Joburg has a new space for gamers

Including a state-of-the-art gaming facility and a creative hub with eight working spaces, the Goethe-Institut’s new Library — Gamebox — Hub is now open to the public.
The Gamebox allows visitors to try out the latest from the world of video games.
Currently available are seven computer games that won a gaming prize in Germany, as well as a variety of gaming consoles, an ultra-high definition screen and virtual reality equipment. The selection is set to be expanded and include regular curated showcases of South African, sub-Saharan African and German digital games.
Independent game developers and gaming startups can apply to make use of the Gamebox to present their ideas and products. Special events for Johannesburg’s gaming community, such as workshops and competitions, are also set to take place in the new space, for example through collaborations with the Digital Arts Department of WITS University and Fak’ugesi Festival.
In partnership with the Johannesburg AMAZE Festival, a gaming breakfast with international guests will take place in September.
Situated on the gallery level of the Goethe-Institut’s new space is the hub.
It offers eight fully equipped workplaces to creative entrepreneurs who are working on tech-driven creative start-ups. Until 31 August, interested individuals and collectives can apply to move into the hub for a defined period of six months.
Additional benefits for successful applicants are organized networking events, tailored mentoring to help with their business, as well as opportunities to present their projects to the public.
Projects in the field of digital games are preferred, as the Library — Gamebox — Hub focuses on this area. Joint events with existing hubs in Johannesburg are set to take place throughout the year.
The fully refurbished library space comes with an extended offer of books, magazines, films, music and children’s literature in different languages, as well as a brand new interior with lots of space for study or research.
It will also continue to host the popular #LiteraryCrossroads, a series of talks where South African writers meet colleagues from all over the continent and from the African diaspora, curated by Indra Wussow and Sine Buthelezi. #LiteraryCrossroads guests in September will be Rehana Rossouw (SA) and Fiston Mujila (DRC). For the December edition of #LiteraryCrossroads, the collaboration with Abantu Book Festival will be continued.