New video game lets players reclaim African artifacts from Western museums
A groundbreaking video game originating from South Africa enables players to participate in digital heists aimed at retrieving looted African artifacts from Western museums. The game, named Relooted, was officially introduced to the public at the Summer Game Fest in Los Angeles by Nyamakop, a Johannesburg-based game studio. Set in the late 21st century, Relooted showcases a scenario where African individuals take matters into their own hands instead of relying on Western establishments to rectify historical injustices.
The game’s main character, Nomali, takes on the role of leading an assembly of ordinary citizens turned thieves on a mission to recover 70 genuine African artifacts originated from Western institutions. These artifacts were originally pilfered during the colonial era and will be restored to the African continent through the efforts of the protagonist and her crew in Relooted.
While the museums depicted in the game are fictional, the artifacts themselves are based on real-life objects. The Ethiopian Maqdala manuscripts and Zambia’s Broken Hill Skull are only a few examples of the authentic artifacts included in the game. Relooted’s foundation centers on historical contexts and the ongoing conversations regarding the repatriation of stolen cultural artifacts.
Quoting Sithe Ncube, Nyamakop’s producer, “A French government report estimated that 90% of sub-Saharan African cultural heritage is housed within Western collections. This comprises millions of culturally significant, spiritually significant, and deeply personal artifacts, including human remains, that are not situated in their rightful geographical locations.” The production of Relooted engaged a diverse team of 30 individuals hailing from various African nations such as Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, contributing to authentic representation throughout the game’s development process.
Originating from diverse locations such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth in South Africa, and even Ethiopia, the team behind Relooted boasts a wide variety of backgrounds. Voice actors associated with the game also represent a broad spectrum of African identities, enriching the project’s authenticity and cultural depth. Ncube, who is of Zambian descent, founded Prosearium, an initiative focused on empowering 1000 African women to develop and share their own games on a dedicated platform aimed at showcasing the digital experiences of women across Africa.
Reflecting on the gaming industry in Africa compared to its Western counterpart, Ncube notes the challenges related to limited local resources and financing options for aspiring developers across the continent. Her immersion in the gaming sector began in 2013 upon meeting a local game developer in Lusaka, Zambia. Subsequently, Ncube relocated to South Africa in 2014 to pursue studies in computer science while immersing herself in the local game development scene, which emphasized artistry and experimental approaches mirroring global standards.
Released at a time when there is an escalating demand for the return of looted artifacts acquired through colonization, Relooted has gained relevance and resonance with modern-day audiences. In 2025, a significant number of Benin Bronzes, historically looted treasures, were called upon for repatriation, sparking global discussions on the ethical restoration of cultural heritage to its rightful owners.