Playful Obscura Announces Selected Game Developers for 2026 Arthouse Games Residency

The Playful Obscura Residency, a commissioned project under the GamesConnect AFRICA initiative, has announced the selection of two artists for its 2026 program in Accra, Ghana. Organized by the Goethe-Institut, Leti Arts, and A MAZE., the residency is designed to support practitioners working at the intersection of art, technology, and interactive media. The selected participants are Mame Faty Kane from Dakar, Senegal, and Jamil Osmar Ramos from Luanda, Angola.

The selection process reflects the growing momentum of the African arthouse game development scene. The 2026 open call attracted 77 applications from 16 different countries across the continent, underscoring a high level of interest and creative activity within this niche industry segment. The chosen developers will engage in an intensive three-week program aimed at fostering professional development and cross-cultural collaboration.

Participants receive a comprehensive support package, including a production budget of up to €1,000, a €300 stipend, and dedicated living and workspace accommodations in Accra. The residency structure emphasizes peer-to-peer learning, workshops, and open studio sessions, providing the artists with a platform to explore new creative boundaries while drawing inspiration from the local urban environment. By facilitating these connections, the program seeks to strengthen the regional creative community and advance the evolution of arthouse gaming in Africa.