Undercover investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has once again captured international attention—this time for leading a bold experiment that fuses investigative journalism with gaming. His latest project, Floodlight Gaming Connects Investigative Reporting, has been hailed as a pioneering model for how storytelling can evolve in the digital age.
The initiative transforms real investigative cases into interactive experiences, enabling players to take on the role of investigative reporters. From confronting corruption to tackling human rights abuses and environmental crimes, the game allows audiences not only to observe but to live through the risks, ethical choices, and dilemmas faced by journalists on the frontlines.
Anas described the innovation as a new chapter in journalism’s evolution:
“For years, we have used undercover reporting to hold the powerful accountable. But today, it’s not enough to reveal the truth—we must also find ways to make it resonate with future generations. Gaming gives us that opportunity.”
Workshops attached to the project are bringing together journalists, educators, developers, and human rights advocates to co-create game narratives that reflect real-world investigations. The goal is to inspire young, digitally engaged audiences to understand corruption, demand accountability, and value press freedom.
The project was made possible through a unique coalition of international supporters. It was established by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), the Gabo Foundation, and Anima Interactive, with support from V-Ventures, SpielFabrique, Global Game Jam, Good Game Generation, and the International Game Developers Association (IGDA). These partners contributed funding, expertise, and creative resources to ensure the experiment succeeded on a global stage.
With this recognition, Anas not only reinforces his reputation as one of the world’s most fearless investigative journalists but also as a visionary who is reshaping how truth is told and preserved in the digital age.
See the press release below:
September 24 – “Hunting the Hunter” by Berlin-based Greenwave Games won the top prize in Floodlight Gaming’s first global investigative journalism game jam. The winner receives $5,000 and a spot in SpielFabrique’s Launchpad Program, which offers individualized mentoring and support.
The winner was announced at the inaugural Floodlight Investigative Journalism Gaming Summit, held in Amsterdam on September 24 and live-streamed online. The Summit featured highlights from the game jam finalists as well as discussions between game developers and investigative journalists about storytelling and the crossover between the two industries.
“We launched Floodlight Gaming to give game developers all over the world exclusive access to top-notch investigative journalism about global organized crime and corruption,” said Floodlight Gaming and OCCRP Co-Founder Paul Radu. “We want to generate a new wave of games that gives developers free reign to create in the public interest. The games that were submitted through the jam were incredible and really elevated the reporting.”
Floodlight Gaming was established by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), the Gabo Foundation, and Anima Interactive, with support from V-Ventures, SpielFabrique, Global Game Jam, Good Game Generation, and the International Game Developers Association.
The winning game is based on an investigation by Anas Aremeyaw Anas from Ghana, “Hunting the Hunter: Infiltrating the Cocoa Smuggling Underworld of Ghana’s Western Border.” Anas went undercover to expose a deep-rooted network that sabotaged Ghana’s economy, deprived farmers, and threatened national security.
“Hunting the Hunter winning this award is a powerful reminder that storytelling and innovation can join forces to inspire the next generation,” Anas said. “This recognition affirms that the fight against corruption can engage hearts and minds far beyond traditional journalism. Above all, I hope it challenges young people everywhere to believe that they too can use their creativity and courage to make a difference.”
A jury selected five finalists from the fictionalized games submitted to the world’s first investigative journalism game jam. The four other finalists were:
- Dark Money by Polyvale Studios, based on reporting by hundreds of journalists in the OCCRP network for the Laundromat series
- Echoes: El Salvador by Stijn Verstraete, based on reporting by Juan José Martínez d’Aubuisson
- Rise of Viktor Orban by Pol Grasland-Mongrain and Dylhan ‘Zhanko’ Phong, based on reporting by Andras Petho
- Cocoa Capture by Leto du Plessis, Damian Grobler, Matthew Carlton, Kairan Moorlach, and Cale Adamson, based on reporting by Anas Aremeyaw Anas
“In an era of rampant misinformation, our roles as storytellers, developers, and journalists have never been more critical,” said Anima Interactive Founder Karla Reyes. “Video games are one of the most powerful mediums of our time for building empathy, bearing witness, and telling nuanced and complex truths that do not often dominate public discourse. We are grateful to all of the jam participants and our developer community for being an essential part of the Floodlight Investigative Journalism game jam.”
Developed by Bernard Lis and Chris Vogel, “Hunting the Hunter” puts the player into the role of an investigative journalist who uncovers a smuggling ring. The Floodlight Gaming jury called the game an “impressive prototype for an open world-game that delivers a great overall experience and good visuals.”
“I really enjoyed that we were able to ask our questions to the journalist,” said developer Vogel during the event. “It made our game so much deeper than it would have been otherwise.”
