Promoting African Folklore through Gameplay & Design
A bold playing card deck that brings West African myths to life—combining strategic gameplay with striking packaging to celebrate culture through play.
The Challenge:
Africa holds some of the world’s oldest, most vibrant narratives—rich with supernatural feats, ancestral powers, and heroic archetypes. Yet globally, these stories are overshadowed by Marvel, DC, and other Western franchises that dominate pop culture.
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These giants operate on a powerful four-point cycle:
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Storytelling introduces their heroes—through comics, books, or origin lore.
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Films elevate these characters into global icons.
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Merchandising embeds them in everyday life—through toys, clothes, and collectibles.
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Gaming and interactivity keep the stories alive through active participation and play.
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In contrast, African mythologies—filled with shape-shifters, skywalkers, and spirit warriors—aren’t immortalized in the daily lives of young people. They were passed on through Tales by Moonlight, bedtime stories, and small community gatherings. But with rapid urbanization and lifestyle shifts, those oral traditions are fading—and with them, the stories.
The global superhero economy is valued at over $90 billion, yet Africa and the diaspora remain underrepresented in its storytelling and merchandising. But the tide is turning.
By 2030, Africa’s comic book market is projected to hit $134.6 million, while the continent’s gaming industry is expected to grow from $1.9 billion in 2023 to $3.3 billion by 2028. Add to this the $1.6 trillion spending power of Black American consumers, and a powerful case emerges for culturally grounded, globally resonant superhero experiences.
The POWERS taps into this opportunity—not by chasing Hollywood, but by building a strategic, homegrown superhero ecosystem rooted in African folklore and delivered through tangible, interactive gameplay—all launched from a $0 starting budget.
The Approach:
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With a $0 budget, I made a conscious choice: rather than pitch rough sketches in search of funding or validation, I would create something tangible from scratch. My first step was to analyze the core elements that give MCU and DC characters their global staying power—because let’s face it, it’s not just about billion-dollar budgets.
What truly makes these characters so beloved and enduring?
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Relatable origin stories rooted in personal trauma or transformation.
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Distinctive powers and visual identities that make them instantly recognizable.
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Character evolution across multiple formats—film, comics, games, merch.
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Emotional resonance, often tied to themes of justice, family, loss, and redemption.
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And above all, a framework of interconnected storytelling that allows fans to grow with the characters.
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Armed with that insight, I turned to West African folklore.
A goldmine of mythologies filled with complex, superhuman figures who already possessed these same ingredients. Characters with rich backstories, unique powers, deep symbolism, and cultural relevance that could rival any Avenger or Kryptonian.
Using initial pencil sketches and hours of AI-assisted image generation via Adobe Firefly, I pushed beyond prompt limits—spamming body parts, outfits, expressions, weapons—to assemble the first-ever lineup of “The POWERS”, inspired by these reimagined African legends.
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Now, I couldn't make a movie. A book would take months—and risk losing younger audiences already steeped in fast digital entertainment. But I needed something tangible, self-fundable, and scalable.
That’s when I landed on the medium:
Playing cards are a nostalgic, instantly familiar object in the childhood of nearly every Nigerian and West African. I identified this group as my primary target market, a starting point that felt personal and accessible. But from the beginning, I built a framework designed to resonate far beyond—with all people of Black descent worldwide, connecting through shared heritage, identity, and the universal power of storytelling.
So began the journey of developing The POWERS playing cards—the first expression of the Gaming and Interactivity lever in the four-point superhero industry cycle.
The Solution:
To bring The POWERS to life, I strategically selected two well-established playing card formats: the globally recognized Bicycle Poker cards and the widely popular West African WHOT cards. This dual-format approach ensures versatility, allowing the deck to seamlessly integrate into both Western and African gaming traditions.​
Top Poker Variants Supported
The deck is compatible with numerous poker games, including:​
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Texas Hold'em
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Omaha
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Seven-Card Stud
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Five-Card Draw
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Pineapple
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Crazy Pineapple
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Irish Poker
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Low/High Chicago
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Badugi
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Cincinnati​
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These variants are among the most popular and widely played poker games globally.
WHOT Game Integration
Incorporating the WHOT format, the deck resonates with West African players familiar with the game's unique rules, such as matching shapes or numbers and utilizing special action cards like "Pick 2" or "Hold On" . This inclusion honors the cultural significance of WHOT, where games often culminate with triumphant declarations like "Last card!" and "Check up!"​.
Design Elements
The deck features four suits, each represented by a distinct shape and color:​
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Red X's
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Green Squares
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Blue Circles
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Purple Rhombuses​
These choices were the result of meticulous analysis focusing on identification, symmetry, and clarity. The symmetrical design ensures that cards can be held upright in any orientation, a hallmark of premium playing cards.​
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Character Integration
The deck introduces a lineup of characters from West African folklore, categorized as follows:​
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Main Power Cards -
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The 20's
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Ogun (X): Yoruba deity of iron and warfare.
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Osanobua (Square): Supreme god in Edo mythology, representing creation and peace.
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Anyawu (Circle): Igbo sun goddess, symbolizing life and energy.
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Queen of the Coast (Rhombus): Mythical water spirit known for beauty and allure.​
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The 14's
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Amadioha (X): Igbo god of thunder and justice.
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Sango (Square): Yoruba god of thunder and lightning.
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Mami Wata (Circle): Water spirit revered across West and Central Africa.
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Karashika (Rhombus): Legendary figure associated with seduction and danger.​
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Variable Power Cards -
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8's: Lady Koi Koi – A ghostly figure known for haunting school dormitories.
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2's: Abiku – Spirits of children who die prematurely, often returning repeatedly to the same mother.
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1's: Willy Willy – Mythical being associated with mysterious disappearances.​
These characters appear across all suits, adding depth and strategy to gameplay.​
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Original Gameplay Modes
Beyond traditional games, The POWERS deck introduces two unique modes:​
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Nexus: A strategic game where players harness the abilities of the main power cards to control the game's flow.
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Rapid Fire: A fast-paced mode emphasizing quick thinking and adaptability, utilizing the variable power cards for dynamic play.​
The Impact:
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The primary target—West Africans across the globe—can now rekindle their love for card games and reignite nostalgic rivalries with The POWERS 3-pack or single decks. Whether for game nights, cultural events, or casual play, each deck invites players into a world where folklore meets gameplay. Launch incentives such as free posters and branded merch help deepen the emotional connection between the characters and their stories, bringing long-forgotten legends back into popular reckoning.
To support this immersive experience, two fully developed gameplay formats have been created:
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Rapid Fire: A fast-paced, revamped WHOT-style game with simplified rules and visual guides, downloadable for easy reference during game nights. While a clear structure is provided, house rules are encouraged, allowing regional flavor and personal traditions to shine through.
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Nexus Gameplay: An original, high-strategy card game designed specifically for The POWERS deck. Unlike games driven by pure luck, Nexus rewards thoughtful play, smart alliances, and deep understanding of each Power Card’s abilities. A comprehensive guide is included, packed with tips for strategic gameplay.
The first batch of decks has just been printed—expertly crafted and beautifully presented in a gloss-finished magnetic box. Each box includes a standard-size deck (2.5" × 3.5"), printed on high-quality gloss-finished cards, along with a collectible promotional poster.
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The POWERS is now ready to go on sale online and in select gift shops around the world. It’s more than a deck of cards—it’s a movement, pushing the narrative of Africa’s original superheroes and reestablishing their place in the hearts, hands, and homes of a global audience.