Total coverage - Kanessa Muluneh - to date

At the heart of a virtual quest that takes players through lush forests, quaint villages and scenic savannas –all inspired by the unique terrains of the African continent– Dubai-born mobile gaming platform Rise of Fearless incorporates elements of a significant battle that took place in the year 1896: the Battle of Adwa. What ended as a rampant victory of the Ethiopian army over the invading Italian forces not only later led to the rise of anti-colonial movements across Africa, it is also what Rise of Fearless founder Kanessa Muluneh (@kanessamuluneh) today believes is one of many lesser known facts that can turn around the prejudiced connotations attached to Africa and its culture.

"Africa's global image has been damaged for decades," Muluneh laments. "If you Google anything about Africa, it's mostly negative. War. Poverty. Corruption. That's the narrative people are used to. So when I created this game, I wanted to flip the script. Rise of Fearless is African. But more than that, it's something positive that comes from Africa, and represents Africa in a way we can actually be proud of...That's why we chose the Battle of Adwa as the core of our Battle Royale storyline. This wasn't just any moment in history; it was the moment Ethiopia fought off colonization and won. The only African country that was never colonized. I want African youth to see themselves as heroes. I want them to feel proud when they play. And I want non-Africans to align with that energy too, to join in and feel what it's like to win on the side of Africa, for once."

Launched officially in the UAE in April 2025, the game is free-to-play to ensure accessibility to a broad audience. Within the first two months of going to market, the game had been downloaded by 3,000 unique users. The brand also has a next plan of action for growth: to integrate Web3 technology and allow players to own in-game assets, earn rewards, and participate in a secure digital economy. "My vision for Rise of Fearless is huge: I don't just want it to be one of the biggest play-to-earn games out there; I want it to be the biggest, period," Muluneh declares.

Read the full story using the link in bio! [✍️:@aalia.m.ahmed]