Gaming & tech expert Grant Hinds talk SA’s growing gaming scene and what’s trending
In the last few decades, gaming has transformed from a niche hobby into a global phenomenon that transcends age, culture and geography.
What began with pixellated adventures in arcades and on home consoles has now blossomed into an immersive universe where players can lose themselves in hyper- realistic graphics, expansive worlds and intricate storylines. Today, gaming isn’t just about playing – it’s about community, competition, and even career opportunities. From casual mobile games to the high-stakes arena of esports, the gaming industry is constantly evolving, pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity.
We spoke to Grant Hinds, one of South Africa’s most well- known professional gamers, tech enthusiasts and content creators, to get some insider information on gaming culture in SA and the latest trends.
GQ: Can you describe the general gaming culture in South Africa?
It’s bustling! Lots of people play video games. There’s a common perception that gaming is a small subsidiary; but in fact, it’s pretty large and pervasive everywhere, as people play different kinds of games. You’ll find that there’s a lot of mobile gaming. I like to think of gaming as similar to watching TV or reading books. You might say that someone is a “reader” or a “TV watcher”; and in the same sense, people are “gamers”, in that almost everyone does it.
In South Africa specifically, it’s a three-and-a-half billion rand industry, so a lot of people are participating in this space. In terms of culture, because there are so many different kinds of games, the whole culture is quite split up and segmented, depending mostly on the platforms people play their games on – console, PC or mobile – and the kinds of games that they play. It’s also separated by genre.
GQ: What are some of the most popular games and genres among South African gamers?
First-person shooters are one of the most popular genres in gaming. Counter-Strike, a team-based shooter, boasts a large player base here, as does Valorant. Thanks to Riot Games and Carry1st, Valorant now has local servers, which has attracted a significant number of players. These servers are often populated by competitive gamers who participate in leagues. Given the rich culture of shooters in South Africa, it’s no surprise that many people play these games avidly.
There’s also a significant culture around mobile gamers (Mobers), with a growing groundswell of players engaging in mobile games like Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG: Mobile. Even notable figures like Karen Zoid take PUBG: Mobile seriously. Personally, I’m heavily into League of Legends: Wild Rift, though I’m not sure about its local culture here. Additionally, FIFA enjoys immense popularity in South Africa, drawing many players online and prompting some to buy consoles solely for the game. It’s known for its highly competitive gameplay.
GQ: Can you give us insight into what the latest technological trends are in the SA gaming scene?
Identifying specific local trends can be challenging, and we generally follow the global trends. But I would say that technology for mobile gaming has made a huge impact. With the increasing power and capabilities of smartphones, mobile gaming platforms have become quite established, leading to a dramatic rise in competitive mobile gaming.
Call of Duty: Mobile is a great game, and something I wouldn’t expect to be competitive; but a lot of people are playing it competitively. Also, with the advent of free-to- play games – traditionally games cost about R1 000, and you have to do that annually, games like FIFA for example – but there’s a new business model where the game is free to play and then you can buy additional things in the game. This year, Call of Duty is going to be on Xbox, you can buy it or it’ll also be available as part of your Xbox Game Pass subscription. Which is awesome, and means that more people are going to have accessibility to play those games. And games like Apex Legends, Valorant, League of Legends and Dota are free to play, so the barriers to entry are a lot lower. So if you have a prolific console handset, like a smartphone, you can play these games.
GQ: Are technologies like VR and AR gaining traction among South African gamers?
Some of the technologies emerging in the gaming space are virtual reality (VR); there’s PlayStation VR2. But I still find that a lot of those technologies are fringe. They’re fringe globally and even more so in South Africa, because of the barrier to entry. You’ll have enthusiasts who are interested in those technologies and buying them.
The one fringe technology that is becoming really mainstream is that computers are actually getting a lot smaller, and you get something like the Asus ROG Ally and the MSI CLAW – they’re portable, fully- fledged PCs rolling with Windows 11 in them, and can play really high- end games. They kind of act like miniature handset consoles, like the Nintendo Switch. Because of that, it’s becoming a bit more prominent; and the more it drops in price, the form factors will become interesting, as you’ll find more people using it.
GQ: Can you give us insight into the local game development industry in South Africa?
Game development in South Africa is thriving, with several major studios making their mark. One notable studio is Free Lives, based in Cape Town. Their biggest publisher is the international Devolver Digital, known for games like Broforce, Gorn (a VR game), and Genital Jousting, a particularly remarkable party game where players control cartoonish penises. It’s an ingenious concept, complete with a consent page, and it cleverly challenges those who take themselves too seriously.
Another significant player in the local scene is 24 Bit Games, recently acquired by Annapurna Games. Annapurna, well-known in the film industry for its indie films, has a game-publishing division that now includes 24 Bit Games. This acquisition opens up numerous opportunities for local developers entering the gaming space.
Service work is also a major aspect of the industry. For instance, 24 Bit Games provides services for many titles published by Annapurna, highlighting the robust business environment for game developers in South Africa.
GQ: What are the biggest gaming events that happen in South Africa?
Comic Con and Rage Gaming Expo. They are the most popular, but there are still many cool other indie game events. I would put a spotlight on Super Friendship Arcade, awesome events. And Playtopia. They fly down a lot of indie developers across the world to come to SA and then get to show them the country, but also introduce the talent. Also, Africa Games Week. Those three happen in Cape Town.
GQ: Are there any developments in gaming hardware that you’re excited about?
I’m particularly excited about the potential of augmented reality (AR), though I anticipate that cost will be a significant factor. Another exciting development is the rise of smaller-form-factor PCs, which are incredibly promising. However, I do have some reservations about AR and VR because they can disconnect players from those around them. The most popular games tend to be those that foster social connections, whether it’s playing online with friends in games like Call of Duty or enjoying team-based shooter games. Couch co-op games, where you play together with friends in the same room, have a lasting appeal.
Any game that cuts you off from reality – you have to put headphones in and not talk to other people around you, or you’re not communicating with anyone – there are some games that are still around, they’re super-immersive, but they are kind of disappearing. And the reason, I think, is that we are intrinsically social people, and we want that social experience.
GQ: Which gaming hardware brands are most trusted and preferred by gamers today?
I would say Corsair. Really high-end peripheral gaming mice; and they also have another subsidiary called El Gato, which I do a lot of work with. They do streaming hardware and are going into video production. MSI, Asus, Acer, Gigabyte are all reputable companies that make amazing products.
GQ: How has the rise of esports influenced the gaming industry?
It’s made a huge impact on the gaming industry. They’ve legitimised the competitive aspects of a lot of these games, and made careers for people in esports. In SA specifically you can get SA colours, and bursaries to certain universities, if you’re talented at certain games or played in your school. There are interschool leagues, including Overwatch, specifically, that I know of. It’s a great way for esports to be seen as more legitimate to people who understand sport, and to provide a productive outlet for these games that isn’t just hanging out and spending time with your friends, escapism, or getting a competitive scratch.
GQ: What are the key factors driving consumer purchasing decisions in the gaming market?
There are two factors. The first is performance: anything that improves your ability to play better. High-DPI mice, better mechanical keyboards with faster activations, high-refresh-rate monitors. That’s a huge driver for sales. And then the second one is the home office set-up. This has come along quite recently, since 2020. And a lot of these gaming products are aesthetic, they look good, and that’s a core driver for a lot of people. They’ve built a workstation in their house and they want that space to feel good.
So a lot of people are buying gaming peripherals for other activities, like work and meetings, etc. El Gato gear is an example. People are buying really beautiful lights for their desks so that they’re well lit for business meetings. And that makes a massive difference in sales, and is a big driver of sales.
GQ: How would you say that the gaming audience demographic has shifted in recent years?
The gaming demographic has undergone significant transformation with the normalisation of games in society. The outdated stereotype of the sweaty teenage white boy in his basement has almost entirely disappeared. Today, gamers come from all genders, orientations and races. Gaming has become as mainstream as movies or books, with everyone participating.
And you’ll find strongholds within these subcultures. A lot of white men still want to hold on to games – some kind of “holy space” – but allowing so many people to engage and be a part of the gaming communities means there’s way more representation in the stories being told in the single- player narratives; the communities that get together to play games are more diverse; there are more diverse opinions being shared and brought to the table.
And I think that’s very exciting, and something that we should be encouraging and celebrating. However, this progress hasn’t come without a massive fight. In the mid-2010s, there was a significant amount of vocal antagonism from racist and misogynist gamers; but while such attitudes still exist, they are gradually being broken down.