On November 30, 2017, an amazing new product was showcased to the world for the first time. It was a day of class, fanfare and wonder, amidst the serious business and industry of family entertainment and gaming. With some of Nigeria’s top industry captains, as well as renowned Christian leaders in attendance, the anticipation for the final unveiling was palpable.

The day begun with Christmas carols playing softly amidst the festive decorations. One would have been forgiven for thinking this was the day before Christmas – and it might have well been. Bestman Games unveiled its first proprietary board game, The Bible Game: Saints and Sinners to the world, just in time for every Christmas shopping-list. After the opening prayer by Reverend Igein Isemede, alternative Afro-Soul singer-songwriter, Kaline gave a beautiful rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. Thereafter she surprised the audience with a special song created for The Bible Game depicting the Old and New testament played out in modern Lagos.

 

Coming from the popular stables of Bestman Games, Nigeria’s top family entertainment brand and the African distributor of customised editions of Hasbro’s iconic Monopoly Board Game, the Bible Game exudes the same high-quality aesthetics and fun gameplay that will ensure that it too is well received by generations of families.

During his welcome address, Chairman of Bestman Games, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia SAN, spoke about society’s need to rebuild strong values and the value of games in providing quality time as well as unmatched fun and excitement.

 

Nimi Akinkugbe, Founder and CEO of Bestman Games, and one of Nigeria’s best-known entrepreneurs, took to the stage next, with a passionate address recounting Bestman Games creative and entrepreneurial journey, and the bold steps the company undertook in producing its first proprietary board game.

Bestman Games first came into our collective pop-culture consciousness, with the first African city version of Hasbro’s world famous Monopoly board game 5 years ago, but now the time has come to showcase what was possible from a wholly Nigerian perspective. She explained that the board game had been entirely manufactured in Nigeria. The token pieces themselves are a highlight, as each piece is created using a unique and cutting-edge 3D Printing technology.

Oluseye Soyode-Johnson, a gaming and entertainment consultant took the narrative further, drawing a parallel between the current global evolution of the family entertainment industry, and Nigeria’s gaming opportunities. He also gave insights into technologies transforming the nature of ‘play’, such as robotics, artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

An illustrious panel of business and Christian leaders shed more light on the themes around the Bible Game – including concerns regarding eroding family values, the role of mothers in raising well-adjusted, balanced children, and the role of the Church in the contemporary marketplace. The panel included Nimi Akinkugbe, Mr Odein Ajumogobia SAN, Chancellor of the Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), Yetunde Williams of the popular LagosMums blog, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House Church, Reverend (Dr) Olayinka Omololu, Fmr Provost, Cathedral Church of Christ, and Chukwuka Monye, founding partner of Ciuci Consulting.

The event wouldn’t have been complete without a walk-through of the boardgame’s gameplay; A humorous role-play by 3 actors, displayed the game-dynamics, as well as, the interesting character of the mischievous Challenger, who players must be prepared to face and be quizzed on the bible; they must know the bible in order to save souls.

“The Bible Game: Saints and Sinners” will be in leading stores in time for Christmas. Pre-order at www.bestmangames.com/biblegame, and follow this great game’s journey with the handle, @thebible.game on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.