Afrika teaser launches in Japan

By Tom Magrino, GameSpotPosted May 27, 2008 4:51 pm PT

Placeholder Web site for Rhino's heavily shrouded Serengeti wonderland goes online for Japanese gamers; global release status unclear.

Since it was first teased at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Afrika from Sony Computer Entertainment and Rhino has been as much a mystery as the Serengeti plains. Although Sony has piqued interest in Afrika--a moniker which itself is a work in progress--the publisher hasn't given its curious audience much more than a pair of brief trailers and a handful of screenshots.

Today, however, Sony signaled that the veil on Afrika may soon be lifted. The publisher launched a placeholder site for the game's official Japanese Web site, which presents not much more than the game's name, a nondescript grazing rhino, a trilling bird awash in a rare African downpour, and the words "Coming Soon..."

Where, exactly, the game will be "coming soon" is equally a mystery. Speaking to European trade site Eurogamer, a Sony representative said that it would not be publishing the game in the region, and that the recently launched Web site holds bearing only for Japanese gamers. Though the game is far from ruled out in North America, GameSpot contacted a SCEA representative who would not confirm the game's stateside release, and said only that, "We haven't announced anything about the title for the North American market."

In development at Japan-based Rhino Studios, Afrika appears to be a safari-simulation game, with early looks featuring an African menagerie of rhinoceroses, giraffes, zebras, caribou, wildebeests, cheetahs, and more. As of the 2006 Tokyo Game Show, the game was roughly 30 percent complete and was slated to arrive in Japan during 2007.

82 Comments

  • Nigetto

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 7:23 am PT

    Can plp just stop flaming, This is a game where you are a photographer, No swords,no guns, No Hunting and killing things, No bombings, No wars or anything related that that kind of gameplay.
    This is a game where you will enjoy the scenery,the landscape and the enviorment, To come close to Africa without actually going to africa.
    Also what if they spelled wrong in english?
    In swedish it is Afrika, And if they are not going to realese it in Europe or america then let them spell it however they want. English is not the only language in the world and everyone spells things different.

    Anyway This game is looking good and will probebly give the players an exciting view of Africas wildlife and unique Landscape. i feel sad for it not coming to Europe and i hope that they will change that in the future.
    Also for me a game that takes minimum 2 year is a good developed game, i rather have a game take it's time then rush since it will always be better than rushing it. So take your frelling time and wait or get a crappy game filled with bugs that could have been tons of better.
    But i know for a fact that plp are usually whiners and almost makes the companys realse things before they had plan it just beacuse plp want it so bad, But then they complain about the gameplay the bugs and etc....
    So just stop rushing things and let things take the time it has to. I want quality not Coantity. but if you want it un finnished go ahead >> but don't whine about it later on.
    And that is for all games not only this one.

  • madvicker

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 5:35 pm PT

    Oy Tom Magrino there are no caribou in Africa. Just thought you should know. You cannot contest this as I lived in Africa for 18 years and been on many safaris.

  • Draggunof

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 4:48 am PT

    Sounds more boring than if I go to the zoo with my parents.

  • MC_Raptor

    Posted May 30, 2008 5:12 pm PT

    sounds balls

  • ps3thabest

    Posted May 30, 2008 8:19 am PT

    might be good hunt animals people all type of stuff

  • ANIALATOR136

    Posted May 30, 2008 6:25 am PT

    Is It coming to the UK?

  • Mr_Manikin52

    Posted May 29, 2008 10:40 am PT

    Can we hunt people too? Headhunter style.

  • jakie91

    Posted May 29, 2008 3:55 am PT

    I watched the movie,

    It sounds like the Final Fantasy XII soundtrack

    Well that's my thought on it...

  • lilmp89

    Posted May 28, 2008 11:34 pm PT

    so...basically...someone heard the name...nothing else...

    i'm quite curious to find out what it's all about, but the article dashed my hopes...

  • x-2tha-z

    Posted May 28, 2008 3:45 pm PT

    I honestly believe this will be the biggest pile of crap to be released by Sony this generation.

  • ctg867

    Posted May 28, 2008 1:52 pm PT

    Well it seems like it's going to be a safari, exploration, photography game. If it's calm and relaxing at most points, and a little crazy at times when, let say, the lions come by, and it looks great, I think it does it's job. If it's a good game, and it's priced right, I'll buy it. I expect it to be out for next year.

  • EcoJak

    Posted May 28, 2008 11:34 am PT

    sweet

  • philoslocos

    Posted May 28, 2008 10:28 am PT

    This game hopefully will be like a fully fleshed out pokemon snap. It would be cool if they had certain objectives and rare animals to find. Only problem with this is pacing. you probably seen a documentary on it. Real life nature photography is all about camping at a spot and waiting for days for the right moment that may or may not come.

  • jaredcrazy3232

    Posted May 28, 2008 10:10 am PT

    I have been waiting for some sort of info tidbit.

  • blastingfinch

    Posted May 28, 2008 9:57 am PT

    How come no Europe!!!

  • ketchupclaw

    Posted May 28, 2008 9:53 am PT

    There was a game that came out for the wii not that long ago that boasted a huge ocean of fish, sharks, vegetation, etc. you played a diver. It was really well reviewed because of how immersive and relaxing it was. I have a funny feeling that if these guys crank up the immersion, do their research on animal behaviour, and make an exciting achievements system, this could turn out to be a sleeper hit.

  • resident_rozza

    Posted May 28, 2008 9:43 am PT

    Maybe it will be like Pokemon Snap?

  • darkslider99

    Posted May 28, 2008 9:32 am PT

    Xanderzanr, you realise that there are a lot fo quality titles that spend over 2 years in developerment, right? Look at Blizzard, they spend a long time on their games, and there games are always of the utmost quality.

  • XanderZane

    Posted May 28, 2008 8:38 am PT

    kos1085 And why is SCEA working on this instead of a blockbuster title such as a new twisted metal or heavenly sword II. *********************************************************
    Uuumm.. did you read the article? Sony isn't working on this, Rhino Studios in Japan is. Sony is going to publishing it in Japan. It probably won't even come to the U.S. Not even sure why it's on Gamespot's site. The game appears to be a safari simulation, which is different, but probably will be boring. The only thing interesting about the game is that it looks very good graphically and the sounds were decent. The fact the the game is almost 2yrs old in development and still not out, worries me.

  • kos1085

    Posted May 28, 2008 8:17 am PT

    And why is SCEA working on this instead of a blockbuster title such as a new twisted metal or heavenly sword II.

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