Mwaaba Alec Mugala
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Mwaaba Alec Mugala
Mwaaba Alec Mugala is game developer from Zambia and is nominated for the 3rd A MAZE. Humble New Talent Award in partnership with Humble Original. He is working on transforming Zambian history about religious leader Alice Lenshina and the Lumpa Massacre into his interactive 'Project Lumpa'.
A MAZE.: How would you describe yourself?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: Epic, a bit unorthodox with just a dash of awesome. I call this combination ’Yobleh’
A MAZE.: Are you a wild heart? If yes, what makes you think you’re a wild heart?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: I do believe I am a wild heart because despite everything I have gone through my passion for video games never dies and always keeps me going.
A MAZE.: Why did you start making games or playful media works?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: I started making video games because of my love for them, I was always a curious child and would often find myself questioning what it really takes to make this type of media. I always wondered how games would turn out if I was the designer.
Screenshot from Lumpa Project
A MAZE.: Who (or what) is your biggest inspiration? Think beyond games too - musicians, writers, filmmakers, artists, scientists, ...
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: 4 people who are my biggest inspirations: My Dad, Skrillex, Elon Musk and Gabe Newell. They all have amazing minds and try to do things differently, no matter what people tell them and that’s why I look up to them so much.
A MAZE.: Where can we find this in your work?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: In every way I think. You will probably find that my old prototypes were extremely strange and not so mainstream.
A MAZE.: What message(s) are you sending out with your works?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: I am really focused on telling more African stories in my video games. Messages that show Africa in a more positive light as well as gripping stories that will make people sit down and discuss, same way as I sat down with my friends to discuss God of war or The last of us and so on.
A MAZE.: Is there a repeating pattern in all of your works the players may experience?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: Probably not, I like to do things different every time.
A MAZE.: What influences your work more: Past (history), present (contemporary) or future (scifi) and what are your sources?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: I would have to say the Past, I love reading and learning History because I feel that always helps shape our futures. By understanding our past we can improve the future. That’s me trying to sound deep.
A MAZE.: What does responsibility towards your players mean to you as an artist?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: …
A MAZE.: What impact is the current pandemic having on you and your work?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: It has actually helped me progress a bit faster, due to being stuck in my room for majority of the day.
Screenshot from Lumpa Project
A MAZE.: If there is something wrong in the field of games / playful media, what would you fix first?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: Depiction of African people in Games, especially from big studios outside Africa. In as much as I do enjoy those games sometimes they make me question what everyone else thinks of us. Also let’s slow down on the battle Royale games (lol)
A MAZE.: What are the three games someone who never played a game before should play? Why those?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: Any GTA game, Super Mario bro’s and Need for speed. They are fun and easy to grasp for newbies. I would probably suggest more though.
A MAZE.: How do you relax and find balance?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: Listening to music really helps me balance and centralize a lot, especially 80s and electronic dance music.
A MAZE.: What are the main challenges for artists in your country to sustain themselves?
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: I would have to say limited finances. A lot of people still don’t believe the game industry is profitable so it’s hard for them to take you seriously. I often get asked why I chose this path because it won’t take me anywhere so I usually make the most of what I have.
A MAZE.: How do you see interactive arts in 10 years from now? In 2030! Tell us your vision.
Mwaaba Alec Mugala: 10yrs from now? Interactive media is going to be huge, it will be a norm! I think a lot of people will finally see the potential in this media and start taking it seriously. We will have more schools and bootcamps in under represented areas. If I can at least inspire a 100 people to follow their dreams and join, I would be satisfied, because those 100 people will influence a 1000 more people and so on.