From Aki and Pawpaw Epic Run to Cultural Architect: How Novatrax Studio is Transforming African Gaming

Gideon Uwem, a Game Experience Designer and CEO of Novatrax Studio, is on a mission to bring African narratives to global audiences through immersive gaming. Inspired by the cultural impact of titles like Ghost of Tsushima for Japan, Uwem aims to tell authentic African stories in interactive formats, filling a notable gap in the global gaming market.

While African music and film, such as Afrobeats and Nollywood, have achieved international recognition, African gaming remains underrepresented. Novatrax Studio is stepping in to change that narrative, positioning itself at the forefront of the African gaming revolution.

Uwem’s journey into culturally-centered gaming reached a landmark with Aki and Pawpaw Epic Run. Transitioning from product design to game interface design, Uwem’s first major contract led to this project. The game resonated widely, amassing over 400,000 downloads, proving the demand for African-themed content and providing the validation needed to establish Novatrax Studio.

The success of Aki and Pawpaw Epic Run cemented Uwem’s vision: games could be more than entertainment they could be a platform for cultural storytelling.

For Uwem, Novatrax Studio is about more than just games it’s about reshaping global perceptions of Africa through interactive experiences.

Core Goals:

• Cultural Representation: Games where African stories, settings, and traditions are central.
• Global Reach: Titles designed to appeal to both African and international audiences.
• Platform for Stories: Using gaming to connect players worldwide to Africa’s rich, diverse narratives.

With training from EdoBits Academy, Uwem has leveraged technology as a cultural and architectural tool, demonstrating the potential of African gaming to compete on the world stage.

As Novatrax develops new titles, the studio is riding a global trend: audiences crave authentic, diverse voices in entertainment. Gideon Uwem and his team are creating an era where players can explore and experience Africa from the comfort of their gaming console, heralding a new chapter for the continent’s gaming industry.

Novatrax Studio African gaming revolution is not just a tagline it’s a movement, blending innovation, culture, and global storytelling in one immersive experience.