- Carry1st described the reception of Mancala Adventures in the US as a “Cinderella story.”
- The game has garnered over 500,000 downloads on Android.
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African publisher Carry1st has transformed Mancala, one of the oldest board games in the world, into a mobile game. With over 500,000 downloads on Android, the game Mancala Adventures showcases the blend of ancient traditions and modern gaming. This reimagined game was initially developed by the Ethiopian game studio Qene Games and later published by Carry1st.
In an interview with Carry1st, they referred to the reception of Mancala Adventures in the US as a “Cinderella story” due to its popularity in the country, with 70% of players residing there.
The game, inspired by the traditional African board game Mancala, has resonated with players globally, offering a mix of entertainment, social interaction, cognitive benefits, and inclusivity.
Stephen Sandmann: What are the key features of Mancala Adventures?
Roxana Muntean: Mancala Adventures offers adorable visuals and smooth gameplay, with opportunities to challenge opponents with different strategies and engage in PvP matches with global players.
What indications have you seen regarding Mancala Adventures’ popularity in the US?
Roxana Muntean: Carry1st observed promising signs of marketability and strong retention rates through early user acquisition campaigns in the US in 2020. The game’s core mechanics and engaging gameplay have contributed to its widespread appeal.
What role does Carry1st play in the success of Mancala Adventures?
Roxana Muntean: By focusing on scaling the game across Africa and beyond, Carry1st has been instrumental in the success of Mancala Adventures, with a vision to unlock the game’s potential worldwide.
“Our mission has always been to scale awesome content across the continent by solving hard problems.”
Roxana Muntean
What future updates or features can players expect?
Roxana Muntean: Players can anticipate exclusive content, new events, enhanced gameplay experience, and more social features in the upcoming months.
Stephen Sandmann: How much growth has Mancala Adventures seen in the first half of 2024?
Roxana Muntean: The first half of 2024 has been a successful period for Mancala Adventures, marked by significant improvements in daily active users and total net revenue, showcasing the team’s collaboration and dedication to the game’s enhancement.
Edited by Paige Cook
This article is part of our Road to Jordan coverage. Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan is scheduled for November 9th and 10th, 2024, providing insights into the MENA gaming market.
