Movies, animation, comics, gaming and tech. Want to know what’s happening in Africa and beyond? Here’s the Run Down for this week.

NEWS OUT OF AFRICA – Gaming/Animation

The Gara Store: Africa’s Answer to the Google and Apps Store

Developed by Teddy Kossoko, the Gara Store is a platform being dubbed as Africa’s answer to Google and App Stores for African creators.

Designed specifically for Africa, the platform gives users access to content customized for them such as eBooks, games, apps and music. It also allows content creators bypass intermediaries and reach aver 500 million potential African customers.

Though still in development, Gara Store has already snatched up its first African game!

Gara Store Snatches up Its First African Title, Battle of Nairobi

Ahead of its scheduled launch in January, 2022 The Gara Store has signed on its first title, Battle of Nairobi.

Reminiscent of late 90s classics, Streets of Rage and Double Dragon, Battle of Nairobi is a side scrolling beat ‘em up that also happens to be the first game of Kenyan game development studio, GrandCentral Stations.

In a bid to help them gain enough funding for future projects, Gara Store has also agreed to offer GrandCentral Station 80% of each sale.

Find out more https://gamesindustryafrica.com/2021/08/25/gara-store-signs-first-game-to-platform/

Foolen Games Are Building the African Video Game Industry

Foolen Games, (translated to Win in Fulani) is a brand new platform set out to address prevailing issues in game development in Africa.

Tackling concerns of gamers’ livelihood, mobile money, rewards systems and having African developers benefit from their work, Foolen Games desires to make game development in Africa more viable as well as become a home for African gamers.

According to co-founder, Azyz Kouyo, Foolen Games believes in “building the African video game industry in the best possible way”, and this project is how they plan to do that.

No official date has been set, but Foolen Games hope to launch sometime in 2022.

Find out more https://gamesindustryafrica.com/2021/08/30/foolen-games-to-launch-video-game-platform/

NEWS BEYOND AFRICA – Movies/Entertainment

Tom Holland’s Peter Parker Messes with the Multiverse in Spider-Man: No Way Home Official Teaser Trailer

Marvel has finally released the official trailer to their latest Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: No Way Home!

Following the events of Spider Man: Far From Home, Peter Parker’s identity as Spider Man has been revealed to the world and has placed him on the most wanted list.

In an effort to get his life back to normal, Peter calls upon the help of Dr. Strange to alter events so that everyone forgets he is Spider-Man. But when Peter unwittingly tampers with the process and in turn the mysterious Multiverse, things get a little more chaotic that either of them had planned for.

Check out the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKVSRXqsCDw

Once again starring, Tom Holland as Peter Parker and Zendaya as MJ, the film will also guest feature Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr Strange and newcomer, Alfred Molina as the villainous Dr Oc.

Spider-Man: No Way Home is scheduled for release 17 December, 2021.

Check out more https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/trailer-for-new-spidey-movie-sets-global-viewing-record/