INTRODUCTION
It all started in makeshift huts set up in working-class neighborhoods in the city of Abidjan. These places commonly called “video club”, “Gbatta” or “au Play” were the starting point for many Ivorians’ passion for video games. Having had a difficult start due to a bad reputation among a large part of the population, perceived as a mind-numbing entertainment at the root of poor academic results, a den of bandits and a place par excellence for gambling of all kinds. Today, we are witnessing a real expansion of the video game sector in Côte d’Ivoire. In the space of a decade, virtual games have taken an important place in the hearts and in the Ivorian economy. Here are three reasons that explain the meteoric growth of the virtual game industry in Côte d’Ivoire.
The impact of new technologies
New technologies have played a major role in the growth of video games. In particular, three elements have played a key role: the Internet, social networks and smartphones.
The Internet has democratized the practice of this hobby like no one else. With high-speed connections, it is now easier to play with another person on the other side of the planet. Thanks to this tool, video or electronic games have become, in a few decades, one of the most popular hobbies in the world.
Social networks have the power to unite people around a common cause or passion. In Côte d’Ivoire, several communities have formed. The most famous of all, the Ivorian Association of Video Games and Digital Entertainment (AIJVDN) known as Gamers CI, has more than four thousand fans on Facebook. It uses this audience to create events related to gaming: announcements, meetings, tournaments, etc.
In the past, it was necessary to venture into sometimes unsanitary and dangerous places to enjoy the joys of console games, but the mass arrival of smartphones has allowed everyone to be able to have virtual entertainment from anywhere.
In Ivory Coast, video games are a young people’s business, but not only them.
If initially the video game sector mainly targeted a young and technophile population, nowadays we see that this entertainment is gaining popularity among other sections of the Ivorian population, particularly among young adults. In Ivory Coast, 75.6% of the population is under 35 years old. This youth has worked for a global change in mentality around virtual games, thus allowing this field to gain popularity among the most reluctant.
Video games: a dynamic sector full of opportunities
The rapidly growing African video game market is expected to be worth at least five billion dollars by 2025, with an annual growth rate of 12%. This sector is one of the most dynamic on the global economic scene. At the local level, there is a growing awareness of the economic opportunities offered by this sector. From now on, gaming rooms are being modernized. This is the case of “Paradise Game”, located in Yopougon, which is the largest gaming center in Côte d’Ivoire and West Africa. Purchases of consoles and computer equipment are increasing. In addition, video games are becoming a job-creating sector. In order to promote the practice, major events are organized each year, such as the Tekken World Tour series and FEJA, the Abidjan Electronic Games Festival. A festival that presents itself as the African trade fair dedicated to video games with the aim of promoting video games and eSports in Africa. In 2023 more than 10 countries have been invited.
CONCLUSION
The video game industry in Côte d’Ivoire, once marginalized, is now experiencing spectacular growth. Thanks to the impact of new technologies, the enthusiasm of young people and the many economic opportunities, this dynamic sector promises a bright future for enthusiasts and professionals.
