Clever Quip Highlights Game Launch Challenges
South Africa-based game studio Nyamakop recently made headlines with a humorous take on video game launch challenges. They posted a map on social media, jokingly labeling it as the “WORLDWIDE release times for Relooted’s launch,” set to occur tomorrow.
Relooted Launch Details
The initial map featured only three release times for four cities: Lagos at 4 PM, Cairo at 5 PM, and Johannesburg at 5 PM, with Nairobi following at 6 PM. However, a subsequent map added multiple cities, stretching from Los Angeles to Beijing. This playful approach emphasized the game’s truly global availability.
About Relooted
Relooted, released globally today, is a PC and Xbox heist game that focuses on the repatriation of art and artifacts. Players engage in missions to break into fortified locations and reclaim real art stolen from Africa. This theme resonates deeply, given its historical context, as many artifacts remain in Western museums.
Game Background and Cultural Context
- Release Date: Available worldwide from [insert release date here].
- Platform: PC and Xbox.
- Theme: Repatriation of African art and artifacts.
Notably, the studio’s lead game designer, Ben Myres, acknowledged the map’s context, reflecting on the pervasive trend of video game launch graphics that often exclude Africa. This ongoing oversight was highlighted by game critic Tauriq Moosa, who documented the absence of African cities in previous launch-time maps throughout 2023.
This awareness underscores the importance of inclusivity in the gaming industry. As game developers like Nyamakop push the boundaries of storytelling and representation, players are invited to engage in dialogues surrounding cultural artifacts and their rightful origins.
