APPLICATION DEADLINE // 21 JULY 2025
Are you an African storyteller , scientist or game developer ?
As the world transitions, the way we tell stories about that world is transitioning too. Video games have become one of the premier storytelling channels, played by over three billion people, and transcending every demographic from age to income to geography to gender. This has created an incredible opportunity to use that power for the benefit of the planet.
How can the immersion and depth of experience a game provides be used to activate a new generation of conservationists? How can we use games to put players into the story rather than passive watchers of it? What role can gaming play in a world where climate adaptation is at the forefront?
NEWF, in collaboration with Internet for Elephants, calls for *storytellers, scientists and game developers to join forces and participate in a 6 day Lab designed to craft game ideas with a purpose - the protection and conservation of our natural world.
Facilitated by game designers and developers Gautam Shah and Jake Manion, a cohort of 6 will be selected and split into three teams - each team working together to design a proof of concept. Storytellers/scientists will be paired with game developers to rapidly create a prototype of the idea.
Open to African *storytellers, scientists, illustrators and game developers interested in learning how to expand the domain of nature storytelling to the channel of video games.
**Including filmmakers, journalists, animators, artists, photographers, writers etc
>> AFTER THE LAB Each team will be invited to use the draft game developed during the Lab to apply for a 10 000 USD grant to further design the game and bring their concept to life!
Are you ready?
Selected participants will join the #NEWFcommunity, a richly diverse collective of African and global storytellers, conservationists and scientists.
important info
>> The Lab will take place at 📍eKhaya, Sodwana Bay, South Africa.
>> Online Sessions: September 2025 - Once a week
>> Lab Dates: 6th - 12th October 2025 (excluding Travel)
what to expect
>> All-expenses including travel, meals and accommodation will be covered by NEWF.
>> Exclusive game design and storytelling 6-day workshop with like-minded creators to transform your storytelling into video game prototypes.
>> Collaboration with gamers, scientists and storytellers
>> Industry insights, sessions and hands-on building.
>> Game design experiences
application requirEments
>> Participants will be selected on the strength of their applications, game ideas to be developed during the Lab, their commitment to the schedule and motivation.
>> Only applications that are submitted using the submission form on our website will be considered. Please do not email your application.
>> Applications will be accepted in English, isiZulu, Kiswahili, French or Portuguese. However please note all instruction during the lab will be given in English so applicants must be comfortable communicating in English should they be successful.
>> Game Developers must have access to the resources (laptop, engines and software) necessary for game development and must be prepared to bring this with you to South Africa. *Negotiable upon review
is it you we’re looking for ?
Storytellers & Scientists:
We’re looking for individuals from backgrounds like film, photography, writing or science, who have a story to share, and are excited to see how that could be achieved through games. Your story could be about the work you do, a narrative you simply must share in an innovative way, or anything else related to the natural world. Maybe you’ve spent your career working in film, but have always been an avid gamer. Maybe you’re a science writer who has seen your audience’s passion for games, and wants to engage them with an important story. We’d love to hear why teaming you up with an experienced game developer will result in something incredible.
game developers:
We're looking for experienced individuals with a demonstrable love and understanding of games, who enjoy collaborating with others to bring ideas to life. You’re likely to have at least a few years of professional experience developing games, and also participate in game jams and other creative collaboration events. It will be your job to rapidly build and iterate-on playable prototypes, working to achieve your team’s objectives, and ‘find the fun’ in game-based storytelling. The Lab is platform- and engine-agnostic, with the most useful skills being around rapid and flexible development of distributable prototypes, so we’d love to hear about your technical approach and abilities.
general eligibility criteria
>> Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, from ANY African nationality, and preferably residing on the continent.
>> Must be available to travel to South Africa for the Lab, and committed to attending any online sessions prior to the Lab dates.
>> Applicants are responsible for obtaining and paying for their own visas and any associated visa application fees and covering all home-country transport costs including travel to visa appointments and to the airport and back.
Note on experience vs eligibility:
Given the circumstances when facing structural barriers in the industry, we will consider applications that do not necessarily meet the experience criteria directly. However, we expect a clear articulation of why your career trajectory positions you suitable to this Lab.
The lab will bring together natural world, climate and environmental storytellers and experienced game developers, to design and build game prototypes together. We will pair each storyteller with a game developer, and guide them through a prototype design & production process to tell their stories as successfully as possible, through a video game.
MEET THE FACILITATORS
Gautam Shah is the founder of Internet of Elephants, an organization at the forefront of transforming conservation support by rekindling connections between people and wildlife. Through innovative use of real scientific data on individual animals, they develop engaging digital experiences like games and gamified data visualizations. By collaborating with esteemed institutions such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Borneo Nature Foundation, WildCRU, and others Internet of Elephants aims to actively involve the public in wildlife conservation efforts. Gautam's focus on utilizing technology, storytelling, and play to inspire wildlife protection represents a unique approach in the conservation field, with a vision to drive positive change in how society interacts with and supports environmental causes. Gautam is a TED Fellow and a National Geographic Storytelling Fellow as well.
GAUTAM SHAH
>> founder of Internet of Elephants
Jake Manion is a game director, designer and producer who has been in the games industry for over 20 years, with the last 9 years working across Africa, creating games for African and international markets. He is currently the Creative Director of Usiku Games in Kenya and the Group Creative Director of the Pan African Gaming Group, and was previously Head of Product at Internet of Elephants and a Creative Director at Aardman Animations in the UK.
JAKE MANION
>> gROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Pan Africa Gaming Group
Please Note:
// As the development of this game takes place within the Lab, all IP of the game remains with the entirety of each team. All information is shared and should anyone take a game pitch into further development, all team members must be in agreement.
// Courses will be conducted in English.
// Applicants must be able to commit availability to the schedule set out above.
// Only shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.
For more info contact info@newf.co.za
