Devlyn van der Walt, a software developer from Middelburg, South Africa, has always had a passion for video games. Despite growing up in a town not known for video game production, his determination led him to pursue a career in game development.
After training as a software developer and learning game development on the side, Devlyn landed a job at Johannesburg-based 24 Bit Games. He has been with the company for over a year now and enjoys the challenging work they do.
Nicolina Visentin-E’Silva, the studio manager at 24 Bit Games, proudly showcases the company’s “wall of fame” displaying titles like Broforce and Cocoon, which have garnered international recognition. The success of 24 Bit Games led to its acquisition by Californian game publisher, Annapurna Interactive.
The video game industry in South Africa is small but growing, with more junior level staff being trained and universities offering game development courses. The country’s lower cost of living also makes it an attractive destination for gaming professionals.
Despite the challenges, such as the high cost of data and tech, South Africa’s gaming industry is poised for growth. With a diverse audience and a new wave of game developers emerging, the future looks promising for the South African gaming scene.
