6 Indie Game Studios Shine at AVIJOZI 2024: A Weekend of Innovation and Creativity

BY MODERN OPULENT GAZETTE
Sep 17, 2024
4 min read

AVIJOZI held its third annual event this past weekend, from 14-15 September 2024 and it was nothing short of spectacular. Bringing together the best of South Africa's creative, production, and tech industries. Hosted at The Sunnyplace in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, AVIJOZI is the premier festival for the Animation, Visual Effects, Film Production, and Gaming industries. Founded by Nosipho Maketo van den Bragt, CEO of Chocolate Tribe, AVIJOZI aims to connect creatives, technicians, and producers in an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation and an opportunity for attendees to network and gain industry insights. Supported by Netflix, the event made an exciting addition to its lineup—game development—making it a must-attend for all tech and creative professionals in South Africa.

This year's show featured an array of influential industry figures, including Nelisiwe & Ofentse Mwase from MWASE Films, YouTube stars, and fine artist Yvonne Muinde, who received a lifetime achievement award. Other prominent speakers included Mandlakayise Walter Dube, Cinematographer and Producer at Pambili Media, and SAFTA-winning Creative Entrepreneur Ayanda Sithebe. The event was packed with exciting exhibitors, from the renowned AFDA art school to the rising stars of the indie game development scene.

The two-day festival, which was free of charge, was packed with industry experts speakers such as the loved YouTube stars Nelisiwe & Ofentse Mwase from MWASE Films, and celebrated fine artists like Yvonne Muinde, who received a lifetime achievement award at the event. The event also included notable appearances from Mandlakayise Walter Dube, a Cinematographer and Producer at Pambili Media, and SAFTA award-winning Creative Entrepreneur Ayanda Sithebe. These figures brought both star power and invaluable insights to the attendees, the event did not only end at the speakers, it featured live music, food stalls, an array of exhibitors, from renowned art schools like AFDA, AfroGeek, Chocolate tribe to cutting-edge indie game studios.

While AVIJOZI had a diverse array of exhibitors, this year marked a significant moment for gaming, with six indie game studios taking center stage in the newly-added Game Development section. These studios showcased their innovative titles, offering visitors an immersive experience in South Africa's growing gaming industry. Here are the 6 indie game studios that showcased their games at AVIJOZI 2024.

1. Glitch Portal

Glitch Portal, a South African game development studio, known for crafting games that fuse cultural appreciation with rich storytelling. At AVIJOZI, they showcased two exciting games:

Themba: The Last Hope – A retro pixel adventure game where players take on the role of Themba, a brave Zulu boy guided by the spirit of Shaka Zulu. In this game, players battle mythical creatures while learning isiZulu, offering an immersive cultural experience

Jozi Jam – A rhythm-based game where players take on the role of a street performer directing traffic during the the chaos of load-shedding. With fast-paced DDR-style gameplay, where players match arrows to the beat, players get to “dance the loadshedding away” and get the highest score in the given time. Jozi Jam was a crowd favourite, with hopes for a future VR version.

2. Atrybute Graphics

Atrybute Graphics a South African game development studio, they showcased their mobile game FatPack Joe, a humorous mobile game that centers on a kid who builds a jetpack out of a couch, tape, and missiles to stop an alien invasion. Players control Joe’s adventures across different realms and galaxies, blending African art and solarpunk aesthetics. The game’s quirky narrative and multiplayer option drew a lot of attention at the event.

3. Spacesalad Studios

As the indie game headliner at AVIJOZI, the award-winning Spacesalad Studios brought their 2D platformer game HotBunz. The game follows an ancient alien race, the Buttopians, who compete in the Booty-Lympics using twerking as a form of movement. The playful and humorous tone of the game, combined with its local PvP mode, ensured that Spacesalad’s booth was always buzzing with excitement.

4. Alchamaize

Alchamaize showcased their game Rapz, a story-driven adventure based on the graphic novel Rapulani. Rapz follows the story of a little girl who embarks on adventures while teaching young black girls how to take care of their hair. With a focus on African culture and self-love, Rapz is both an educational and entertaining experience.The game emphasizes self-love and cultural pride, delivering an empowering message alongside its enjoyable gameplay.

5. Pineapple on Pizza Studios

Pineapple on Pizza Studios a small indie team dedicated to uplifting African artists and promoting African-inspired content showcased three of their games at AVIJOZI:

Swing – A therapeutic experience where players swing endlessly in any direction in a relaxing sandbox.

Braai Guy – A fun game inspired by South African culture, particularly the beloved tradition of braais.

Pop Invaders – A fast-paced arcade shooter that quickly became a crowd favourite.

6. Fatalin3

Solo indie developer Fatalin3 showcased his upcoming horror game Staring Time, an exploration-based title where players confront dark, surreal nightmares. The game, inspired by Layers of Fear and Slender Man, puts players in a tense, sleep paralysis-induced nightmare from which they must escape before demons consume their soul. Though still in early development, the game has already gained attention, including a showcase at the Horror Game Awards.

A Packed Schedule of Competitions and Events

AVIJOZI was brimming with exciting activities, including a gaming tournament with a grand prize of R1,000, where attendees competed in FIFA and Tekken. Spacesalad Studios also hosted a popular competition featuring their game HotBunz, where Glitch Portal took home the People’s Choice Award and won an internship with Chocolate Tribe. The event had something for everyone, from puzzling competitions for younger attendees to merch sales from various indie game studios.

A Must-Attend for Future Game Developers

AVIJOZI 2024 attracted high schoolers, varsity students, and adults alike, all eager to learn from the industry’s best and participate in the fun-filled competitions. While a highly anticipated Game Jam didn’t happen, the event still managed to exceed expectations, providing a platform for creatives to network, showcase their talents, and gain invaluable insights.

The event wasn’t just a celebration of South Africa’s growing game development scene—it was a vibrant intersection of creativity, culture, and tech. With the addition of game development to its ever-growing roster, AVIJOZI continues to be a significant cultural event in Johannesburg, paving the way for future creative collaborations and industry growth.

If you missed AVIJOZI 2024, make sure to keep an eye out for next year’s edition—it’s a festival no creative, techie, or gamer should miss!