GDC 13: How to make it as your country’s first game developer

The founders of Ghana’s first ever game studio have spoken at GDC 13 on how to make it in the industry without support from a local ecosystem.

As reported by Buzzfeed, mobile studio Leti Games was set up by developers Eyram Tawia and Wesley Kirinya in 2009.

As well as being the first game development outfit in Ghana, the studio is just one of two professional game companies in sub-Saharan Africa.

The developer released its debut title, Space Invaders-inspired iOS game iWarrior, in 2009 with the help of investment from Norway-based software company Meltwater Foundation.

Now housing ten employees, Kirinya and Tawia said they had to train up developers themselves through internship programs with local students which teaches them animation, modelling, story writing and programming, with 25 developers using the program since 2011.

The developers have also had to find new ways to monetise their games, such as using mobile phone payments, with many people in Ghana not owning credit or debit cards.

"We believe there is a global market for Leti Games," said Tawia.

"Our focus is to make games from Africa for the world, not just games for Africa. However, we want to create the gaming industry in Africa before diving into global competition."

Tawia added: "We are on the verge of creating not just a game company, but an entire industry."

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