Field Notes (12): Jiwe Studios
Bringing African experiences to gaming
Jiwe Studios, an African-based game development company, specializes in creating educational digital content that addresses significant social issues through interactive gaming. The studio integrates rigorous research with innovative storytelling, producing games that are both engaging and informative, reflecting a commitment to cultural authenticity and historical insight.
The studio's recent project, 'Usawa,' received the Impact Games Award at the Fak'ugesi Festival, recognizing its contribution to digital creativity and educational gaming. 'Usawa' employs an Afro-futuristic setting and interactive mini-games to explore the historical legacies of descent-based slavery. The narrative is grounded in qualitative research and firsthand accounts from Malian villagers, forming part of the "Gaming against slavery" initiative under the Djonya Kêlè Ja Toulon project, supported by Donkosira. This Malian non-profit organization focuses on promoting knowledge from marginalized West African communities. The game's development involved collaboration with various experts and scholars, including Max Musau from Jiwe Studios, along with Andrew Atianyi, Amath Ndiaye, Bamba Diop, and Massiré Tounkara, with academic support from SOAS University of London through its ESRC Impact Acceleration Account.
The recognition of 'Usawa' at the Fak'ugesi Festival, a prominent venue for African digital innovation, underscores the game's role in educational and social impact gaming. This acknowledgment highlights the collaborative effort that spans continents and cultures, combining scholarly research, local narratives, and game design. 'Usawa' serves as an educational tool, enhancing understanding of the complexities of historical slavery and promoting empathy among players. This award establishes a benchmark for the studio’s future projects in impact gaming, highlighting the potential of digital platforms to address complex social issues through interactive media.
Learn more at
https://jiwe.studio/