Microsoft, through its Africa Transformation Office (ATO), has announced Xbox Game Studios Game Camp Africa, a two-day conference to recognize and celebrate all game developers in more than 50 different countries and regions. The conference will take place on July 15 this yearth and 16th and is now open for applications.
Xbox Game Studios Game Camp is an initiative that brings together diverse Xbox initiatives under one roof, celebrating talent and empowering game developers to achieve their dreams. While the camp, including presentations, panels and workshops, is available online to all registered campers, the game camp will also host two walk-in locations for campers over the three days in Microsoft Cairo and Johannesburg. These sites offer viewing parties, on-site panel sessions, and opportunities to meet with Microsoft and Xbox employees. Additionally, teams or individuals with matches are encouraged to do so.
Now in its second year and fifth event, the Xbox Game Studios Game Camp program aims to empower developers around the world to fulfill their potential in the gaming industry through unique learning experiences from industry leaders.
“At Xbox, we are dedicated to bringing the joy and community of gaming to the world’s 3 billion gamers, and we recognize that Africa is home to the world’s largest youth population, many of whom enjoy gaming. In 2019, I attended the launch of our Africa Development Center and met with technology leaders, educators and developers from across the region to understand their vision for the future of game development. Through the inaugural Xbox Game Studios Game Camp Africa, in partnership with Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office, we have the opportunity to further deepen our relationships with talented developers in the region and help African game studios transform their vision and role in the global games industry make it happen,” said Phil Spencer, CEO, Gaming at Microsoft.
To participate, individuals must be of legal age, resident of any country on the African continent, studying or working part or full time in software development, visual arts, 3D, music and audio, web design, narrative design. or professional project management. For the full list of eligibility requirements, see Visit the official site.
“At Microsoft, we’re excited to give African game developers and creators access to tools and resources to build faster and help their games be discovered by gamers in Africa and around the world. We want to firmly anchor ourselves in this important market for gaming and game development. ATO and Xbox staff will also join forces to identify game studios to invest in through our start-up acceleration program and venture capital investment partners. I look forward to seeing what innovative concepts this game camp will bring to the table,” said Wael Elkabbany, Strategic Initiatives Lead for Microsoft CEMA.
During Xbox Game Studios Game Camp Africa on July 15thth and 16th This year, attendees will attend remotely via Microsoft Teams or attend in person at four open house locations in Cairo, Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi. Xbox employees and external program partners will conduct workshops on various game development topics during the training. The two full days are themed “The Journey of a Game” and offer diverse perspectives on the often complex craft of game development. Additionally, there will be significant online learning components at the camp, allowing attendees to engage in pre- and post-event focused training modules on topics that closely match their skills and interests.
