A South African indie game studio, Nyamakop, is set to revolutionize gaming with its bold new concept. Their upcoming title, Relooted, is a heist adventure that lets players reclaim African artifacts from Western museums, offering a fresh take on play, memory, and restitution. Set in a futuristic Johannesburg, the game spans 13–17 hours, immersing players in a stealth mission to retrieve over 70 culturally significant artifacts.
The game’s concept resonates personally with CEO Ben Myres. During a 2017 visit to the British Museum, he was struck by the dislocation of the Nereid Monument, prompting his mother to suggest a game tackling such themes. Nyamakop, previously recognized for the innovative puzzle game Semblance, now aims for a grander scale with Relooted, incorporating detailed environments and cultural depth.
Nyamakop enlisted researchers to ensure accurate and respectful representation of the artifacts. Narrative Director Mohale Mashigo emphasized distinct cultural identities, resisting the oversimplification of Africa’s diversity. The game features the Ngadji drum and the Maqdala crown, both steeped in rich historical and spiritual significance, highlighting the real-world impact of colonial plunder.
In Relooted, players navigate complex systems involving museum bureaucracy and community restoration, transforming artifact retrieval into a multifaceted challenge. The Ngadji drum, for example, requires players to engage with cultural rituals, emphasizing that repatriation involves more than just returning objects—it requires restoring their cultural significance.
While Relooted addresses cultural restitution, Myres and Mashigo avoid labeling it solely as activism. The game offers players different experiences: a thrilling heist or a commentary on looting and restitution. At a time when Western museums face increasing calls to return artifacts, Relooted bridges cultural and generational gaps, engaging players with these important issues through interactive storytelling.
