“A place for good people and good people only” These were the opening words of Ashley at the GameDev Meetup, which took place on the 13th of March 2025, at Goethe-Institut, Parkwood. This monthly gathering, held every second Thursday, provides a platform for game developers to engage in talks, showcases, and playtests.
The event fosters asafe and welcoming space for everyone. The meetup began with a look back at trailers showcasing games developed by students of the Goethe-Institut, followed by a 60-second introduction session, where attendees introduced themselves and shared insights into their current projects. This was a great opportunity to network, allowing developers to connect with peers in the industry.
The first HyperTalk session featured Khumo Moerane from Disputed People Games, who took attendees through the prototype journey of their games.
One of the key highlights was Khamani: The Lion of Summer, the first-ever game developed by the studio. This game, which celebrates its second anniversary this month, draws inspiration from African mythology, featuring gods like Shango, who relentlessly battles Khamani. Khumo also introduced Hyper Star Fury, where Khamani ventures into space to face Shango once again.
Khumo explained that the team is actively experimenting with prototypes to create games that people genuinely enjoy playing.
Another project discussed was Plant Mom Match, a game that deviates from Disputed People Games’ usual African mythology themes. Instead, it was inspired by a specific target audience—a skateboarder, plant lover, and fan of match-3 games. The result? A unique puzzle game that merges these elements.
He also spoke about I Saw A Kraken, a game created for the Boss Rush Game Jam on Itch.io, showcasing the studio’s versatility in game development.
The next HyperTalk featured Ulysses at Sea, a Dune enthusiast, who discussed financial strategies, Cash In, Cash Out. He provided five key finance tips—not as legal advice, but as practical industry insights:
- You are able to work for free but not for nothing: An equal exchange of value ensures long-term benefits.
- Scared money makes no money: Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself—as referenced in the album Yes Lawd! by Nx Worries.
- Contracts aren’t scary, people are scary and annoying: If something in a contract seems sketchy, the person behind it probably is too.
- You must ask for a treat, close mouths don’t get fed- Be proactive about opportunities.
- What’s in a rate: Understand your worth, industry rates, and company rates. “You deserve it all,” as quoted from Kendrick Lamar.
He concluded by emphasizing that financial literacy takes time, practice and most importantly—money.
To wrap up the event, attendees participated in the Pitchathon, where developers had 30 seconds to pitch their game ideas. After the pitches, attendees had the chance to playtest several exciting games, including games from Disputed People Games:
- Hyper Star Fury – an old-school arcade top-down shooter inspired by classic games of the genre. Set in an Afrofuturistic universe, players take on the role of Khamani, the hotshot pilot of the SS Apedemak and engage in an epic intergalactic battle against the pirate forces of Shango, the dreaded space God of Thunder.
- I Saw a Kraken –a fast-paced boss rush game where you spin around a swirling sea tornado, battling terrifying aquatic bosses with your Viking ship’s mighty saw.
- Khamani: The Lion of Summer –a 3D fast-paced Action-Adventure video game inspired by the rich tapestry of the African Gods and Mythology. Player’s step into the powerful role of Khamani, a Nubian Archer and embark on a thrilling journey to prove their worth in the Arena of the Gods.
The GameDev Meet Up continues to be a jam-packed event filled with insightful discussions, networking, and hands-on game experiences. It remains a vital space for the growth of game developers in the community.
The next GameDev Meetup event will be happening on the 10th of April 2025 at Goethe Intitut. To find out more about the event, check out their social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecampus.gamejam/
