VGDA talks about Ghana’s Small but Growing Game Development Industry Takes Shape
The Video Game Developers Association (VGDA) had a conversation at NerdCon about what it really takes for young people to turn their interest in games into something more serious.
One of the points that stood out was how these interests often start when people are young.
A child might grow up wanting to become a footballer because they love football. They believe they can do it, they enjoy playing and they see themselves doing it in the future. Gaming can start in much the same way.
A young person may spend hours playing games and eventually begin asking different questions: How was this game made? Who created it? Could I make something like this myself?
But wanting to do something and actually having the opportunity to pursue it are two different things.
During the discussion, the issue of infrastructure came up. Aspiring developers are not all starting from the same position. Some have access to good computers, reliable internet, software, training and other resources, while others are trying to learn with whatever they have available.
That difference can make it difficult for a developer with talent and passion to compete.
The VGDA conversation also touched on something many gamers will recognise the idea that playing games is not considered serious.
For years, gaming has often been dismissed as something young people do simply to waste time. A child saying they want to become a game developer may not receive the same reaction as someone saying they want to become a doctor, lawyer or engineer.
But game development is work.
There are programmers writing the code, artists creating the visuals, designers building the gameplay, writers developing the story and sound professionals working on the audio. All of these roles come together to produce the games people spend hours playing.
And while Ghana’s game development industry is still small, there are signs that things are beginning to move.
The presence of studios such as Leti Arts, Organized Chaos and Relu Interactive at GASCOM is one example. These are local developers putting their work in front of an audience and showing that game development in Ghana is not just an idea being discussed it is something people are actually building.
For a relatively young and small industry, that matters.
It also shows why conversations such as the one at NerdCon are becoming more relevant. Developers are not working in isolation anymore. There is a growing community, more opportunities to meet, showcase work, exchange ideas and talk about the problems that continue to hold the industry back.
The VGDA’s involvement adds another part to that conversation by giving developers a collective voice.
There is still a long way to go. Access to equipment, funding, training and sustainable opportunities remains a challenge. But the picture is changing.
A few years ago, the idea of a Ghanaian game development industry could easily have been dismissed as something too small to matter. Today, local studios are creating games, developers are showing their work at events, and organisations are beginning to speak openly about what the industry needs.
It may still be a small industry,But through the VGDA but it is taking steps forward.
And for the young person sitting at home playing a game and dreaming about making one someday, that could be the most important part of all.
Gaming might look like play from the outside. For some young people, however, it could be the beginning of a career.
