As the first Malagasy video game to be released on major international consoles, Kalanoro marks a new chapter for the country’s creative industry.
The Malagasy video game industry has reached a historic milestone with Kalanoro. Developed by Red Raketa Studio, this Malagasy action-adventure game will be available starting August 27, 2026, on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, providing local creation with unprecedented visibility on the international market.
Created by Red Raketa Studio, a collective of 3D graphic designers, animators, and artists, the game is spearheaded by Dina Valisoa Ratsisetraina, Karen Andrimamonjy, and Steevie.
This project is the culmination of years of hard work. Its development benefited from the support of the Ony association through its Booster Création incubation program, designed to help creators structure their projects and connect them with global industry standards.
“Kalanoro is the result of a very long effort. The project began thanks to Booster Création, a support program aimed at guiding creators toward the requirements of the global industry,” explains Nicolas Auriault, General Manager of the Ony Project.
Thanks to a grant and equipment provided by Ony, the team was able to professionalize their approach and present their project to an international publisher. “We were able to support the team right up to the presentation of the game to a publisher. It is a great pride to have contributed our expertise to a project that has now reached a global scale while showcasing Malagasy talent,” he emphasizes.
This ambition captivated the publisher New Tales, drawn by the project’s strong Malagasy identity. According to Nicolas Auriault, international partners were immediately struck by its originality: “They were won over by the strong Malagasy personality of the game, which they describe as a kind of African Mario.”
Malagasy Songs
Inspired by Malagasy folklore, Kalanoro transports players to the fictional island of Lemuria. The hero must save the island from a witch by gathering musical lemurs to form the best band possible. Exploration, platforming, combat, and light management set the pace for this adventure, where music plays a central role.
The game’s universe draws heavily from Malagasy culture, with landscapes inspired by the Big Island, references to daily life, local gastronomy, and the preparation of traditional dishes. Players will also discover Malagasy songs, a wide variety of lemurs, as well as several animals and characters inspired by Malagasy imagination and heritage, including the Ombiasy. Trips via taxi-brousse also contribute to this immersion into the heart of Madagascar.
Cassie Ramiandrasoa
Captured & Published at: 2026-06-25 06:30:29 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/06/jeux-video-kalanoro-perce-sur-la-scene.html