The Xbox Game Camp, which got its start on the African continent in 2023, returns for a second edition of the “free, exciting 2-day celebration and conference about the art of video game development.” Microsoft confirmed the return of the conference yesterday, where it officially opened registration for the event.
“The event aims to recognize and celebrate all game creators across more than 50 diverse African countries and regions and will run on July 16-17, 2024,” Microsoft said. If you’re in the mood to be recognised by Xbox, you’ll need to register for the event — and keep your fingers crossed that you’re one of the lucky few chosen to attend.
Breaking Xbox Game Camp
“We’re excited to bring Game Camp to Africa for a second year running and look forward to strengthening its impact within the gaming community through practical new additions to the programme. Africa has a long track-record of giving rise to top developer talent, and we believe that affinity for producing tech talent can be harnessed to usher in a new era of exponential growth within the African gaming industry,” said Kalane Rampai, Microsoft SA’s MD.
Should you be fortunate enough to receive an invite, you’ll have three in-person locations to choose from – Johannesburg, Casablanca, and Nairobi in South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya respectively. Anyone not chosen or who simply can’t make it in person will be relegated to participate via the Camp’s online virtual event that weekend.
You’ve got until 28 June to get your name in before the Camp closes up shop. Xbox is only after individuals over the age of 18 residing in Africa who are currently studying, working part- or full-time in these fields: software development, visual arts, 3D, music and audio, web design, narrative design, or professional project management. If that’s you, what are you still doing here? Did we mention that registration is free?
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“Participants will also have the opportunity to present gaming and business ideas to a panel of experts who will then provide them with focused mentorship and coaching… Online resources include targeted training modules that closely match developers’ individual skills and interests. What’s more, participants can engage with these modules both before and after the event,” it said.
Wondering whether it’s worth the effort? Judging by the Camp’s inaugural event in 2023, this year’s follow-up is worth a look if you fall into those categories we mentioned. Microsoft highlighted plenty of African studios last year, most of which joined the Microsoft Founders Hub after the fact.
“Local creators such as Kunta Content, the first African Minecraft Marketplace developer, reaching new levels of success. The Nairobi developer has secured a partnership with the ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program to release an Xbox console version of their action game Hiru, which is based on African lore,” Xbox said in a release.