has all the resources to propel another African game developer to commercial success.
Winner – CrazyLabs CapeTown
GIAA One to Watch
With 18.4% of the votes, the title to watch is Hot Bunz by SpaceSalad
Rising Star(s) Award
These rising stars have not just exhibited an overwhelming urge to create, strong creative streaks as well as a penchant for risk taking and iteration.
Winners – Dooshima Anger / Inuv8 Studios / Tiny Baby Crown
Debut of the Year
The winner of this award crafted a game built of a singular vision and opted to add a layer of further complexity by choosing to go down the self-publishing route. It showcases a an impressive level of resilience backed up by a positively received debut title.
Winner – Dungeons & Jewels (Egypt)
Most Impactful Mobile Game
A well-executed game with a strong message on the state of the world and featured prominently on one of the largest platforms in the world for consumer entertainment – Netflix
Winner – Terra Nil (South Africa)
PC Game of the Year
A PC first developer, this game is a culmination of their knowledge and experience. A developer at the very top of their game and this game is a reflection of this studios narrative, design and development evolution.
Winner – Stasis: Bone Totem (South Africa)
Team of the Year
In truth anyone of the nominees would have been deserving of the top recognition. IT was that tough, however the winners ot this award oversaw a number of successful high profile co-developed titles and helped show the world that there exists highly sought talent of the calibre some of the best publishers in the world, would do well to align themselves with.
Winner – 24 Bit Games (South Africa)
Game of the Year
Uncompromising in its execution and message as a meditative take on the importance of sustainability. Visually and technically unparalleled, launched on multiple platforms and excelled on every single one.
Winner – Terra Nil (South Africa)
Person(s) of the year
In a year, that has seen a downturn for many studios and publishers around the world, these individuals have been the strongest advocates of Africa’s unknown, but strong uptake potential.
From managing studios, overseeing game releases, to mentoring as well as being visual representations of the diverse strengths from the continent.
Winners – Dominique Gawlowski & Hugo Obi
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