Zimbabwe’s gaming community is gearing up for Button Bash, a new gaming convention set to take place on April 19th and 20th, 2025, at Moto Republik in Harare. Organized by Otaku Konnect, the event aims to bring together gamers, developers, and enthusiasts for two days of competitive gaming, networking, and industry discussions.
On paper, this sounds like an exciting step forward for Zimbabwe’s gaming scene. But given the rapid evolution of gaming worldwide—where esports tournaments boast million-dollar prize pools and game development is a multi-billion-dollar industry—is Button Bash enough to ignite a true gaming industry in Zimbabwe?
How Does Button Bash Compare to Global Trends?
Button Bash will feature competitive tournaments in Mortal Kombat 1, Tekken 8, Blur, and EAFC25. While Tekken 8 and Mortal Kombat 1 are global esports staples, Blur—a racing game released in 2010—is an odd inclusion in 2025. Globally, major gaming conventions and tournaments prioritize fresh, high-profile titles like Fortnite, Valorant, Call of Duty: Warzone, and League of Legends—games that are driving esports viewership into the millions.
Take EVO (Evolution Championship Series), one of the biggest fighting game tournaments in the world. The latest edition had competitors battling in Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Guilty Gear: Strive, games with active professional circuits and major sponsorship deals. Compare that to Button Bash, where the selection—though solid—could be more ambitious to attract serious competitive players.
Beyond just tournament play, successful gaming events also showcase indie game development, VR, AI-driven gaming experiences, and live game modding. If Zimbabwe wants to be taken seriously in the gaming world, future iterations of Button Bash might need to broaden their focus beyond just casual tournaments.
Where’s the Incentive? Building a Viable Gaming Career
One major question looms large: what’s in it for Zimbabwean gamers?
The global esports industry thrives because of financial incentives. The Dota 2 International has awarded over $40 million in prize money in a single tournament. Fortnite World Cup winners have walked away with $3 million prizes. Even in South Africa, the ACGL (African Cyber Gaming League) has seen sponsorship from major brands, with tournament prizes reaching thousands of dollars.
But Button Bash? The prize details are unclear. Without significant rewards, what’s pushing local players to take gaming seriously? Zimbabwean esports players need incentives that make gaming a viable career path. This could mean:
- Cash prizes big enough to justify time investment.
- Scholarships or sponsorships for players to attend regional/international tournaments.
- Gaming hardware and accessories as rewards, allowing top players to upgrade their setups.
- Brand sponsorships from companies willing to back local talent.
This isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about economic opportunities. South Africa’s Bravado Gaming, a professional esports organization, has sent players to international tournaments thanks to proper sponsorship. Zimbabwe should learn from such examples and build gaming into a real profession, not just a hobby.
What’s Missing? The Right Stakeholders Need to Step In
For Button Bash to be more than just a fun weekend, serious industry players need to be involved. Currently, the event is mostly community-driven, but a thriving gaming industry requires buy-in from several key stakeholders:
- Tech & Telecom Companies
- Fast, reliable internet is the backbone of esports.
- In South Africa, Telkom sponsors gaming tournaments and offers dedicated gaming internet packages.
- Locally, Econet, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, ZOL, TelOne, NetOne and more should be involved in supporting gaming through internet bundles or event sponsorship.
- Government & Policy Makers
- Rwanda has an official esports federation that promotes gaming at a national level.
- Zimbabwe could develop a Gaming and Esports Association to regulate and support the industry.
- Universities & Education Institutions
- Gaming courses in coding, game design, and esports management should be introduced in Zimbabwean universities.
- ZOU (Zimbabwe Open University) and NUST could partner with tech companies to offer gaming scholarships.
- Corporate Sponsorship
- Nando’s in South Africa sponsors esports events—why not engage local brands like Chicken Inn or Delta Beverages?
- Companies looking to target young, tech-savvy audiences should see gaming as a marketing opportunity.
- International Partnerships
- Collaborations with global gaming brands (e.g., Sony, Microsoft, Epic Games) could bring in funding, expertise, and hardware.
- The British Council and the US Embassy have supported Zimbabwean creative projects before—could they fund gaming initiatives?
Is This the Spark Zimbabwe’s Gaming Industry Needs?
Button Bash is a much-needed step in the right direction, but it alone won’t build a gaming industry. For Zimbabwe to have a legitimate gaming scene, there needs to be long-term investment, proper incentives, and strategic partnerships.
That said, every industry starts somewhere. Kenya’s gaming sector was once non-existent, but today it boasts Esports Kenya Federation and game developers making headlines worldwide. If Zimbabwe’s gaming community keeps pushing, engages the right players, and demands more from stakeholders, then events like Button Bash could be the beginning of something bigger.
The question remains: will Zimbabwe take gaming seriously, or will this just be another fleeting event?