National Geographic publishing Afrika in the US

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 19th 2008 at 3:15PM }

Remember Afrika? It's a nature-themed PS3-exclusive photography game that met moderate success when it debuted in Japan earlier this year. An English release seemed unlikely due to the niche content of the game, but it appears the game will be making its way to American shores -- and from an unlikely source, as well.

National Geographic has picked up the rights for Afrika, rebranding it as National Geographic: Africa. It's promised to release next month -- but with potentially very little fanfare.

For more on National Geographic: Africa, read our previous stories on Afrika.

Tags: afrika, national-geographic, national-geographic-africa

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Devin @ Nov 19th 2008 3:21PM

If it gets decent reviews, there is not doubt that I will be getting this for my g/f. She loves animals and thought this game looked fun....other than that I just want to know how much it will cost....

Bagels @ Nov 19th 2008 3:22PM

You would get so many peoples attention by telling them it's a game where you get to shoot animals-

and then lose them just as quickly by telling them you do so with a camera.

kentuckyfried @ Nov 19th 2008 10:31PM

the U.S. release would benefit from an extended mode where you get to hunt the wildlife after you beat the game.

Marius @ Nov 19th 2008 3:22PM

I was once excited for this game because i thought it was a hunting game that would revolutionize the series...so much for that.

Unless i could kill the animals this game is a no buy.

Gaucho @ Nov 19th 2008 3:33PM

my thoughts exactly. personally I've always wanted to choke a giraffe.

Devin @ Nov 19th 2008 4:04PM

You guys and you're shoot'em ups.....always gotta kill something....

Tom @ Nov 19th 2008 3:23PM

Any chance of an EU release?

Oh look, I'm being silly again.

Undercovermc @ Nov 19th 2008 6:21PM

You should be able to import it from the US.

drdre74 @ Nov 19th 2008 3:25PM

The game looks stunning but not sure I'd want to run around and just sit there and take pics of animals and thats it. I'm sure it will be cool to see a lion running down another animal or something and you have to take a pic of it. But i havent really seen much on the game.

David @ Nov 19th 2008 4:56PM

Hakuna Matada

lol

profeteer @ Nov 19th 2008 3:29PM

I'm actually pretty surprised and excited that this is coming over here. It looks like a relaxing, interesting 'game'. It will definitely help if it's bargain priced ($40).

I've been playing a lot of far cry 2 and I'm curious to see how different it is, too...

brazenheaded @ Nov 19th 2008 4:04PM

I can pretty much promise you that it's going to be the exact opposite of Far Cry 2...

bombtrak @ Nov 19th 2008 3:30PM

Remember, comma usage guidelines?

NipGrip @ Nov 19th 2008 3:31PM

I think it's a sad time when people can't have "fun" in a game unless they are shooting things. Must be Americans.

DrunkMiffy @ Nov 19th 2008 3:50PM

I agree. I'll definitely be getting this game if it comes to the EU. It looks quite interesting, especially if you're a fan of big cats and things :) But then on the other hand..

I think if they did a revamp of this, and made it a hunting game, it would be brilliant. With graphics like these, I can imagine being perched on a tree, staring down the scope at a lonely gazelle.. Sun's setting, everything's silent..

Matthew @ Nov 19th 2008 3:54PM

Hey! I'm an American, I'll have you know... and I totally agree with you.

/Case in point: LittleBigPlanet

othello500 @ Nov 19th 2008 5:11PM

I'm extremely excited to know this game will be coming in the near future. I was really disappointed that it didn't seem likely it would appear in english speaking territories for lack of interest, but this is great news hearing the adverse.

By the way, I'm American and in the military. =)

Ninjachef @ Nov 19th 2008 10:26PM

"I think it's a sad time when people can't have "fun" in a game unless they are shooting things. Must be Americans."

Says the man with Doom box art for a display picture.

JK @ Nov 19th 2008 3:38PM

I think the only reason I'm less interested now is that I don't want to buy a game called "National Geographic: Africa" than "Afrika".

The Pirate @ Nov 19th 2008 3:45PM

Agreed. I hate the new name. Why change it? Just to establish its a national geographic game? If anything the name is gonna turn off more people. ill still get the game, but i may port it from japan. I dont know if i want to look on the cover and see National Geographic: Africa :S

Miles @ Nov 19th 2008 3:45PM

I'd grab the US version (and import it to Europe), and print out the “Hakuna Matata” cover from somewhere on the 'tubes.

Tom @ Nov 19th 2008 5:47PM

Sounds interesting. Linky please?

fugurous @ Nov 19th 2008 3:41PM

NIpGrip you took the worlds out of my mouth, that is truly sad.

fugurous @ Nov 19th 2008 3:45PM

Sad

Warner Young @ Nov 19th 2008 3:52PM

Gah, figures! Just after I got the import version.

Gambit07 @ Nov 19th 2008 3:53PM

Next month? whoa... wish they did that to GOWIII.

Daniel @ Nov 19th 2008 3:56PM

Next month? SWEET! Can't wait to play this...I wanted so bad for this to come to America! Awesome news!

gordyNYC @ Nov 20th 2008 9:03PM

GOOD NEWS! I don't know about you guys but I'm tired of shooting things in games with guns. It's all about shooting w cameras in 09.

Evan @ Nov 19th 2008 4:05PM

When Sony showed Afrika over two years ago, not only did it promise amazing graphics, it also hinted that Sony planned on making and releasing non-traditional games for the PS3. I've been let down on both accounts.

Devin @ Nov 19th 2008 4:07PM

Please explain

Brett @ Nov 19th 2008 4:08PM

I was pumped when I saw the trailers and everything but it was Japan only, it looks like an interactive Planet Earth! And as you find new animals there is hi-def real life footage about them that is from National Geographic, hence Nat Geo's interest.

Popfrogs @ Nov 19th 2008 9:48PM

I did not know that! That makes it that much better. I love hidef nature shows.

Jeffrey Stratton @ Nov 19th 2008 4:14PM

My wife wanted this game, but only if she could share the pics online and export them as themes or use them on a website etc. I did hear rumblings of this, geez it seems like a year ago. Does anyone know the answer? What of trophy support as well?

Warner Young @ Nov 19th 2008 11:54PM

Jeffery, I have the import version, and in that version, there is a way to post photos to an online gallery so others can see them. I think it's a special website, though, so it's not like you can just put them on Flickr or something.

I *think* you can also just take snapshots that are saved on your system, but I'm not sure about this. I hadn't had the game too long before LittleBigPlanet showed up, so I haven't played it as much as I should.

THE GUARDIAN @ Nov 19th 2008 4:21PM

This is awesome news, I really wanted this game, YES!!! :D

schuyler @ Nov 19th 2008 4:24PM

If it's like pokemon snap I will probably get it... I loved that game and I don't know why...

Kev. Not flaming anymore @ Nov 19th 2008 5:17PM

oh my gosh the goofy pics wit them idk i left the same way it was great.

j.howlett @ Nov 19th 2008 5:04PM

i'm excited it's coming to america but i don't even have money to get the main games on my wish list

Juthan @ Nov 19th 2008 6:15PM

Good! I was just researching this very thing yesterday wondering if it had been announced for the US yet. Outstanding! Me and my kids will enjoy this one.

KinjiroSSD @ Nov 19th 2008 6:39PM

Maybe I'm just abnormal but I thought it looked pretty cool when they first showed it. I will definitely gamefly it and possibly buy it thereafter.

ahhoiboy @ Nov 19th 2008 7:57PM

sweet! i loved planet earth bbc on blue ray and now i get to play something similar to that experience. hopefully it will have trophy support. :)

Kristopher gonzalez @ Nov 19th 2008 9:12PM

Hell yea i'm so happy to hear this and i'm also happy to hear that they are going to make more of those type of games.

:D

Mr. X @ Nov 20th 2008 11:27AM

I was recently looking at importing this game, but now that it will get an official release in the US those plans will be scrapped.

Brian @ Nov 20th 2008 2:19AM

This is great news. They can count on me buying a copy. I couldn't believe it never got released here by Sony. I think it already has English in it so just release it. It seems like a really interesting game.

wolf26pack @ Nov 20th 2008 2:23AM

I really do think that Afrika was a better name instead of the Whole National Geographic's Africa. I am still glad it is coming out to the U.S. rather then me having to import it from Europe or Japan.

I would hope most of you considering importing it from Europe or Japan reconsider because were lucky we got this game because it is such a niche title and if we don't support it here next time there is another niche title we may not get it because they will think last time there was a title like this it really didn't sell well & won't bring it here.

If we really don't like the title I suggest that we contact National Geographic and maybe they would reconsider changing the title. Even though I don't like the name I will still buy it from National Geographic. As long as all the content within the game is the same as the Japanese & European versions. I also hope it is going to be selling for only $40 as well because I think that would be a great price.

Pat @ Nov 21st 2008 10:19AM

Again, i'm in the UK and i'd buy it...

Eneref @ Nov 20th 2008 8:59AM

Awesome. This game looked incredible from the vids I've seen, but as always, I was disappointed that it wasn't coming to the US. All we seem to get here are tired, hackneyed shoot-em-ups that are the 9th in a generation of previously released schlock.

It's nice to get something original and fun, showing off the capabilities of the PS3 in ways that don't always involve counting 'lives' or 'health bars.'