Local Gaming Startup Teams Up with Tropika Island of Treasure to Gamify SA’s Top Reality Show
SpaceSalad Studios, a rising star in the South African gaming scene, has partnered with World Sports Betting for a groundbreaking initiative with Tropika Island of Treasure. The wildly popular reality show premieres on Saturday, 28 September at 6:30 pm on SABC 3. This collaboration is set to revolutionize how audiences engage with reality TV, offering an interactive, second-screen experience that transforms passive viewing into an immersive event. Through this initiative, viewers can now actively participate in challenges from the show via mobile games developed by the gaming startup.
“From the outset, our goal was to enhance the viewing experience by allowing viewers to interact with the same challenges they see on screen,” says Thabo Tsolo, CEO and Game Designer at SpaceSalad Studios. “We pitched the concept of mobile games that mirror the physical challenges contestants face on the show. It’s a unique idea, where players can fully immerse themselves in the action while watching from home.”
This partnership marks a significant milestone for SpaceSalad Studios, made possible through their venture builder partner and investor, Aions Creative Technology, who connected them with World Sports Betting (WSB), the official gaming sponsor for the show.
“World Sports Betting is well-known in the betting industry, but we’re committed to fostering growth and innovation in the South African business landscape through our social development initiatives,” says Charlotte Archer, Marketing Manager at WSB. “Partnering with SpaceSalad Studios aligns with our goal of investing in local SMEs that have the potential to disrupt and innovate. Gaming is evolving rapidly, and we’re excited to support this project that blends sports, entertainment, and technology.”
Rethabile Koma, Lead Programmer at SpaceSalad Studios, explains that the team faced several challenges while developing this second-screen experience. “One of the biggest hurdles was creating six interconnected games with vastly different concepts, while ensuring they were optimized for web browser play. We also had to make sure the games captured the essence of the show’s challenges. Since viewers will play in tandem with televised episodes, it was crucial that the experience on their phones felt like a genuine extension of the show.”
Looking ahead, SpaceSalad Studios sees this as a major step toward more immersive entertainment experiences. The partnership with World Sports Betting on Tropika Island of Treasure sets a precedent for future collaborations in gamifying television and other media forms.
“This could be the start of something much bigger,” says Tsolo. “We’ve already seen how engaged viewers become when they can interact directly with the content. We believe this project will serve as a case study on the impact of gamification on audience retention and growth. We’re excited about what’s ahead—not just for SpaceSalad Studios but for the industry as a whole. We’re ready to take the South African gaming industry to new heights.”
