Support Black developers, artists, writers, charities, designers, streamers, etc. year-round. But since this month is dedicated to highlighting the Black history that is made daily, I will list a few recent and upcoming games to check out. Below is a list of games or studios that Black people have influenced, developed, or are leading. So you can add gaming to the list of ways to celebrate Black History Month!
Strange Scaffold
This human-centric studio, Strange Scaffold, whose founder and studio head is Xalavier Nelson Jr., has created some of the most interesting games recently. These games range from a turn-based tactical Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle game to a more recent one in which you assume the role of an intergalactic stockbroker, investing in a stock market that revolves around the simulated futures of alien babies. The core value of Strange Scaffold is centered around “better, faster, cheaper, healthier” game development. This philosophy has led to more titles being released within a short timespan as well as a partnership with Xbox to ensure their titles are released on the Xbox consoles. Here is a list of games that have been released since 2024, along with an honorable mention for one of my personal favorites.
- El Paso, Elsewhere (2023) Very Positive Steam Reviews
- Life Eater (2024) Very Positive Steam Reviews
- Clickolding (2024) Very Positive Steam Reviews
- I Am Your Beast (2024) Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews
- Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 (2025) Very Positive
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tactical Takedown (2025) Very Positive
- Co-op Kaiju Horror Cooking (2025) Mostly Positive
- Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator (2026) Very Positive
Aerial_Knight
Detroit-based indie developer Neil Jones, who is known as Aerial_Knight, has developed some innovative titles. In addition to being a successful game developer, he has collaborated with Daphne Benford-Smith, Esq., and created a guide to help developers advocate for fair publishing agreements. The 3D side-scroller Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield clearly draws inspiration from endless runner games. Where this game stands out is the story filled with colorful, stylized, action-packed cutscenes, alongside engaging acrobatic sidescrolling. Aerial_Knight’s upcoming stylized FPS, Aerial_Knight’s Dropshot, has players falling from the sky and using a “Finger Gun” to take out enemies to grab a parachute before they do. Neil Jones is a solo developer who creates aesthetically pleasing games in well-established genres and adds his own twist to them to create unique, memorable experiences.
- Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield (2021) Mostly Positive Steam Reviews
- Aerial_Knight’s We Never Yield (2024) Positive Steam Reviews
- Aerial_Knight’s DropShot Releasing February 17, 2026
NuChallenger
From working as a capture artist at Rockstar Games to creating NuChallenger an independent games x culture studio, Shawn Alexander Allen has been in the gaming industry for over 20 years. NuChallenger has released two games and an expansive DLC: Treachery in Beatdown City, Treachery in Beatdown City: Ultra Remix, and Treachery in Beatdown City: U.N. Trouble. The Beatdown City franchise is centered around a dope turn-based beat ’em up mechanic. You use FP to string together combos reminiscent of Hybrid Heaven (N64). Shawn and NuChallenger are working hard to create a healthy indie game development environment and enjoyable experiences while building the Beatdown City universe and educating or advising other indie developers through talks and panels.
- Beatdown City Survivors (Q1 2026)
- Treachery in Beatdown City: Ultra Remix DLC (2023)
- Treachery in Beatdown City (2020) Mostly Positive Steam Reviews
Black Voices in Gaming
Based out of Oakland, California, Black Voices in Gaming (BViG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the goal of increasing Black representation and inclusion in the gaming industry. Not only do they advocate for change, but they also support Black developers by featuring them in major video game showcases and providing funding through an Accelerator Program. IGN, Twitch, and GameSpot have featured the BViG showcases. The BViG showcases give Black game developers a platform to showcase their work and combat systemic racism within the gaming industry. Founded by Justin Woodward and Alfonoso Hooker, BViG has become a core part of the gaming industry, especially in the US. BViG has a large list of upcoming and released games developed by Black people. The list of games ranges from dating sims to action-adventure, so there is something for every type of gamer.
Our goal in uplifting Black Voices in Gaming begins with addressing three specific ways in which Black game developers can survive and thrive in the video game industry. Narrative Change: Elevating the voices and contributions of Black game developers, showcasing their works on multiple large platforms, and showing the faces behind these projects in development. Power Building: Pushing back on systemic racism and pushing for racial equity and inclusion across the gaming industry. Systems Change: Confronting decades-long structural barriers and glaring anti-Blackness within the gaming industry that prevents Black game developers from thriving.
Black Voices In Gaming Mission Statement
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