CrazyLabs Gaming Accelerator Programme Launched in Cape Town

Mobile gaming platform Carry1st and developer CrazyLabs have launched an accelerator programme in Cape Town. The accelerator aims to promote African game development. The companies announced CrazyHubs Cape Town on 24 May. “The African continent is latent with potential for great ideas to be transformed into world-class gaming experiences,” CrazyLabs VP of Business Development, Omri Henkin said in a statement.

This is the first time CrazyLabs has hosted a hub on the African continent. Countries that have ongoing hubs include India, Poland, Israel, Turkey, and Serbia. Hyper-casual, free-to-play mobile games have experienced major growth during the last few years. They are quick to develop and have the potential to be profitable 18 to 36 months after launch.

Launched in 2010, CrazyLabs offers a wide selection of casual and hyper-casual mobile games with over 4 billion downloads to date. The programme will bring together artists, designers, programmers and developers to work together to showcase African gaming ideas and establish a local mobile gaming ecosystem.

Carry1st COO, Lucy Hoffman said: “Together with CrazyLabs, we are invested in growing the mobile gaming ecosystem in Africa by providing the next generation of developers with the skills, resources, and network to reach millions of users globally.”

When does CrazyHubs Cape Town commence?

The CrazyHubs Cape Town programme will start in September and run for a minimum of three months. It will be extendable up to six months. During the programme, participants will receive training from industry experts and a monthly stipend. They will also have the opportunity to launch their incubated games on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Upon completion of the programme, each participant will receive a certificate. CrazyLabs will review the applications during July and August and select ten teams of 2-3 individuals to participate. They may match individual participants with others if they are not part of a team.

You can apply for CrazyHubs Cape Town on the CrazyLabs website.