As Black History Month comes to a close... I wanted to write an article with a focus on boosting the awareness of Black Americans in gaming, and hopefully it will motivate an increase in video game developers (for more representation and opportunities within the game industry).
There's no secret that the game industry's Black developers are a rarity (1% according to a 2017 IGDA survey)... while on the flipside (as seen in the Pew Research results below) Black American gamers are dominating in Pew's game play data. The industry should be as diverse as the audience.
On that note there is definitely room for an increase in Black American developers, especially since there are more than a few talented people able to do more than just... buy and play video games.
This has nothing to do with the overshadowing of anyone else, it's all about diversity and getting the opportunity to take part in the industry many of us have loved since we could first use a controller, a fight-stick/joystick, a light-gun, VR controls, a handheld gaming device or... a keyboard and mouse.
I say all that to say I would like to see more studios open their doors to the Black community that provides such a huge show of support. At the same time... there is nothing stopping you if you have an interest in video game development. Indie game development doesn't require permission or a publisher, and some awesome games have come by way of indie.
You never know what type of games could emerge from new developers, because imagination is limitless... and it varies from person to person.
You might scratch your head and wonder how you're going to pull it off without experience... but you have a slew of options, like Udemy!
Udemy is an online learning platform with courses for professionals and students alike... who desire learning new skills, like... learning how to code and learning how to develop games. No college debt required.
I'll close this out with a little motivational history:
Udemy is an online learning platform with courses for professionals and students alike... who desire learning new skills, like... learning how to code and learning how to develop games. No college debt required.
I'll close this out with a little motivational history:
There is a game studio by the name of Kiro'o Games located in Yaounde, Cameroon. Kiro'o Games is a video game, animation, development, and publishing company founded in 2002.
It was founded by game designer / screenwriter / programmer, Olivier Madiba. Kiro'o Games caught my eye with the release of their (African) Fantasy RPG... Aurion: The Legacy of the Kori-Odan (released in 2016).
Aurion is an epic action RPG set in a wonderful African Fantasy world with a unique, open and dynamic fighting gameplay.
Enzo Kori-Odan, the prince of Zama is a victim of a coup d'etat orchestrated by his brother in-law on the day of his coronation and wedding with Erine Evou. The royal couple is then exiled and decides to go around the world in search of allies. They will especially have to reunite Enzo’s warring legacy in order to retrieve their throne.
Beyond retrieving their position, the dethroned Royal couple will precisely discover the geopolitical and existential dilemmas attached to their functions of King and Queen. They will have to find answers in order to secure the fate of Zama.
Aurion is at the same time a mystery and an evidence in the Auriona planet. This energy was discovered a long time ago and is manifested in various ways (battle, handicraft, etc) in daily life. Those who use it in battle are called Aurionics letting them increase their power and have access to untold fighting techniques for a short time interval.
Features
- Epic and strategic Real-Time Fighting, visual evolutive Combos!
- Gather your Legacy and merge the Aurions to create new ones (21 aurionical transformations can be done!)
- Powerful duels with immersive fighting dialogues
- Unique scenario & lots of powerful enemies and bosses
