Junub Games

Country: South Sudan

Founded: 2017

Team Size: 5+

Platforms: Mobile, PC, VR

Focus: Social impact games, peacebuilding, conflict resolution

Status: Active/unclear

Website: TBC

Overview

Junub Games was a South Sudanese game development company founded by Lual Mayen in 2016. The studio was established around the idea of using games to promote peace, conflict resolution and social impact, with Mayen drawing heavily on his experiences growing up as a refugee after his family fled South Sudan.

Its best-known project is Salaam, a mobile game focused on the experience of refugees. Players must find safety, gather resources and help others while navigating the challenges of displacement. The game was designed to build empathy and raise awareness around the refugee experience.

Junub Games also explored virtual reality through Bɛ̈ny, a conflict-resolution experience set around South Sudan. The project was designed to demonstrate how individual choices and behaviour can contribute to either escalating or avoiding violence.

The company received international recognition for its approach to social-impact gaming. Mayen was named a Global Gaming Citizen by Facebook Gaming and The Game Awards in 2018, while Junub Games also participated in the PeaceTech Accelerator in Washington, DC.

There is an important current caveat: the original Junub Games appears to have ceased operations, and its former domain is now an unrelated gaming publication.

Games / Projects

• Salaam
• Bɛ̈ny

Key People

• Lual Mayen - Founder & CEO