Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, FIFA, GTA, Clash of Clans and Candy Crush. You’ve probably heard of or played these games. This is because the video game industry is a huge multi billion industry in Asia, Europe and the U.S.A. However did you know that the video game industry is fairly big in Kenya too? The industry was valued at approximately $27 million in 2015 according to research by Newzoo. Check out these 10 video games produced by Kenyan game developers.
1. Nairobi X
The game is the brainchild of Andrew Kaggia, the proprietor of Black Division Games.
Set in Nairobi, the game is a 3D first person shooter game. The aim of the game is to protect Nairobi from an alien invasion using a character called Commander Otero.
The game’s intricate detail of Nairobi make playing it an exhilarating experience.
If you like first person shooter games like Call of Duty you may enjoy it. It’s available for both Android and PC.
2. Wings of Fury
Released on Jan 13 this year, Wings of Fury was created by game publisher Mekan Games. Wings of Fury is an air combat game that involves steering a fighter aircraft through difficult terrain while battling other enemy aircrafts.
It’s available for Android.
3. Mosquito Hood
This is an educational game that aims to create awareness about malaria and help fight the disease. The game that is fun and interactive, tasks the gamer with killing mosquitoes. And if the gamer completes the game’s missions, a mosquito net will be donated by the Kenyan government to a family living in a malaria prone area.
The game is available for Android. Help combat malaria by downloading it.
4. Election Thief
Corruption is a perennial issue in Kenya. Instead of sitting back and letting it continue to flourish, the four developers of game publisher University of Games decided to address it using an educative game.
Available on the Android platform, Election Thief involves the gamer assuming the role of Omu, an honest voter pursuing an election thief across several levels.
Also developed by Black Division games, Kuku Sama is a totally different game from Nairobi X. Similar to Flappy Bird, the game involves the player navigating a flying chicken to avoid obstacles like hanging forks and a grill.
Unfortunately, the game isn’t available on the Play Store but via carriers.
6. Memory Drums
Do you think you have a brilliant memory? Then test it by playing Memory Drums, available on Android for free.
In Memory Drums the gamer has to play drums in the right sequence in order to win. Remember the sequence and you’ll get a higher score.
7. Tough Jungle
The game was created by Gerald Kibugi and for his efforts, he won the Safaricom and Vodafone Appstar competitions in 2012.
Set in the jungle, the player has to move through the jungle while fending off attacks from wild animals using a spear and arrow.
It’s available for download on the Google Play Store.
8. Haki: Shield and Defend
The game was developed by Nathan Masyuko and Wesley Kirinya together with artist, Chief Nyamweya. It’s an educative and fun game that aims to promote environmental conservation.
In the game, the player has to protect trees from illegal loggers. Due to its educational theme and impact, the game won the World Youth Summit Award in 2012.
The game also has a sequel, Haki: Chaguo ni Lako.
9. Ma3Racer
Artistic graffiti, flashy bodywork and souped up interiors, no city has public transportation quite like Nairobi’s.
Matatu culture is a big deal and the developers at Planet Ruckus decided to showcase it by creating this game available for download on the Google Play Store.
Ma3Racer is a thrilling game. The game involves players driving a matatu of their choice through the busy, rough and rugged roads of Nairobi. Gamers have to compete with others for space and passengers while evading police officers hot on their trail.
10. Adventures of Nyangi
This game was developed by Wesley Kirinya way back in 2007 when there was virtually no game industry in Kenya.
Similar to Tomb Raider, the game’s protagonist, ‘Nyangi’ sets out on a treasure hunt in an open and lush landscape to try and find rare African artefacts.
