Meet Eric Gitonga Game Designer of Smash Games

Smash Games Proudly Made in Kenya

so where to start......okay i will start with the game.

Hunt The Dead - The Apocalypse.

This is a Kenyan computer game that is about a virus that has spread throughout the country killing everything that is living and turning human beings into zombies and spiders into mutant spiders. You play a soldier who just came back home from a mission with no idea what was happening back at home. All you have is a pistol with ammo enough to get you to a safe zone to stock up on ammo. The mission of the game is to stay alive and find an antidote. The antidote is in a scientist house somewhere in the city so you have to find it. That is all about HTD-The Apocalypse.

Background.

My name is Eric Muriungi Gitonga. I finished my high school in 2013. I went for a voluntary church service for 2 years after high school. I came back home in 2016. I was determined to be a pilot but when I got back Kenya Airways was downsizing their staff and selling some of the aircrafts. At that time they had recorded 2 billion kshs loss in their financial year so I was confused. I didn’t  want to be jobless so I decided to do IT since I had a passion for computers and most importantly software development. So I set out to Jomo Kenyatta University CBD. Then my friend John Muthomi and I decided to go and ask for web development jobs from schools around where we studying. (We were in the same high school.) We went to meru. It was fruitless. We did not find anyone willing to offer us a deal. So we came back and then it downed to me that I should try making a video game that I will play, a game that Kenyans will play all over the country, a game that will put Kenya on the map.

I started the development of HTD with a good friend of mine Roy Matenga. It took us about 10 months to develop the game, of course with lots of errors and retrials for like a thousand times. It wasn’t easy at all. But we kept the faith and we believed in what we did. After the development phase, we received a lot of critics and love too at the same time. The game grew gradually and it was featured on The Standard newspaper in September 2017. My name was featured on the article ‘My Hustle’ termed ‘young entrepreneurs’. It was a big moment in my life and that gave me a lot of belief in myself and in smash games ENT.

So the name Smash Games came from smash since we used to like saying smash a lot and we decided to name our gaming company that way, (Hehe also with some other hidden meanings.)

Gaming industry in Kenya

The gaming industry in Kenya is not yet ready if I may say. Most people in Kenya like to play mobile games more than any other platform. They are a lot of guys who gave a shout out on the game but 40% kept on insisting on a mobile platform. We have not started the development yet. We are busy with our personal lives i.e. school, work and game development takes a lot of time. It is very detailed. We promise though that we will be bringing HTD on your android and iPhone gadgets soon.

My advice to those who aspire to venture into this industry is to take one thing at a time. It is very overwhelming and lots of disappointments especially on commercializing your game but it is  worth it. Don’t go into it thinking of money for it will disappoint. Kenyans generally love free stuff. The sky is the limit.

Reception

As I said earlier the reception had lots of mixed feelings. Some were surprised about the game. I received an email once where a fan couldn’t believe the game was developed by Kenyans.  It was amazing to see how people wanted to check it out and compare the game with others. Giving credit where is due and critics. It has been amazing so far and we look forward for more views and comments on the game

The link to the site where you can download the game for free is https://smashgames.co.ke.

Also on the site there are mixtapes by our very own deejay Sommie who helped us with the game music. You can also sample his mixtapes there.

Eric Gitonga has introduced himself perfectly.I am honoured to personally know a brilliant and talented game designer as Eric is. Smash Games is an amazing game made in Kenya.The Kenyan game industry is as of 2015 among the largest in Africa. The earliest known game development in Kenya was in around 2007 , when independent game designer Wesley Kirinya worked alone on Adventures of Nyangi, a "crude" action-adventure video game inspired by Tomb Raider. Despite the game's low quality, it gained a large amount of press coverage for being among the first video games created on the African continent.Fast forward to now, games being designed in Kenya are up to international standards thanks to game designers like Eric Gitonga. Smash Games is one of my most favourite games to play right now.Its concept is original, amazing and relatable. And as you enjoy your game you get to enjoy the amazing Deejay mixtapes by DJ Sommie .Well the sky is the limit and there is beyond the sky and you can do what you love where ever you are in the world.All you have to do is just do it.

Who is DJ Butch?-DJ Butch An Amazing Kenyan DeeJay.

In my first interview ever i got to interview an amazing Kenyan deejay known as DJ Butch.His real names are Alex Butch.He is a young talented deejay with a great fashion sense.He also rocks amazing tatoos.He is mixed race and very easy on the eyes and when it comes to his hair he gives most girls a run for their money,LOL. Because his hair is always on fleek.It wasn't easy for DJ Butch in the beginning but with hardwork and determination.He is an established deejay in Kenya.Which is just the beginning for him.Because he aspires to also get into the beat making industry.

Angellyrics:So when did you start deejaying?How did it all start?Did u go to deejay school? Have you always wanted to be a deejay?
DJ Butch: Yes i went to Homeboyz Deejaying School.It started back in high school when i was in form 2 i just had so much love for electronic music,i used to watch deejays the likes of hardwell,tiesto,in the states doing major events,since i had a passion for electronic music i wanted to venture into deejaying and playing such music, I do know how to mix other genres of music but what I'm mostly focused and skilled on is electronic music. Angellyrics: Wow thats cool,when did you first do deejaying and how did it feel? DJ Butch: When i was in form 3 i had my first outdoor gig,well honestly i was scared,you know the butterflies in your stomach,but i pulled it through. Angellyrics: Cool, where was the gig? DJButch: In ngong road. Angellyrics: And you went to Homeboyz Deejaying School after high school or during? DJ Butch: After high school Angellyrics: For how long? DJ Butch: 2 months. Angellyrics: Now where do you do your gigs and how often? DJ Butch: You can't find me somewhere specific. DJ Butch: But i do gigs like thrice every weekend. Angellyrics: Ok which major events have you done? DJ Butch: Thrif social 6 and 7,the house party it was in karen,the blacklist at emerald gardens,and at impala club

DJ Butch was also a deejay at the major event where the American singer Ty Dolla Sign was headlining. Angellyrics:Where do you get your tatoos? DJ Butch:At natural stripes shop along ngong road Angellyrics:What would you tell aspiring deejays? DJ Butch:To aspiring deejays just be you,do what drives you,your passion. Angellyrics:What challenges have you come across? DJ Butch:My deejaying challenges were not been paid a couple of times and making a name for my self was really hard.

This interview is a proof of the fact that if you discover your talents,work hard and keep the passion.The sky wouldn't be the limit because you can also got way above the sky with no limits.And also the key ingredient is also having good faith and believing in yourself.You can follow and even hire DJ Butch here.

Angellyrics Ep You Are On Jay- z's Tidal

Angellyrics Featuring Ogi Feel The Beat EP You Are Getting Into Tidal Means Alot

You Are is the first Ep by songwriter Angellyrics turned underground indie artist.It was produced by Ogi feel the beat.I am Angellyrics and initially my music was meant for other artists to sing.But necessity is the mother of invention so after searching high and low for artists to sing the songs i write i decided i had to do it myself. You are Ep got into online stores for purchase and streaming thanks to distrokid.I was most proud to see the Ep You Are on Spotify,Deezer,Amazon but most especially on iTunes and Apple Music.

It took awhile but finally You Are finally got into Tidal which is a big deal when it comes to online music stores.This is now my second proud achievement.

Tidal is currently owned by Jay-Z and a variety of other successful music artist who are Alicia Keys, Arcade Fire's Win Butler and Regine Chassagne, Beyoncé, Calvin Harris, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Daft Punk, Damian Marley, deadmau5, Indochine, J. Cole, Jack White, Jason Aldean, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, T.I. and Usher.

The idea of an artist-owned streaming platform was stated as to restore the value to music by launching a service owned by artists.And so my music being accepted into this platform is a huge deal to me.Because looks like Tidal has a certain standard on their platform. This makes me see i am doing something right and believe in my blessings. If You Are is on Tidal then me and my producer Ogi feel the beat maybe doing something right, lol. If you need amazing beats you may get them at http://www.ogifeelthebeat.com.

The Ep You Are and all my singles are available at Spotify,iTunes,Amazon,Google Play ,Deezer,YouTube,Microsoft Groove and now on Tidal.