Although the holiday season has already begun, the video game industry isn’t expected to bring in the big bucks this year.
According to a report by Yahoo! Finance, 2022 has already seen a decrease in profits reeled in by big gaming companies like Sony and EA. The NPD Group reports a nine percent decrease in sales, specifically when it comes to mobile games, for the third quarter of 2023 when compared to the previous year.
As they navigate a decline in their sales, here are five video games by Black creators to support this holiday season.
- Swimsanity: Made by video game creator Kahlil Abdullah and released by Decoy Games, Swimsanity is a multi-player action game that has users control an underwater character known as a Mooba. Equipped with special powers called “unleashes,” a Mooba has the ability to transform, heal and attack during underwater battles. The game has all types of modes for those that use gaming as a way to unleash their competitive side; throughout the game, users can choose to enter levels like elimination mode, big boss mode and survival mode, amongst others.
Upon its release in 2020, Swimsanity was able to earn rave reviews; its honors include the Bit Awards’ Player’s Choice award and the Boston Fig’s Best Gameplay award. Abdullah’s game was also chosen as a selection for the Game Devs of Color Expo. Swimsanity is available on consoles like the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
- For the Culture: Created by Teddy Phillips of the Ark Creative Company, For the Culture is not only a game but a learning tool. The app is a modern, updated take on the classic guessing games of the past decade. The game expands on topics like history, film and music while simultaneously mixing in subjects like African American History and Culture into its roster. For the Culture is free to download on both the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.
- Combat Core: Created and published by an independent game development company known as MABManZ, this game stays true to its title, offering users an arena fighting experience. Featuring Cyberpunk influences, Combat Core allows up to four players the ability to play as characters from intergalactic space. Released in 2019, the game is currently available on consoles such as the Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Xbox One, amongst others.
- Tiny Bird Garden: Created by an independent gaming company known as Super Retro Duck, this husband-and-wife duo first launched Tiny Bird Garden in 2017. With this app, users are able to casually play and create their own garden to go bird-watching. Players can use tokens to customize their own little spaces and accessorize any feathered friends they make. The app is available on both the Google Play Store and the Apple Store for free.
- She Dreams Elsewhere: Made by developer Davionne Gooden from an idea he first had in his senior year of high school, She Dreams Elsewhere is a video game based on the concept of dreams and the role they play in comparison to reality. Throughout the game, players take on the role of Thalia; a woman stuck in a coma. The mission of the game is to help Thalia in the fight against those that want to prevent her from waking up by using nightmares. She Dreams Elsewhere is accessible through the Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows and the Xbox One.
