FG TO DISPLAY NIGERIAN CULTURE IN LOCALLY MADE VIDEO GAMES
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Agency Report
Plans have been disclosed by Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, to realign the video game animation sector in Nigeria.
Musawa made this revelation at the Microsoft-hosted Xbox Developer Hangout in Lagos during the third quarter.
She said this will be done in such a way that every locally made video game will incorporate elements of Nigerian music, film, fashion, and culture.
She added that discussions with Microsoft will aid in the realisation of her ambition in that regard and that the business offers a wealth of job opportunities for young people.
She stated that although a draft document had been created to actualize the goal, Microsoft still needed to provide feedback.
“We want to look at the kind of innovation we can achieve through gaming, with the huge talent we have in the sector. I want the gaming space transformed and I know with collaborations we can achieve a lot.
“I promise to support in whatever capacity to actualise this and this is the reason I will continually remain grateful to President Bola Tinubu for creating the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.
“I perceive Nigerians as the most creative beings who will transform the gaming industry, the billion-dollar industry, with help and support from the government.
“We want to see a situation where our indigenous movies, peculiar fashion sense, music and elements of our culture will serve as contents of our locally produced video games,” she said.
Olatomiwa Williams, Microsoft’s country manager, had earlier stated that the company was dedicated to providing everyone with the resources they required to advance in the sector.
Williams stated that in order to accomplish President Tinubu’s goal of economic diversification, it is critical to take advantage of every opportunity.
“Partnering with the Federal Government is a thing of delight for us, young Nigerians deserve every right to thrive, and we are creating an inclusive industry also for women to thrive.
“Microsoft has been in existence for over 20 years and I can say that Nigerians have been contributing to our solution areas,” she said.
Also, Oluseye Soyode-Johnson, Founder, of NuConti, said, “The videogame industry is larger than the Nollywood and the global music industry, it is a billion-dollar industry which should be taken seriously.”
Speaking about the necessary resources for video games, Unreal Engine’s Matthew Isikhuemen listed several of them, including Twin Motion, Unreal Marketplace, Epic Games Store, Epic Mega Grants, Epic Game Education, and Epic Unreal Fellowship.
The Creative Director of Dimension II Games, Winston Ohunyon, pointed out that storytelling—which involved using description and going beyond conventional elements—was one way to incorporate culture into computer games.
“The tools for this description can be seen in the plot, setting, theme, characterisation, composition, dialogue, story and all.
“We must be careful about how the stories are relayed to protect our identity as a nation or a continent,” he said.
Also, Dooshima Anger, Founder of Dooshimagames, noted that to fully support inclusivity in the video game industry in Nigeria, more collaborations and awareness must created.
Bolaji Akingbade, Chief Executive Officer of Kucheza, said, “I can see a lot more parallel industry when we talk of women representation in the video game industry.
“We need more intervention in the early Secondary School levels to influence active participation.’
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