As the coronavirus outbreak widens and continues to put Kenyans under key and lock at home, Kenya’s mobile games company, Usiku Games wants to entertain you with its free-rated mobile application games. The gamers will no longer need to pay the usual Ksh.10 to access the games after the company suspended the payment until further notice.
CEO Jay Shapiro of Usiku Games believes making the games free will allow mobile app gamers to enjoy social distance policy that has been recommended by the governments and WHO as the best containment measure to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“As a part of our commitment to the idea of #GamingForGood, Usiku Games are making all of our mobile games available for free to the public in Kenya during this COVID-19 outbreak. For one to access these games, one is usually expected to buy 1000 digital coins (U-coins) which translates to Ksh.10. All you need is access the games now is the internet and a smartphone,” Jay Shapiro said in a statement to Kachwanya.com.
Mr. Shapiro noted that with the closure of schools and offices, Kenyans will have an alternative to entertain themselves away from social gatherings and games that require physical engagements.
“We know that many families are going to be stuck indoors for a while, with children home from school and offices closed. That will almost certainly lead to boredom and anxiety. Our made-in-Kenya games have all been designed to entertain via our smartphones,” he said.
Usiku Games seeks to create a fan-based of 1 million subscribers during this lockdown by providing each player with the usual average of three games per day at the same time abiding by the government guidelines of promoting non-violent content that is educative, entertaining and informative. Most of the games at Usiku Games are drawn from Kenyan culture and are in nationally accepted Swahili language.
CEO Jay Shapiro said the company has employed over 20 youths since its inception in Kenya with the majority of them coming from Kibera and Kangemi Slums. It also hires programmers, local rappers & songwriters for the games’ soundtracks, character designers, animators, content writers and digital marketers. Usiku Games has created a safe environment that parents can feel comfortable sharing with their families as all the games are non-violent, gender inclusive and encourage conservation of the climate and culture.
“We have designed our entire #GamingForGood as a counter-balance to the testosterone-driven sports betting industry that is sucking $37 billion annually out of the continent. Our goal is to create a fun, entertaining alternative that still provides that dopamine hit, while also making a positive change in the world,” said Mr.Shapiro.
Currently, Usiku Games runs over four games at every particular moment which includes Jam Noma – Drive your matatu out of traffic, Okoa Simba – rescue the lion by matching pairs of animals, Mama Mboga – slice the fruits & vegetables before the fall and Age of Asante – match the tiles and find your zen.
The Gaming company has also introduced a new game dubbed Maasai Mkali – Mario & Luigi’s Maasai cousin, a fun 2D game that pits the Maasai warrior up against the crows, red bulls and witch doctors, as the gamer tries to gather as many cattle as possible.
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