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 – Entertainment/Gaming
Usiku Games Release A Sign Language Game
Kenyan mobile game development company, Usiku Games has created a unique and groundbreaking game in celebration of the International Week of Deaf People 2021 and International Day of Sign Languages.
The edutainment game, Tizi Sign Language is geared towards helping school- going children learn sign language and connect and communicate with peers with hearing disabilities.
The game makes use of fun, interactive elements and mini-games to teach players Kenyan sign language. It also contains a library of both the signs and numbers that children can reference.
In the words of CEO and Founder of Usiku Games, Jay Shapiro their desire is that this new game plays a role in “bringing hearing and deaf children closer together.”
Find out more https://gamesindustryafrica.com/2021/09/29/usiku-games-develops-a-mobile-sign-language-game/
A Brand New App Brings African Culture Spread to African Diaspora
When lockdowns were implemented throughout the globe in 2020 following the outbreak of the Corona Virus, many parents found themselves searching for ways to entertain their now house-bound children.
One such parent was Ugandan-America animator, Solomon Jagwe. Undeterred by the current situation he created an app that he soon realised would work not only for his children, but children of many Ugandan Diaspora.
The Adventures of Nkoza And Nankya
Jagwe is well known for his TV series, The Adventures of Nkoza And Nankya a show that seeks to help parents and children of African descent across the globe develop a love for African languages, folktales and culture as a whole.
Based on the series, Jagwe’s app does much the same as it allows children to learn free, self-paced lessons from dance to languages. The app which had a mere 800 downloads prior to COVID-19 breakout, has since increased to 8 500 downloads across iOS and Amazon.
Players can visit the game’s website, https://www.nkozaandnankya.com/ and gain access to stories, music as well as the mobile apps.
Check out more https://youtu.be/XPvLoAhQnG0
NEWS BEYOND AFRICA – Comics/Movies
Keanu Reeves Goes From Actor to Comic Book Author
Having been entertaining the world for almost decade in action films such as Speed, The Matrix and John Wick, renowned actor Keanu Reeves is now trying his hand as a comic book author.
Back in 2017 after envisioning a character deep in the middle of a battle going ‘’berserk” Reeves pitched his idea to BOOM Studios. The result was an offer to turn his fledgling idea into a comic book. Keanu answered with a resounding “yes” and BRZRKR was born.
BRZRKR
Based on Keanu Reeves original idea, BRZRKR is a comic that follows the story of a half- human, half -god cursed with an impulse for violence. The story chronicles the character’s struggles and trials over 80 000 years of existence and takes readers through the different ages of human history.
Co- written by bestselling writer, Matt Kindt and illustrated by Ron Garney (Marvel) BRZRKR is, in the words of Reeves himself, “a story for our times and all times, about who we are and why we are”.
Volume one of the 4 issues anthology is scheduled for release this October.
Find out more https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/03/arts/keanu-reeves-comic-book.html
Riot Releases Arcane’s Official Trailer!
Fuelled by the love League of Legends fans have for the MOBA game, RiotGames has confidently stepped into a new chapter. Moving from gaming to entertainment, they have teamed up with Netflix to release their new animated series Arcane.
Based in the world of League of Legends, Arcane follows the back story of two of the game’s champions, Jinx and Vi and reveals how they became who they are now.
The series also delves deeper the fragile balance that exists between wealthy, upper city, Piltover and the dark world of Zaun, a balance that is now being threatened by the creation of hextech, technology that allows anyone to wield magic.
Check out the official trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ps6nV4wiCE
The series will be told in 3 Acts with each one being 3 episodes long. Act 1 is scheduled to be released on 6 November, 2021 with the other two following on 13 November, 2021 and 20 November, 2021 respectively.
Check out more https://movieweb.com/arcane-trailer-tudum/