Moroccan developers take Sky Drift to French game residency
Moroccan game developers Zakarya Chioua and Hidaya Saf, from Marrakech-based indie developer Clover Studio, have been selected for Game Créalab Francophone 2026, where they will further develop their upcoming game Sky Drift.
The two-week residency takes place in Chartres, France, from October 9 to 22, bringing together five creative teams from France, Luxembourg, Morocco, Switzerland and Belgium's Wallonia region.
Chioua and Saf will represent Morocco with Sky Drift, a 3D roguelite platformer in which players control a small rocket using two independently operated thrusters.
Players must navigate challenging levels, collect gems, manage fuel and upgrade their rocket while uncovering a mystery threatening the game's world.
The residency is designed to help developers refine early-stage game projects through mentorship, creative collaboration and access to gaming industry professionals.
Over 14 days, the selected teams will work with experienced game creators and coaches on areas including gameplay, art direction and overall game design.
The programme also includes masterclasses covering business models, distribution, legal considerations and funding, alongside opportunities to receive feedback from publishers.
Each selected project receives a €2,000 grant, with accommodation provided for the participating game designer and art director.
The residency concludes on October 22 with a professional day at Paris Game Biz, where participants will present their projects to industry representatives and explore potential partnerships.
Morocco's participation forms part of a cooperation agreement between the country's Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, through its Department of Communication, and the Institut français du Maroc.
The agreement was signed during the third Morocco Gaming Expo, held in Rabat in May 2026, specifically to support Moroccan participation in Game Créalab Francophone.
It also aims to facilitate networking with the programme's organisers and partners while strengthening exchanges with French cultural and institutional stakeholders.
For Morocco's emerging game development sector, the selection of Chioua and Saf provides an opportunity to showcase local talent internationally and build connections with the wider gaming industry.
The initiative also reflects Morocco's broader efforts to support a new generation of game creators, studios and projects capable of reaching international markets.
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