FG to showcase Nigerian culture in locally produced video games

Plans have been disclosed by Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, to realign the video game animation sector in Nigeria.

Musawa made this revelation at the Microsoft-hosted Xbox Developer Hangout in Lagos during the third quarter.

She said this will be done in a way that every locally made video game will incorporate elements of Nigerian music, film, fashion, and culture.

She added that discussions with Microsoft will contribute in the realization of her ambition in that regard and that the business offers a wealth of job opportunities for young people.

She stated that although a draft paper had been created to actualize the goal, Microsoft still needed to provide feedback.

“With the abundance of expertise in the game industry, we want to examine the kind of innovation that may be accomplished through this medium. I want to see a transformation in the gaming industry, and I know we can do a lot together.

“I pledge to provide whatever assistance I can to make this a reality, which is why I will always be appreciative to President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.

Nigerians, in my opinion, are the most imaginative people on the planet, and with government assistance, they will revolutionize the billion-dollar gaming sector.

She stated, “We want to see a situation where our locally produced video games will serve as contents of our indigenous movies, peculiar fashion sense, music, and elements of our culture.”

Olatomiwa Williams, Microsoft’s country manager, had earlier stated that the company was dedicated to providing everyone with the resources they required to advance in the sector.

Williams stated that in order to accomplish President Tinubu’s goal of economic diversification, it is critical to take advantage of every opportunity.

We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Federal Government because we believe that young Nigerians should have every opportunity to succeed and that we are building an industry that is inclusive of women.

“Nigerians have contributed to our solution areas for over 20 years that Microsoft has been in business,” the woman stated.

Oluseye Soyode-Johnson, the NuConti founder, added, “The videogame industry is a billion-dollar industry that should be taken seriously; it is larger than Nollywood and the global music industry.”

Speaking about the necessary resources for video games, Unreal Engine’s Matthew Isikhuemen listed several of them, including twin motion, unreal marketplace, epic games store, epic mega grants, epic game education, and epic unreal fellowship.

The Creative Director of Dimension II Games, Winston Ohunyon, pointed out that storytelling—which involved using description and going beyond conventional elements—was one way to incorporate culture into computer games.

“The story, dialogue, composition, setting, topic, character development, and overall plot all serve as tools for this description.

To preserve our identity as a continent or a country, we must exercise caution in the stories we tell,” he stated.

The founder of Dooshimagames, Dooshima Anger, added that greater awareness and collaboration are needed in order to properly support diversity in the Nigerian video game business.

“I can see a lot more parallel industry when we talk about women representation in the video game industry,” stated Bolaji Akingbade, CEO of Kucheza.

“More early secondary school intervention is required to encourage active involvement.