The gaming industry is booming in Africa as the continent takes advantage of digital technologies and mobile devices. In a report by games market analysts NewZoo, African consumers are projected to spend over $200 million on gaming in 2020 including mobile, console and PC gaming. This signals the potential for new opportunities across the African continent for game developers, publishers and retailers.
With a growing number of gamers, this presents an ideal platform for stakeholders in the video game industry to capitalise on what is perceived as one of the fastest growing markets worldwide. Companies such as Microsoft are being credited with fuelling the growth in this sector by launching initiatives such as ID@Xbox which encourages African game developers to test their creativity and bring engaging video games to players all around Africa. The introduction of e-gaming tournaments also builds upon existing communities while increasing recognition for talented game developers on the continent which will go a long way in contributing positively towards their career ambitions.
For those interested in targeting this expanding market there are hurdles which need to be overcome first. For example, internet connectivity is still a big challenge faced by many Africans due to poor infrastructure development outside of major cities and towns since it ultimately determines whether consumers can purchase or download digital products at any given time or not; high latency rates make streaming difficult within specific parts of Africa too since content must travel further distances compared other regions. It’s therefore important that relevant stakeholders must become familiar with consumer-level limitations in order optimise network performance once launching titles across different channels such as mobile app stores or online platforms like Xbox Live or Origin Store before introducing their product into these markets if they wish to maximise potential revenues from these regions.
In conclusion, there’s no denying that the African gaming landscape has grown exponentially recently;. However, it remains incredibly challenging work extracting tangible benefits from this given market thus far due to its unique factors in product distribution and reaching out to prospective target consumers throughout varying countries on Africa’s vast map. In light of this information more investments need be made concerning geographical localization so that more consumers may have better access when capitalising on various products locally distributed or released onto other global platforms globally – hence covering wider demographics across different regions both close by or far away in order to progress industry much further into years ahead.
Overview of African Gaming Market
Recently, South Africa-based mobile games publisher Carry1st announced a $20M Series A extension led by a16z, the firm’s first investment in an Africa-headquartered company.
This news signals the growing potential of the African gaming market and is expected to spur more investment into the space.
We’ll analyse this news more closely and discuss its implications for the African gaming market.
Overview of South African Gaming Market
The gaming market in South Africa is continually growing. According to the latest studies, it has experienced a rapid growth of 18% from 2017 to 2018 and the industry is estimated to reach a global worth of $8.2 billion by 2022. The increasing demand for mobile gaming, social gaming and real money gaming in the country has fueled this growth.
South Africa accounts for over 25% of the African online gaming market and is estimated to have 3 million daily active players. Online gambling deregulation has allowed South Africans to participate in more regulated gambling such as sports betting, online poker and casino games. The potential within this Esports sector has seen numerous operators providing dedicated platforms catering specifically to this industry.
Regarding hardware sales, PlayStation 4 remains the favourite choice amongst South African gamers, followed by Xbox One and Nintendo Switch which only recently entered the market. However, increased broadband access prices have impacted domestic console sales as gamers opt for cheaper alternatives like mobile or PC gaming to save costs.
To meet these emerging trends, game developers are responding accordingly by pushing out innovative content adapted for a wide range of devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets that appeal more prominently with local gamers due to affordability factors . Furthermore, some games are being released with versions tailored to the African market to capture an even wider audience.
In light of this growing market , what does this mean for aspiring game developers in South Africa ? To capitalise on opportunities in these flourishing markets , game developers must focus their skills on creating content that satisfies diverse audiences all over Africa and abroad . The challenge will lie in producing games that can succeed across different markets despite their complexity while keeping up with technological advancements . With such peak reachable potential seen within the E-sports sector , producing compelling content unlocks several opportunities – local investors can offer visibility funds allowing independent developers to create successful brands. At the same time, international publishers could support budding studios through direct investments or partnerships deals, resulting in increased penetration into overseas territories . With an uninterrupted focus on these fundamental aspects , South African game developers could benefit greatly from the outcomes of their hard work.
Overview of African Gaming Market
The African online gaming market has grown gradually over the past years. It is a rapidly growing industry driven by rapid technological advances, increasing use of mobile phones and other digital devices, rising disposable income, changing global regulations, and growing popularity of esports.
While traditional physical casinos remain popular in Africa, there has been an increasing focus on digital gaming due to the rise of digital technologies such as mobile phones that Africans widely use. In addition, governments across many African countries have also begun to make regulatory changes to open their markets to international operators including casino websites. As a result, the African gaming industry is poised to grow even further shortly.
African countries are also leading in virtual sports games, which is expected to become increasingly popular in Africa shortly. Virtual sports games offer more variety than traditional sports betting and have greater potential for revenue generation due to their smaller start-up costs. Additionally, virtual sports allow players greater control over outcomes through in-game techniques that involve analysing different game patterns and other strategies. The rise of virtual sports alongside esports tournaments has opened up new opportunities for players worldwide in Africa’s flourishing gaming market environment.
Additionally, with more people able to access online platforms safely through secure payment methods such as cryptocurrencies or debit/credit cards coupled with incentives offered by gaming companies’ loyalty programs and promotional campaigns, gamers can look forward to a much improved user experience when playing on African platforms. This could lead to greater growth within the African gaming market as more players opt into digital platforms which provide them with new options for gaming entertainment such as dedicated mobile apps or live streaming services that provide access to big screens events amongst others features designed for gamers’ purposes only.
Impact of Carry1st Series A Extension
The Series A Extension of South Africa-based mobile games publisher Carry1st by a16z has been an unexpected, yet welcome event for the African gaming market. This is a16z’s first investment in an Africa-headquartered company and shows a commitment to the growing gaming market in Africa.
Let’s explore this investment’s implications on the African gaming market.
Increased Investment in African Gaming Market
The recent Extension of Carry1st’s Series A Round indicates the potential investors hold for the African gaming space. It demonstrates a faith in the abilities of African game developers and entrepreneurs, showing that there is an appetite for success stories across the continent. Additionally, this increased investment will create more opportunities within the African gaming market, resulting in more startups, established businesses and new forms of innovation that may not have otherwise been possible.
This injection of extra investment into the industry could potentially launch new products and services on a much larger scale than before. Furthermore, with more resources available, African game developers can better access capital to create new games and develop existing titles to avoid being solely dependent on foreign investments. Similarly, with additional funds at their disposal, gaming companies can tap into wider global markets and build effective customer support systems and infrastructures crucial for customer retention and acquisition.
The extension also benefits job creation by increasing employee numbers within local gaming companies or associated industries such as media marketing or technical support. This further propels technology-based economic development by creating additional demand for professionals with specialised skills in emerging technology sectors such as game development, animation or AI programming.
Overall, greater investment in the African gaming industry generally supports an increase in competition within this market segment; this ultimately motivates existing companies to raise their game and pursue even higher standards of excellence through innovation while contributing towards job creation across different levels and multiple countries on the continent thus significantly impacting livelihoods.
Increased Competition for African Gaming Market
The recent Series A Extension funding secured by Carry1st, a mobile gaming platform focused on the African market, has the potential to significantly increase competition in the gaming space. The additional capital will allow Carry1st to expand its operations and access wider markets. With its mission to leverage gaming to inspire gamers in Africa, Carry1st seeks to make gaming more accessible across different levels.
The influx of funds will enable Carry1st to scale up its current operations outside of Nigeria and into new African countries. In addition, this move could dramatically increase competition for other players in the African gaming space, with increased offerings from local and global providers vying for gamers’ attention.
Additionally, the upcoming expansion might mean that retailers are more likely to stock products associated with mobile gaming platforms such as consoles, shooter games and video game peripherals like controllers and headsets which could further boost sales. For African based companies to remain competitive in this increasingly crowded marketplace they must keep up with global advancement in technology To retain relevancy. As the landscape of digital entertainment changes rapidly, local companies must stay abreast of international trends and developments to remain competitive.
South Africa-based mobile games publisher Carry1st raises a $20M Series A extension led by a16z, the firm’s first investment in an Africa-headquartered company (Dean Takahashi/VentureBeat)
The African gaming market is gaining more attention as South Africa-based mobile gaming publisher Carry1st recently raised a $20M Series A extension led by a16z, the firm’s first investment in an Africa-headquartered company. This is seen as a great opportunity for the African gaming market and is a testament to this sector’s potential.
This article will explore the opportunities this investment opens up for the African gaming market.
Increased Access to Global Markets
The African gaming market is seeing increased access to global markets through emerging technologies that offer new opportunities for African game developers. This access can give companies greater exposure to the international market, allowing them to reach larger audiences worldwide. With more advanced technology, developers also have access to larger pools of resources and new opportunities for monetization, such as sponsorships and in-game purchases.
The increased access to global markets means that African developers can gain exposure and benefit from the latest updates and advancements from around the world. With this, they will be able to take advantage of all the opportunities offered by the latest trends, platforms, game engines and devices from around the world. This will lead to faster growth of development teams, improved project management and overall design quality for these games.
The potential for higher revenues in African countries also represents an attractive opportunity for investors and developers. Higher revenue could mean greater job opportunities within gaming development teams in Africa, leading to more job security and better wages overall. In addition, utilising international talent or offshore partnerships may become a viable option to take advantage of resources outsiders have already established in other countries outside Africa, such as program marketing campaigns or 3rd party services like advertising networks or analytics providers.
These advances open up groundbreaking possibilities for game developers from Africa – enabling them to compete globally with much larger institutions from outside their region or continent. In addition, the rise of mobile games has enabled companies far outside Africa’s geographical boundaries to produce titles that have become major successes – meaning it’s possible for success no matter where you are located globally!
Increased Investment in Local Companies
The African gaming market is rising, as more investors and developers recognize its potential. As a result, foreign companies are beginning to invest in the region, while local businesses are receiving increased funding to develop their markets. This increased investment has positively impacted the African gaming industry and holds promise for continued growth.
The influx of foreign investors and developers into the region has brought higher levels of capital investment, new creative ideas, and cutting edge technologies. This influx has allowed local companies to quickly build their market presence and compete globally. It has also resulted in higher competition within the African gaming industry, driving innovation as developers strive to create an even better customer experience.
At the same time, greater investments from large multinational companies have allowed traditional small-scale businesses to expand their reach into new markets and attract more users. This helps to foster economic growth throughout Africa and increase economic stability overall. As a result, more people are engaging in gaming activities as opportunities become available in areas where they may not have existed before — a testament to the partnership between traditional local businesses and foreign investors creating exponential growth throughout Africa’s gaming industry.
Increased Focus on Local Talent
The African gaming market has steadily increased in size and awareness, leading to more developer opportunities. While many of the games published in Africa come from overseas companies, there is an increased focus on local talent. This focus has been driven by the initiatives of organisations such as Global Game Jam and incubators like Flourish Hub – both creating opportunities for aspiring African game developers to showcase their work and gain funding.
This increased attention on the African gaming market means that local developers can now access resources they were not able to before, allowing them to create new and exciting games with unique ideas that are unique to the continent. Additionally, with larger populations becoming more accepting of video games as entertainment, demand for new and interesting titles is growing among gamers in the region. This has created a vast array of possibilities for up-and-coming developers and established names alike.
As awareness in Africa increases, international investors are noticing the potential within its gaming ecosystem. As a result, more foreign game publishers have begun setting up offices within African countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa – enhancing local talent’s chance of growth. Also, creative technology hubs have emerged such as iHub (Kenya’s leading tech hub) which provide training courses for aspiring game makers; creating an open environment which encourages creativity amongst fledgling game makers who are looking to make it big in the industry.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that raw talent is abundant within the African continent’s gaming market and with initiatives like Global Game Jam providing important resources, African devs can start climbing their way up into wider industry recognition – providing homegrown solutions to problems encountered throughout numerous facets of daily life experienced by locals on the continent.
tags = South Africa-based, mobile games publisher, Carry1st, Africa-headquartered company, carry1st 20m series africaheadquarteredtakahashiventurebeat, mobile game publishing platform, African market
