INTERVIEW: The Life and Games of Andrew Kaggia, Africa's First 3D Video Game Developer

KENYABUZZ: Tell us a bit about your background and how you came up with Wageuzi which preceded Nairobi X.ANDREW: I'm a self-taught game developer and 3D animator. I always had a passion to do what I do from childhood. About 17 years ago, I had the opportunity to try out some animation software on an old computer and from that point on, everything changed. After high school, I wasn't really passionate about the University degree I was to pursue so I put it on hold and decided to go after what I really wanted, which was gaming and animation. It wasn't easy, but it was all worth it.KENYABUZZ: Give us all the deets on Nairobi X and Black Divisions Game. How did you conceptualize them and how did the market respond to your genius? Also, did you fund Nairobi X all by yourself?ANDREW: For Nairobi X, I had the idea in my mind for about two years before actually implementing it. I enjoy movies about alien invasions and always wondered why invasions never happen in Africa. So, I decided to create a video game where the invasion happens right here in Nairobi, and the objective of the player is to defend the city from the attack. My former business partners and I funded the game, and we eventually got corporate sponsors on board just before the launch. The market responded in a very positive way, and we still get calls/emails from people all over the world (especially Africans in the diaspora) who really enjoyed playing the game.KENYABUZZ: You're a self-taught video game developer. Are there any DIY books or sites you used to help you out?ANDREW: There are lots of free resources available online now, particularly YouTube. That's probably THE best resource I'd recommend for anyone trying to teach themselves game development. There are also premium online courses you can pay for like Pluralsight.com and Lynda.com.KENYABUZZ: What was it like to establish yourself as a video game developer in an industry that was still growing?ANDREW: It was quite difficult at the start, as there was really no industry. It seemed like a fruitless endeavor. Back then, most people thought I was wasting my time and energy. But I always had a passion for it and knew that if I just stuck at it long enough, things would work out. And they did eventually.KENYABUZZ: What's a typical day like for a video game developer?ANDREW: I typically get up at 7am, have breakfast then spend 30 minutes on prayer, sometimes meditation. After this I drive to the office and get right to business (sometimes I work from my home studio). I'll usually have a 20-minute lunch break at 1pm after which I will resume work till 7pm or 9pm. I then take a break, sometimes go to the gym or spend an hour reading a book. When I get home I have dinner, then head back to the studio where I'll work until around 1:30am. I'm obviously a workaholic, lol. But I really love what I do and it never feels like a burden to me. Weekends are lighter and I spend time with friends and family.KENYABUZZ: You dropped out of one of the most prestigious universities in the country to develop video games. Did you automatically become a pariah?ANDREW: Dropouts are typically seen as outcasts and failures until they succeed. Success is the only way to prove that your seemingly foolish ambitions were actually valid. Most people thought I had made a terrible decision, and to be honest it felt quite lonely for some time because it felt like nobody understood me. But my persistence paid off.KENYABUZZ: What were some of the challenges you faced when you were establishing yourself?ANDREW: Initially there really was no work for game developers. Organisations at the time did not really see the usefulness of a game within their framework, and there were no solid business models one could use to monetise their own games. A lot has changed now and people see how lucrative an industry it is.KENYABUZZ: Based on your experience, what more should be done to help the industry grow in Kenya?ANDREW: Firstly, I think there should be more awareness among young people as to the alternative career options out there. When people start to see that you can actually be financially successful developing video games and doing animation, their eyes will be opened to the possibilities. This is the first and most important step.KENYABUZZ: Is there a video game developer you look up to?ANDREW: I greatly admire Hideo Kojima, the creator of Metal Gear Solid. His games inspired me heavily to get into gaming and film. I was fortunate enough to meet him last year in the US.KENYABUZZ: You're not allowed to toot your horn for this one, so you can't mention your own creations. But what's your fave video game of all time?ANDREW: If I absolutely had to pick one, I'd pick Battlefield. To me, the Battlefield series is probably the most immersive and exciting video game series of all time.KENYABUZZ: What advice do you have for aspiring game developers?ANDREW: I'd advise them to learn as much as they can. All the necessary information and most of the tools are now free. All it takes for one to succeed is desire and ambition.KENYABUZZ: What more can we expect from you?ANDREW: There are big things coming - in both gaming and film.  I'm currently finishing up a gaming project that should take the world by storm. I'm also working on more content for my YouTube channel "HeroSmashers". The channel currently has over 110 million views and I plan to hit a billion views before the end of the year.* Nairobi X Photos: Courtesy