Enter Africa Lagos Interviews: Anthonia Nicol, Illustrator, Animator, Game Developer and CEO of Flamation Studios
Anthonia Nicol, CEO of Flamation Studios, a company that produces games, animation and digital arts for various purposes, talks to Adefoyeke Ajao about her background in Chemistry and running a game studio.
Who is Anthonia Nicol?
Anthonia Nicol is an illustrator, animator, game developer, and owner of Flamation Studios.
You hold a first degree in chemistry, what influenced the shift to gaming? Did you face any challenges in the process of transitioning?
I have always wanted to be a software developer. I studied chemistry just to get me through the university. The challenges I face as a game developer is due to the absence of a strong foundation in computer science.
Has your background in Chemistry influenced how you approach game design and development?
Yes. I am more analytical than most developers.
What was it like to develop your first game and what games have you developed since then?
I had this rush of excitement because I was finally doing what I wanted to do. I have developed seven games after that and I am currently rounding up on the eighth game.
You currently work at Flamation Studios, what is your role at the studio, and what does it entail?
It’s a sole proprietorship business. I do everything from game development to social media marketing but I hire people when I have a heavy workload. It is an entertainment company that produces quality games, animations and illustrations.
You’ve also overseen game design and development at several Nigerian studios, how would you describe Nigerians’ engagement with Nigerian-made games?
Nigerians like Nigerian-minded games. The issues a lot of people have complained about is the thought process and time that go into the game design. They feel our games are rushed and it reflects in the quality of the game graphics.
What’s your experience in the local gaming industry and how would you describe female participation and representation in the industry?
Female participation represents about 1–5% of the total contribution to the local gaming industry, in my opinion. Personally, I prefer to work alone and ask questions when I face challenges.
How do you think Nigeria’s gaming industry should be empowered and what kind of advancements would you like to see in the local gaming industry?
Empowerment in terms of building interest in the minds of people is the way to go. Let’s face it. Games can be made from the comfort of your home, with little to no additional resources required. The difficulty is getting people interested enough to put in the work and the time.
With the benefit of hindsight, what advice would you give to anyone who hopes to work in gaming? Is there anything you wished you’d known about the industry before joining it?
Learn a native language. Don’t take the shortcuts software creators are providing because you will be limited. Make sure game development is what you want to do and not just a means of making money.
To find out more about Anthonia Nicol’s work, visit her website, flamationstudios.com and her Instagram profile @teegirl2.0
This interview series is part of Nigeria’s Gaming Industry: Opportunities, Challenges and Practices, a project supported by Goethe-Institut Nigeria.
