Business Daily

Brenda Romero's breakthrough game Wizardry is legendary, and she’s made and contributed to more than 50 titles since.

Now, with her own company in Ireland, what does she think is the key to a great game? And in a vulnerable time for the industry, what does she think its future holds?

(Picture: Brenda Romero. Credit: John Press photos)

Presenter: Steffan Powell

There are an estimated 200 million gamers on the African continent.

The industry is growing fast, and generating millions of dollars for gaming companies.

However, there's a problem - many gamers in Africa don't have access to the credit and debit cards needed for in app purchases.

We meet the fintech companies who think they've got a solution.

Produced and presented by Mo Allie

(Image: A woman gaming on her phone. Credit: Getty Images)

The music composed for video games has come a long way. Once limited to simple tunes generated by early synthesizer chips, it now encompasses complex musical works composed for full orchestra.

Video game music is now also considered a key access point to orchestral music among young people, and concert venues around the world are seeing new and diverse audiences attend live performances of gaming soundtracks.

Unsure at first, the classical music world is now embracing the genre - and for good reason. A study by League of of American Orchestras suggests audiences for concerts have dropped by 26% since 2020, with young people being the minority group of attendees.

In this episode, we'll hear about the origins of music written for video games; speaking to composers and orchestras who are embracing new audiences and exciting musical works. And we'll go backstage before opening night of a tour showcasing music from a major video game franchise.

(Image: Gaming Prom – From 8-Bit to Infinity, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Robert Ames, in the Royal Albert Hall, on 1 August 2022, as part of the BBC Proms.)

Presented and produced by Sean Allsop

Tens of thousands of people in the video game industry have lost their jobs in the past year.

The industry itself is valued around 200 billion dollars - one of the biggest in the world. And last year saw some of the biggest releases so far. So with so much success, why are there so many struggles?

(Picture: A rear-view shot of a young woman sitting at a desk playing a video game, she is using a mouse and keyboard and wearing a headset. Credit: Getty Images)

Presented and produced by Izzy Greenfield

The Dutch swimmer won gold in Beijing, having been diagnosed with cancer seven years earlier.

We hear why he decided to stop competing, and instead turn his attention to charity fundraising - setting up his own foundation and raising millions for cancer research through long-distance swimming endurance events.

And how he ensures that the money raised is correctly managed.

Produced and presented by Matthew Kenyon.

(Image: Maarten van der Weijden setting a new world record in 2021, by swimming continuously against a current for more than 31 hours and 7 minutes. Credit: Getty Images)

Kidnapping is endemic in nearly all parts of Nigeria, as shown by the recent high profile mass abduction and release of nearly 300 schoolchildren.

And for young Nigerians who are taking part in the national youth service programme - NYSC - they are particularly vulnerable as they travel to their postings along the country's long rural roads.

Service is mandatory if you want to use your degree - but are the risks just too great now?

And what impact does it have on young people’s futures?

Produced and presented by Frey Lindsay

(Image: National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Ogun State, in 2019. Credit: Getty Images)

Smell is a powerful sense that can evoke memories and spark emotional connections. And it's increasingly big business.

In this programme, we lift the lid on the multi-billion dollar fragrance industry; finding out how scent can influence customer behaviour, build teams, and even help to sell houses.

We hear from a perfume-maker who crowdsources some of the world's most expensive fragrance ingredients, and visit a 15 million dollar house on the market in London, to find out how the right aroma in a property can entice a potential buyer.

And we hear why a major drinks brand has created a fragrance for its company headquarters.

(Picture: A woman smelling perfume. Credit: Getty Images)

Presented and produced by Elizabeth Hotson

We're in Iceland, where, in attempt to fight climate change, huge machines are being used to pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

And then locking it away deep underground, turning it into stone.

The business behind the technology believes this is a crucial step in reducing the amount of CO2 in the air.

But how economical, and impactful, is this carbon capture?

Presented and produced by Adrienne Murray

(Image: A carbon injection site run by Carbfix in Hellisheidi, Iceland. Credit: Getty Images)

We explore the fashion trend that involves minimal labels and logos.

Loved by celebrities and social media influencers, what is it about the quiet luxury trend that is so appealing – particularly in countries like China?

And can you follow the 'stealth wealth' trend on a low budget?

(Picture: Woman standing in luxury hotel suite looking at view with curtains blowing in wind. Credit: Getty Images)

Presented and produced by Gabriele Shaw

Founded in 1901, the International Labour Organisation works with governments of over 180 countries, to help promote internationally recognised labour rights. In all of its 105 year-history, Gilbert F. Houngbo is the first African to be in charge of the UN agency.

In this programme, the ILO leader talks to Rahul Tandon about what he's doing to try to tackle some of the biggest global challenges the world currently faces - from unemployment, to migration, to artificial intelligence.

And we hear about Mr Houngbo's own journey; from a rural upbringing, to studying in Canada, and how he felt when he was asked to serve as Prime Minister of Togo.

(Picture: Gilbert F. Houngbo. Credit: Violaine Martin/ILO)

Presenter: Rahul Tandon