At Tentuplay (Sentience Inc.), we collaborate with team members from different parts of the world who represent diverse nationalities. Emirhan Feyzullahoglu, Sentience's software engineer, is in charge of game development. With a background as a game developer at a Turkish game studio, he will be presenting the past, present, and future of the Turkish game industry.

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Introduction

The gaming industry in Turkiye has seen remarkable growth over the past few decades. From humble beginnings to becoming a significant player on the global stage, Turkiye's gaming market is now a thriving ecosystem of developers, gamers, and investors. As a Turkish developer, I am writing this blog post aiming to provide an in-depth look at the history, current state, and future prospects of the gaming industry in Turkiye.

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History of the Gaming Industry in Turkiye

Globally Known Game Development Studios and Their Impact

Turkiye is home to several game development studios that have made a significant impact on the global gaming scene:

  • ‍TaleWorlds Entertainment: Known for the critically acclaimed "Mount & Blade" series, TaleWorlds has put Turkiye on the map for RPG and strategy games.
    • ‍Mount & Blade: Warband: Released in 2010, this game has sold over 6 million copies worldwide. It remains popular for its deep gameplay mechanics and modding community.

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  • Peak Games: Acquired by Zynga for $1.8 billion, Peak Games is a mobile gaming giant known for popular titles like "Toy Blast" and "Toon Blast."
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  • ‍Phew Phew Games: This indie studio has gained attention for its innovative and engaging game called Anomaly Agent, contributing to the diversity of Turkiye's gaming portfolio.
    • Anomaly Agent: This action-packed platformer has garnered positive reviews for its unique art style and engaging gameplay. While it is still gaining traction, it has been praised for its creativity and design. having 84 metascore on metacritics and  owner estimations is:

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  • Dream Games: known for their hit game "Royal Match”
    • Royal match:  As of July 2023, Royal Match is the biggest mobile game by monthly revenue globally with annual consumer spending on it at $2 billion. There are about 55 million monthly active users.

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Growth of the Industry in the 2000s

The 2000s marked a period of rapid growth for Turkiye's gaming industry. With increasing internet penetration and a young, tech-savvy population, the demand for video games surged. This period also saw the rise of local game development studios and the establishment of gaming communities.

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Key Milestones and Events

Several key milestones have shaped the Turkish gaming industry:

  • 2020: Turkiye’s gaming industry celebrates its most lucrative year ever, with revenue reaching $880 million.
  • June 2020: Istanbul-based Peak Games was acquired by Zynga for $1.8 billion, making it Turkiyefirst unicorn.
  • 2021:
    • Turkish-developed mobile games accounted for 20% of the top 100 downloaded titles in the US.
    • The total number of players in Turkiye increased from 36 million to 41 million. Total player revenue increased from $880 million to $1.2 billion.

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Current Gaming Market Situation in Turkiye

Market Size and Revenue

  • Market Size: Turkiye's gaming market was the 18th largest in the world as of 2021.
  • Revenue: The digital gaming market in Turkiye reached a revenue of $1.22 billion in 2021. The revenue for 2023 is $580 million, but considering the fluctuations in exchage rates, a real growth can be observed when it is converted to TL.
  • Mobile Games: Approximately half of the total revenue was earned via mobile games. Mobile game revenue was $620 million in 2021, up from $450 million in the previous year.
  • Turkiye's gaming market has been growing since the 2010s, with the pandemic and economic crisis accelerating its growth. The market is expected to continue growing, with new innovations and technologies attracting even more casual gamers.

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Number of Gamers

  • Number of gamers: In 2023, the number of gamers in Turkiye was 47 million, up from 32 million in 2019. In 2023, there were approximately 44 million mobile gamers in Turkiye.
  • Player statistics: 81% of adults in Turkiye play at least one mobile game. Of all the mobile players in Turkiye, 51% are male and 49% are female, while ages 14 to 29 comprise 37% of players, ages 30 to 49 comprise 44% of players and the lowest stands at players age 50 to 69 with 19%. These are highly active players as well, 72% saying they play mobile games daily, while 22% only play a few times a week.

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Popular Game Genres and Platforms

  • The top three most popular gaming genres:
    • ‍Action-adventure games: 49.2%
    • ‍Puzzles: 46.2%
    • ‍Racing games: 45.7%
  • Popular Platforms:
    • ‍Mobile: 620M$
    • ‍Computer and Console Shares: 332.5M$

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Interesting Facts in Turkiye Game Scene

Esport scene

Turkiye's esports scene is thriving, with a strong presence in various games and a growing community of players and fans. The country's unique cultural values and family-oriented approach to esports teams have contributed to its success in the global esports landscape.

1) FUT Esports: One of the largest esports organizations in Turkiye, competing in multiple titles, including  VALORANT, PUBG and more‍. Also FUT House is the largest gaming house and esports facility in Europe, spanning 120,000 sqft, with a cozy atmosphere and state-of-the-art facilities.

  • ‍Achievements of FUT Esports(Valorant):

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2) Space Soldiers: The team competed in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and was founded in 2015. The organization parted ways with its CS:GO players on October 13, 2018, after the players unilaterally rescinded their contracts on September 15, 2018. The team was rebranded as Eternal Fire in 2021

(Space Soldiers)
(Eternal Fire)
  • Achievements of Space Soldiers/Eternal Fire: CS:GO
(Space Soldiers)
(Eternal Fire)

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3) BBL Esports: organization founded in July 2020 has made a significant impact in the Valorant scene, especially in Turkiye

  • Achievements of BBL Esports: Valorant
  • Achievements of BBL Esports: PUBG

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Game Events

  • GameX: is a gaming and esports event held in Istanbul, Turkiye. It's a platform for gamers, developers, and industry professionals to come together and share their passion for gaming.the highest participating festival in the EEMEA region
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  • Gaming Istanbul: (GIST) is a gaming exhibit held in Istanbul, Turkiye, that brings together gamers, developers, and industry professional

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Future of Turkiye's Gaming Industry

Turkiye's gaming industry has significant growth prospects, driven by a young and tech-savvy population, the popularity of esports, and government support. The industry has seen significant revenue growth, with mobile gaming being the largest segment. Turkish game developers have produced successful games, and foreign investment has also contributed to the industry's growth. Overall, the outlook for Turkiye's gaming industry is positive, with continued growth expected in the coming years.

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Market Potential and Growth Prospects

  • Global audience: Turkish game developers have successfully reached a global audience, with 20% of the most downloaded mobile games in the US developed by Turkish studios in 2021.
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  • Large market: Turkiye has a large and young population, with over 85 million people, and a growing middle class, making it an attractive market for game developers.
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  • Increasing Investment: Turkish gaming start-ups have attracted significant investment, with over $1 billion raised between 2018 and 2022, and a compound annual growth rate of 263%.
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  • Regional hub: Turkiye is also becoming a regional hub for game development, with several companies from the Europe, Middle East and North Africa looking to Turkiye for game development and publishing services.

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Government support and initiatives for the industry

  • Grants: Relevant ministries have provided grants and tax exemptions valued at $50 million to start-ups in the last 10 years.
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  • Funding programs: Initiatives which include grants, tax incentives, and funding programs have been introduced to encourage game development and attract investments.
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  • Gaming and esports academy: The Turkish government announced plans to establish a gaming and esports academy to support the development of the sector.
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  • R&D zones: Companies based in the R&D zones are reimbursed 50% to 80% of their costs under several categories including marketing, outsourcing and overseas expansion.
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  • University programs: The government has helped encourage growth through university programs that aid up-and-coming companies, building strong career options for young people.
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Opportunities for international collaboration and investment

  • Strategic partnerships: Turkish gaming companies are forming partnerships with international companies to expand their reach and improve their offerings, such as the partnership between Trendyol.com and Alibaba.
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  • Investments from international investors: International investors are showing interest in Turkiye's gaming industry, with investments from companies such as Zynga, Tencent, and Microsoft.
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  • Access to European markets: Turkiye's membership in the European Union's customs union provides access to European markets, making it an attractive location for international companies looking to expand their reach.
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  • Access to Middle East and North Africa markets: Turkiye's location provides access to the Middle East and North Africa markets, making it an attractive location for companies looking to expand their reach in the region.
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  • Skilled workforce: Turkiye has a large and skilled workforce, with a high number of engineers and developers, making it an attractive location for companies looking for talent.
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  • International events: Turkiye hosts several international gaming events, such as Gaming Istanbul, which provide opportunities for international collaboration and investment.

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Conclusion

Turkiye's gaming industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from its humble beginnings to becoming a significant player on the global stage. The journey has been marked by the emergence of influential game development studios, and the 2000s saw rapid expansion, driven by increased internet penetration and a tech-savvy population.

With a young and tech-savvy population, increasing investment, and robust government support through grants, tax incentives, and educational programs, the industry is poised for continued growth. Turkiye is also becoming a regional hub for game development, attracting international collaboration and investment. The combination of a skilled workforce, strategic international partnerships, and access to both European and Middle Eastern markets positions Turkiye's gaming industry for sustained success and innovation in the years to come.

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Read our previous post:
Unveiling the Global Game Market #2: Finland
‍Unveiling the Global Game Market #1: The Philippines

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< References >

Gaming In Turkey, Turkiye Game Market 2023 Report.

Gaming In Turkey, Turkiye Game Market 2021 Report, https://www.gaminginturkey.com/en/turkey-game-market-report-2021-published/.

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https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/30/dream-games-raises-155m-at-a-1b-valuation-as-its-royal-match-puzzle-game-hits-a-royal-flush/

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https://liquipedia.net/counterstrike/Space_Soldiers

https://liquipedia.net/counterstrike/Eternal_Fire

https://liquipedia.net/valorant/BBL_Esports

https://liquipedia.net/pubg/BBL_Esports