Summary of Maliyo Games Summer Game Jam 2024.
Ever had an idea to create magic and wonder? At Maliyo games, we make this happen. Our annual summer game jam is a feast for every developer’s delight. Following last year’s success on ‘Afrofuturism’, this year’s edition was no different. Innovation, collaboration, and community thrived.
The Maliyo Summer Game jam lasted for seven days (21st June 2024 – 28th June 2024). Within a virtual competitive environment, we hosted 128 game developers, designers, sound engineers, artists, and game testers from around the world. The aim was to create a platform for aspiring and professional game developers to collaborate and bring their brilliant concepts to life in just a number of days.
This year’s edition was themed ‘Black Magic’, culturally described as “the use of superpowers for selfish reasons or evil intentions”. Working with this theme, game jam participants were tasked with developing games that centered on characters or folklore related to black magic. Both individual participants and teams submitted a total of 9 games. Here are some highlights:
A soul-collecting story adventure. In Greed’s Abyss, players step into a dark, enchanted world where a powerful witch holds the key to their deepest desires. To earn her favor, you must traverse haunted forests to collect lost souls. Each soul you bring back to the witch brings you closer to fulfilling your dreams, but the path is fraught with danger and black magic.
Invertus Maledictus: Where curses become the cure
Dive into a world of magic and epic adventure, where your destiny as a legendary hero awaits. The elders, the heart of your community, fall mysteriously ill. Fendle, the village healer, is at a loss. In desperation, they all turn to Sash, a reclusive witch rumored to possess black magic.Hope flickers when Sash offers a cure, but it hinges on a rare ingredient guarded by monstrous creatures within the ominous Cursed Cave. Vamon, a simple villager, emerges as an unlikely hero, driven by an unwavering determination to save his people.
In a time when there was magic, there was black magic, which was rejected by all as it consumed the soul. There are a few who can wield this magic. Play as a puppet master, necromancer, witch or spellcaster in this adventure game.
In a realm where magic intertwines with time, you must journey through forgotten eras and lost civilizations, encountering mythical creatures that guard the secrets of time itself. Ijidide, a 2d platformer, depicts an epic adventure, time manipulation mastery, and uncovering the mysteries of a lost world against all odds in this failing world. Ijidide depicts an adventure of history, time manipulation, and a call to test players’ tenacity.
Step into the mystical world of “Juju Siege,” a thrilling 3D adventure where you become a powerful witch. Armed with a magical staff and an arsenal of enchanted potions, your mission is to defeat waves of enemies across various challenging levels. Aim precisely and unleash your potions strategically—every shot counts! Can you conquer all the foes with your limited supply of potions, or will you fall short in the ultimate magical showdown? Test your skills and see if you have what it takes to master the Siege!
Play as Okute (which means “stone” in Igbo) who embarks on a desperate quest to become human again. Navigate through fiery landscapes and dodge deadly traps, as you journey towards the mystical well that can restore your humanity. Will you conquer Hell’s challenges and reclaim your true form? Embark on this epic adventure and find out!
The highlight of the game jam was moments to submission. By this time, participants had to test and publish their games on itch.io before the fast-approaching midnight deadline. Afterwards, voting began. Games were vetted based on the following: Gameplay, Creativity, Presentation, and adherence to the theme of the game jam.
Submitted games were also reviewed by industry experts which included Antonio Watson (Game Designer, Blizzard Entertainment), Vic Bassey (Founder, Games Industry Africa) Chris Wilson (Creative Director, Maliyo Games) Duncan Adera (Game Director, Dung Beetle Studio) and Finn-Lily Heartwood (Game Designer, Bigger Better Badgers)
At Maliyo Games this is what we do. We bring game development talent together, creating an enabling environment that fosters innovation to significantly contribute to the development of Africa’s mobile game industry through successful events like this.
Head over to itch.io to check out the submitted games. For more info on upcoming game jams, and events organized by Maliyo Games, subscribe to our newsletter.
Upcoming Event: Game Up Africa July Meetup
We are also excited to announce the upcoming Game Up Africa Meetup! This is a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow developers, learn from industry experts, and showcase your work. Mark your calendars and join us for this exciting event.
Date: Wednesday, July 17th 2024
Location: Yaba, Lagos; Online
Registration Link: http://gameupafrica.com/meetup/
Stay tuned for more details and make sure to register early!
