Glitch Portal is a new game development studio that brings South African culture and narratives to life through games.
At rAge, they will exhibit their first-ever game, Themba: The Last Hope. The game is a retro-pixel roguelike game about a little boy named Themba who pairs up with the spirit of Shaka Zulu to save his best friend, who has been kidnapped by an evil overlord named Ntate Moloi.
Along the way, he fights African mythological creatures, and players will learn isiZulu as they make their way through the land of Azania.
Glitch Portal provides fantasy cultural storytelling via gaming. The main focus for the studio is to embrace and celebrate SA culture through edutainment. The studio is based in Johannesburg and was founded in 2020 to create immersive gaming experiences that captivate and inspire.
The team, a blend of multiskilled creatives, thrives on pushing the boundaries of gaming. They’re not just game developers. Instead, they’re storytellers, artists, and adventurers dedicated to crafting pixel-perfect worlds in which players can lose themselves.
Visitors to rAge can play the game’s demo on mobile and PC. There will also be poster prints and button badges available for sale. Themba’s bucket hat will also be available for visitors who might want to purchase merchandise for the game.
Glitch Portal believes that games should be both entertaining and educational, which is why their flagship game, Themba: The Last Hope, is so deeply rooted in South African culture, offering players the chance to embark
on thrilling adventures while learning about our rich heritage.
The game is currently in its Alpha Build stage. Still, creativity, passion, and a deep appreciation for South African legends and landscapes have driven its development process.
If you love the sound of this and want to keep up to date with the work that Glitch Portal does, you can follow them on Instagram or TikTok.
For more info about the upcoming rAge Expo 2023 and to get tickets, follow the link here.