The GameUp Africa Jam for Democracy wrapped up with a remarkable showcase of creativity, innovation, and impactful storytelling. Hosted by Maliyo Games in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General Lagos and Global Game Jam, the two-week sprint challenged participants to create game concepts on Countering malign influence -a growing threat to democracy in today’s digital world.
Running from December 9th to 20th, 2024, the jam featured a one-week onboarding and training phase (December 9th–13th) and a one-week dedicated game development phase (December 16th–20th). Game developers, designers, storytellers, and civic activists from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya united to confront this pressing challenge through games.
Read about the training, game development, and review phases in our previous blog post
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Key Outcomes
The GameUp Africa Jam for Democracy yielded impressive results:
- 70% increase in participants’ understanding of malign influence, as reflected in the pre and post-event surveys.
- A total of 30 games were submitted to the game jam.
- 23 teams were formed across Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the event.
https://itch.io/jam/gameup-africa-jam-for-democracy
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And the Winners Are…
The top three teams were unveiled at an awards ceremony held at the Maliyo Games office in Lagos on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025. Here’s a closer look at their standout projects:
1st Place: Team Creotly – Agent Info
- Game Description: Players take on the role of an agent for the Information Management Agency (IMA), tasked with curbing countering malign influence in a small town on the brink of a mayoral election. The mission? Earn 5 stars to unlock a special ending and meet a childhood hero who once fought against fake news.
- Team: Iwunze Miracle, Game Developer (NG), Chidera Nwosu, Game Developer (NG), Nwocha Godswill, Game Developer (NG)
- Reward: ₦5,000,000 (KES 400,000, or GH₵ 50,000)
2nd Place: Team Organized Khaos – Echo
- Game Description: Players step into the shoes of a content moderator for a fictional African-inspired platform. They must verify viral posts, combat malign influence, handle breaking news, and navigate government pressures while balancing engagement, reputation, and revenue. Every decision shapes the platform’s impact as a beacon of truth or a tool for manipulation.
- Team: Andy Korshie-Sherrie, Game Developer (GH), Ebenezer Apau, Game Developer (GH), Ravi Allotey, Artist (GH)
- Reward: ₦2,000,000 (KES 160,000, or GH₵ 20,000)
3rd Place: Team Bahd Guyz – Misleaders
- Game Description: A 2D platformer where players solve mysteries by debunking the malign influence spread by NPCs. Players uncover clues, interact with characters, and use logic to separate truth from falsehood, navigating levels filled with interactive elements and narrative depth.
- Team: Leslie Elochukwu, Game Developer (NG), Mitchelle Wanjiku, Narrative Designer (KE)
- Reward: ₦2,000,000 (KES 160,000, or GH₵ 20,000)
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Looking Ahead: Supporting and Showcasing Innovation
The GameUp Africa Jam for Democracy didn’t end with the announcement of winners—it’s just the beginning.
- Ongoing Development Support: Winning teams will receive mentorship and resources from the Maliyo Games team to further refine their games.
- Showcasing Talent: The completed games will be featured at an event in March 2025, where they’ll be presented to a broader audience, celebrating African creativity and innovation.
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A Note of Thanks
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made the GameUp Africa Jam for Democracy a success—participants, mentors, judges, and partners. This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration and the incredible potential of African creators to use games as a tool for social change.
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Stay Connected
Missed the game jam? Explore the games submitted during the jam on the GameUp Africa itch.io page and stay tuned for updates on the March showcase. Follow us on social media @maliyogames for the latest news, upcoming events, and more!
Together, let’s continue to create, innovate, and counter malign influence through the power of games.
