"Africa is overlooked due to misconceptions about the purchasing power in the region"

• The Tunisia-based company has a team of 40 employees that develops its own internal games and offer other services like 3D projects

Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan returns on November 9th and 10th, 2024, offering a chance to gain insights into the world’s fastest-growing games market, MENA.

As part of our MENA coverage and run-up to the event, we spoke to Lanterns Studios’ CEO Jihed Jaouabi to discuss utilising motion capture technology, integrating AI into various projects and expanding its services across the MENA region.

PocketGamer.biz: Tell us a bit about Lantern Studios and what you’re up to right now?

Jihed Jaouabi: Lanterns Studios is a video game studio based in Tunisia. While we’re dedicated to developing our own internal games, we also provide services for clients across a variety of industries including real estate, automotive, and 3D projects. 

Currently, we’re hard at work on several projects, including Project E, The Perfect Run, Nora, and AITE, which were all showcased at Gamescom this year. We also have ongoing client work involving simulation and motion capture.

How many staff do you currently employ? Are they all based in Tunisia?

We have around 40 talented team members who are primarily based in Tunisia. However, we work with collaborators and partners across various regions depending on project needs.

Amidst layoffs in the games industry, Lantern Studios is still hiring. What factors do you attribute to your ability to continue expanding your team during these challenging times?

Our ability to continue expanding comes from diversifying our services. By not only focusing on game development but also providing motion capture, XR apps, and simulation work, we’ve maintained a steady stream of projects. 

Also, our competitive quality-to-price ratio makes us an appealing choice for clients in regions like the US and Europe where costs can be significantly higher.

Why invest in motion capture technology, and what sets you apart as the only studio in Tunisia offering this service?

We invested in motion capture to elevate the quality of our game development and because there was a gap in the market for this technology in Tunisia.

By offering mocap services, we provide a unique value to clients in the gaming, automotive, and real estate industries. We’re also one of the few studios in the region capable of combining mocap with Unreal Engine, making us stand out in this space.

How do you prioritise resources between developing games and your other projects like motion capture and XR apps?

It’s all about balancing client and internal projects. We have dedicated teams for each and the flexibility to shift resources based on project timelines and priorities.

Client projects, particularly motion capture and XR services, help fund our game development, allowing us to maintain momentum on both fronts.

What do you see as the current opportunities and challenges facing the games industry in Tunisia and the wider MENA region?

The MENA region, including Tunisia, is seeing a growing interest in gaming, but there are challenges like limited access to funding and talent retention.

That said, the opportunities are vast, especially as more global companies begin to recognise the potential in this market. With the right support and infrastructure, Tunisia can become a key player in the games industry.

Africa has a vast number of mobile users. What do you think is the key to tapping into this audience? And why do you think some still overlook the market despite its growth potential?

Mobile is the key to tapping into Africa’s gaming market.

By focusing on lightweight games that work across a variety of devices and data constraints, developers can reach a wide audience.

The reason some overlook the market is due to misconceptions about the purchasing power in the region, but with the right monetisation strategies, there’s immense potential.

What are your thoughts on emerging technologies such as AI, XR, and VR in games? Are you already incorporating AI into your game development process?

We’re excited about the possibilities of emerging technologies. We’ve already started integrating AI into various aspects of game development, from procedural generation to dialogue systems.

Our VR projects, especially for the automotive and real estate industries, allow us to explore immersive experiences beyond traditional gaming. 

In terms of funding and support for gaming studios in MENA, what has been your experience navigating the funding landscape?

The funding landscape in MENA is still developing. While some initiatives are in place, most studios still need to look outside the region for substantial support.

We’ve been fortunate to have access to some international grants, but there’s still a need for more regional investment to nurture local talent.

What are your plans for the rest of 2024? Are there any specific initiatives or projects on the horizon that we should look forward to?

For the rest of 2024, our focus will shift toward wrapping up service projects and dedicating more attention to our internal titles. We’re also looking forward to new opportunities to expand our services in the MENA region and beyond, with some exciting collaborations in the works.