A new video game titled “Relooted” has emerged, offering players a unique opportunity to engage with the contentious issue of Africa’s looted treasures. Set in a futuristic 2099, the game imagines a world where the Transatlantic Returns Treaty is collapsing under the pressure of Western museums finding loopholes to retain artefacts taken during colonial times. This narrative propels players into a thrilling heist adventure aimed at reclaiming sacred African objects, an act steeped in both cultural significance and historical grievance.
A Narrative of Resistance
In the game, players follow the journey of Professor Grace, a passionate artefacts expert who assembles a team of skilled individuals—her grandchildren Nomali and Trevor, along with her former student Etienne—to break into various museums and private collections. The objective is not just to steal, but to recover invaluable items that hold immense cultural meaning for their ancestral homelands.
“Nomali reluctantly agrees to the first heist to demonstrate the dangers involved,” explained Mohale Mashigo, the narrative director. Driven by love for her family, Nomali’s character embodies resilience and courage, employing her parkour abilities to navigate obstacles while retrieving 70 sacred objects.
A Team of Diverse Talents
The ensemble cast features Trevor, a locksmith and security expert, who aids Nomali in their escapades, while Etienne, a Belgian-British insider, provides crucial intelligence. Other characters include Ndedi from Cameroon, who showcases her acrobatic skills, Cryptic the hacker from Kenya, and Fred the gadgeteer from Congo, all contributing to the dynamic team.
Relooted is a creation of the Nyamakop studio in South Africa, renowned for being the first African game developers to launch a title on a Nintendo console. The game boasts contributions from designers and voice actors across the continent, including Nigeria, Angola, and Ethiopia, illustrating a pan-African collaboration aimed at creating content for a global audience.
An Engaging and Educational Experience
CEO Ben Myres envisioned Relooted during a visit to the British Museum, where his mother’s indignation over the Nereid Monument sparked the idea. “You should make this into a game,” she suggested, prompting Myres to pivot from buildings to artefacts. Unlike many traditional heist narratives filled with violence, Relooted focuses on problem-solving, teamwork, and athleticism, allowing players to engage in non-violent theft.
Upon completion, players return the artefacts to the Museum of Black Civilizations in Dakar, Senegal, reinforcing the game’s message of cultural repatriation. The artefacts themselves are inspired by actual items stolen during colonial times, including the Asante Gold Mask and the Ngwi Ndem, each holding deep historical significance.
Cultural Awareness Through Gaming
While Relooted is primarily an entertainment medium, it also aims to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of artefact repatriation. The game encourages players to learn about the historical context of the artefacts and their significance. Sithe Ncube, the project manager, believes that engaging with these themes through a game format will resonate with many players, particularly those in the African diaspora.
“Taking back cultural artefacts that were looted is something a lot of people fantasise about,” Ncube stated. The interactive nature of gaming allows for a deeper connection, as players must actively participate in the narrative to achieve their goals.
Why it Matters
In an era where cultural heritage is increasingly recognised as vital to identity and history, Relooted serves as a compelling platform for dialogue about the restitution of stolen artefacts. By intertwining entertainment with education, the game not only entertains but also fosters a greater understanding of Africa’s rich heritage and the injustices surrounding its looting. As players navigate this virtual heist, they are invited to contemplate the real-world implications of cultural theft and the ongoing quest for justice and restitution.
