Muluneh, who is based in the UAE, describes the Battle of Adwa as a defining moment: \u201cThis wasn’t just any moment in history; it was the moment Ethiopia fought off colonisation<\/strong> and won. It was the only African country that was never colonised. So for me, this battle isn’t just a story, it’s THE story. I want African youth to see themselves as heroes<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Players journey through lush forests, quaint villages and scenic savannas, inspired by Ethiopia and the wider African continent. The game launched in the UAE as a free-to-play mobile experience and was downloaded by 3,000 users<\/strong> within its first two months, and it will gradually make its way to Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Designed to challenge stereotypes<\/strong> and highlight African stories, the game features non-Western characters<\/strong> based on African history, giving representation to players who rarely see themselves in mainstream games. \u201cWe made sure the game represents people who are usually left out. We fixed that, finally,\u201d said Muluneh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Muluneh added that Africa’s global image<\/strong> has been damaged for decades. She said: “Rise of Fearless is African. But more than that, it’s something positive that comes from Africa, and represents Africa in a way we can actually be proud of. It’s organised. It’s beautifully built. And it’s rooted in powerful history. No suffering, no stereotypes – just power, pride and purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The game has already attracted $700,000<\/strong> in initial funding, with plans to raise $5m to $10m later in 2025 to scale across Africa and Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Africa\u2019s gaming industry is growing rapidly, driven by smartphone adoption<\/strong> and a young, tech-savvy population. The continent\u2019s market was valued at $1.8bn in 2024<\/strong>, with mobile games accounting for most of the growth. Rise of Fearless taps into this momentum while showcasing the region\u2019s creative and technological potential<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Muluneh\u2019s personal journey<\/strong> influenced the game\u2019s vision. Born in Ethiopia and raised in the Netherlands, she says moving to Dubai allowed her to reconnect with her roots<\/strong>: \u201cAfrica isn’t foreign in this region. Africans know the Middle East, and Middle Easterners know Africa. Our histories are deeply intertwined<\/strong>. There’s mutual respect,” she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The game also integrates Web3<\/strong> and play-to-earn mechanics, letting players own in-game assets, earn rewards and participate in a secure digital economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Muluneh said: \u201cMy biggest vision<\/strong> for Rise of Fearless is huge: I don’t just want it to be one of the biggest play-to-earn games out there; I want it to be the biggest, period. This game is not just for entertainment; it’s meant to add real value<\/strong>. It can become a real income stream for players. It can build community, both here in the UAE and across the world. And that community is for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/VANESSA-825x600.jpg\")
African market poised for launch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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