South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, famous for being home to a diverse range of wildlife. With this in mind, it is surprising that it hasn’t been used as a setting for games more frequently. There have been a few iconic games that have taken place in South Africa over the years, but more would be welcome. With the gaming industry on the rise in the country, there is a chance that there will be a greater number of titles set in South Africa in the years ahead.
South Africa Has Been the Setting for Some Great Games
There have been less than 50 video games set in South Africa to date, which is why it feels like there should be more in this stunning setting. Some of the games that have taken place in the country have been memorable and should inspire developers to consider it as a location for their titles.
One of the most famous games that used South Africa as one of its locations was Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X 2. This was a combat flight simulator developed by Ubisoft Bucharest, released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows in 2010. In one of the missions, players had to travel to Cape Town to secure a nuclear warhead. Another high octane action game to feature South Africa was Metal Gear in 1987. Players had to infiltrate a high-security fortress in the country.
There have been a fair few sports games set in South Africa, thanks to the nation’s love of competition. Various editions of EA Sports Rugby, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, and MotoGP have featured South Africa.
Gaming Industry Is on the Rise
One of the reasons why it is fair to suggest that there could be more games set in South Africa in the future is because the gaming industry is on the rise in the country. As more people start playing, developers will have to create titles that appeal to South African nationals. One of the ways to do this would be through using familiar settings as a backdrop to the games.
The gaming industry is growing thanks to the greater availability of the internet in South Africa in recent years. That has helped online gaming to flourish, and it is reflected in sectors such as the online casino industry. This is highlighted by the sheer number of sites marketing themselves to players in the country, listed at Casinos.co.za. Not only are there international sites marketing themselves to South Africans, but there are also local brands cropping up. They vie for the attention of players through welcome bonuses and by trying to offer the best games. There are even guides available for players too.
Increased internet penetration has also led to growth in the mobile gaming industry. There are now many South African publishers emerging, and they are finding success in the Google Play store. According to 42 Matters, games from developers in the country have a greater number of ratings than average.
Is South Africa The Perfect Setting For Adventure?
Developers looking for an excellent setting for an adventure game would be wise to choose South Africa. Not only does it have many well-known cities that could feature some action, such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, it also has some of the most amazing countrysides on the planet.
The Kruger National Park is probably the best-known spot, and it is absolutely bursting with wildlife. It could act as a setting for a nature-based game, or perhaps a survival-style offering. Aside from that, the country is home to stunning coastlines that could act as an alternative location within a game. Something in the vein of Uncharted, where players have to search for clues, could be a good option.
With graphics in games improving by the year, developers will need to think more carefully about the settings they use. They will have to choose visually stunning locations, and South Africa fits the bill. With gaming on the rise in the country as well, developers may want to create games that will appeal to players there.
