As the third Morocco Gaming Expo takes place in Rabat from May 20 to 24, local studios are betting on video games for more than entertainment, using them to bring Moroccan heritage and culture closer to younger generations.
Rather than relying on foreign-inspired settings, a growing number of Moroccan developers are creating games rooted in local identity, from tbourida to the guarrab, helping strengthen the country’s gaming industry while bringing Moroccan stories to a wider global audience.
At Atlas Forge Studio, founder Abdellah Aoukrad is developing a game inspired by tbourida, the Moroccan equestrian tradition dating back to the 16th century and performed at festivals across the country.
Players experience the same rhythm as real riders, from formation and acceleration to the final synchronized shot.
“Our goal is to bring Moroccan youth closer to their heritage and help them learn more about their culture through gaming,” Aoukrad said.
He told Hespress English that many young people today have not experienced traditional moussem festivals or the cultural practices passed down through generations, creating a growing distance from that heritage.
According to Aoukrad, the game is structured in three stages that reflect real tbourida performances.
First, players present their sorba (group), showcasing riders, horses, and traditional attire, where appearance plays a central role.
Next comes the run, during which the group advances at high speed before firing a synchronized shot.
In the final stage, judges assign scores based on timing, formation alignment, and speed consistency, mirroring the rules of traditional tbourida.
Faouzi Bouattar of BaaliArt Studio is also drawing on Moroccan culture in his project “DroughtFALL,” which features the guarrab, a traditional water porter, as its main character.
“We need to see games that visually reflect our identity and culture,” Bouattar said, adding that the project, developed jointly with Youssef Elyousfi, is deeply influenced by Moroccan heritage and personal memories from his hometown of El Hajeb, once known for its natural springs.
Set in a drought-stricken world, the game follows a guarrab traveling between villages in search of water, facing survival choices while questioning whether the crisis stems from natural causes or human activity.
The narrative also draws on traditional practices in Morocco, when communities relied on individuals believed to possess the ability to locate underground water sources.
“We hope Morocco can produce globally recognized games with a strong national identity,” Bouattar said.
The Morocco Gaming Expo, the first event of its kind in Africa, is supported by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication as part of a broader strategy to position Morocco as a hub for game development in Africa and the Arab world.
The global video game market is among the fastest-growing industries worldwide, currently valued at nearly $300 billion and projected to reach $535.29 billion by 2033.
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