SpaeSalad: Left-Right Neo Ramathinyane, Wandile Matsebula , Thabo Tsolo, Thabi Koma, and Minentle Ndzala Picture: Supplied
Independent game company SpaceSalad Studios is not taking lightly its collaboration with the reality TV show Tropika Island of Treasure to produce a game for the popular show, which gives viewers a chance at winning.
“Our games will be showcased across multiple platforms (SABC 1, SABC 3), meaning more eyes on SpaceSalad,” SpaceSalad Studios’ Lead Sound Designer and Social Media Manager, Wandile Matsebula told The Citizen.
“This could lead to increased player interest, downloads, and engagement, as viewers who enjoy the show might be motivated to try our games.”
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There is a running competition on the current season of Tropika Island of Treasure in Zanzibar, sponsored by World Sports Betting (WSB) which gives viewers a chance at winning a share of R60,000 by predicting the winner of this season.
“WSB approached us, sent us a brief and from there we started working on gamifying the different Tropika Island of Treasure episodes,” he shared.
Mastsebula said the collaboration wouldn’t have been possible without SapceSalad funders and advisers, Aions Creative Technology.
The games will be active until the end of the reality show.
“For now, the games that are related to the shows that have aired are available to the public. They can still play and stand a chance to win their share of R60 000 cash,” Mastsebula shared.
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Found in 2019, SpaceSalad Studios consists of five members between the ages of 26 and 27 years old.
Their name is reflective of a cocktail of skill and know-how within the group. The quintet of gamers studied a variety of things from business, game development, psychology and archaeology but are tied together by their passion for gaming.
The other members are Lead Developer Rethabile Koma, Visual Development Artist, 2D Animator Neo Ramathinyane, Sound Designer and Business Administrator Minentle Ndzala, and Game Designer and 3D Animator Thabo Tsolo. All five members sit as directors of the five-year-old company.
Mastsebula said the collaboration with the TV show has helped with giving SpaceSalad a bigger reach.
“Tropika Island of Treasure is a popular reality show with a wide audience, giving our games mainstream exposure across various demographics. Partnering with established brands like Tropika and WSB allows our studio to reach audiences that might not typically engage with indie games,” he said.
Earlier this year, just before the country’s general elections, SpaceSalad released a simulator game where players have the opportunity to step into the shoes of a political leader and make decisions that shape the future of their nation.
The game is named P.O.O Weekly.
“In retrospect, releasing it on app stores would have made it more accessible to the general public, however, we could not sort that out in time, we had to release it on our website,” said Mastsebula.
“We have now managed to release it on app stores and we are receiving hundreds of downloads. It is our best-performing game.”
One of their most interesting games to date is Doba Dash which is a 3D combat racing game about recycling, climate change and the champions racing to beat global warming.
If you’ve been around South Africa’s metros, the game will look very familiar and quite realistic in how reminiscent it is of street surfers with recyclable material in their big sacks.
SpaceSalad was nominated for several awards at the Game Connection x China Joy Indie Game Development Awards, including Best Upcoming Game, Grand Award, and People’s Choice Award for one of their games Hot Bunz last year.
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The inaugural Joburg Games Fest is set to take place this weekend.
Joburg Games is a community-driven event for game makers. The event is a celebration of making games, creating art, collaboration, and the growing game development community in Johannesburg.
Although SpaceSalad won’t be participating in this year’s game fest because of other commitments, Matsebula said such initiatives and platforms are vital for the growth of gaming in the country.
“We find Joburg Games Fest very important. Firstly because Joburg really needs a fest. Usually, people flock to Cape Town, but not everyone from Joburg can afford that trip,” he said.
The event is being run in partnership with the Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg and major studios in the city, including Nyamakop, 24 Bit Games, ITTYNK, and Two Name Games.
Matsebula said the festival presents a platform to unite key players in the gaming landscape.
“This gives the audience a chance to get familiar with Joburg’s vibrant gaming scene. Lastly, this fest gives independent studios a chance to showcase their incredible work and talent which can help them sell.”
The South African gaming industry has experienced significant growth, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 4.7% since 2020.
To further stimulate this growth, a team of collective entities in the gaming industry, collectively known as “the AfriGames” consortium, has secured R12.9 million in funding from the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund initiative.
The consortium, comprised of key players in the gaming, educational, training and content industries, and with the support of the National Treasury, aims to develop six SMMEs, create 152 jobs, and train 121 young people in the local gaming sector over the next two years.
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