Relooted: The Futuristic African Heist Game Reclaiming Stolen Treasures

Relooted is a new video game that lets players imagine a future where Africans try to reclaim their stolen treasures from Western museums. The game is set in the year 2099, when a treaty meant to return African artefacts is falling apart. Western museums are finding ways to avoid giving back the objects, so Professor Grace, an expert in artefacts, decides to take action. She gathers her grandchildren, Nomali and Trevor, and her former student Etienne to help her. Their mission is to break into museums and private collections to recover 70 sacred and cultural objects that were taken from Africa during colonial times.

Nomali, the main character, is a parkour legend who uses her athletic skills to run, jump, and climb through obstacles. Her brother Trevor is a locksmith and security expert, while Etienne provides inside information. They are joined by other skilled friends from across Africa, including Ndedi, an acrobat from Cameroon, Cryptic, a hacker from Kenya, and Fred, a getaway driver and gadget maker from Congo. The team works together to outsmart security systems and solve puzzles, rather than using violence. The game focuses on teamwork, clever thinking, and athleticism to achieve their goals.

Relooted was created by Nyamakop, a game studio based in South Africa, with help from designers and voice actors from several African countries. The game is designed for computers and consoles, targeting the African diaspora, since most people in Africa play games on smartphones. The creators hope Relooted will raise awareness about African history and the issue of looted artefacts. Players can learn about the real objects featured in the game, such as the Asante Gold Mask and the Bangwa Queen statue, and the communities they come from. The game also allows players to explore the stories behind these treasures in a special Hideout Room. The creators believe that playing Relooted will give people a new perspective on African culture and the importance of returning stolen artefacts.