Tehran Hosts Computer Games Event

The Iranian capital hosted the first round of Tehran Game Convention at the IRIB International Conference Center on July 6-7.

Iran Computer and Video Game Foundation (IRCG) set up the event in collaboration with France’s Game Connection, the official website of the event reported.

Representatives and individuals working with major international game developing companies and publishers were present at the event, including Microsoft, Riot Games, Eidos, Zynga, Ubisoft and Insomniac.

According to reports, 120 startups and more established businesses showcased their latest computer games and related services at the event.

Pierre Carde, the CEO of France’s Game Connection, attended the event and said TGC is the first event jointly conducted by his firm in the Middle East.

“TGC has been the region’s most important event in the gaming industry so far,” he said.

Echoing comments made by Iranian organizers of the event, Carde said one of the main goals of TGC is to connect Iranian game developers to their international peers.

 collaborations

According to the industry professional, collaborations between IRCG and France’s Game Connection will expand further in the future.

The joint operations are set to turn Iran into the technological hub of the region’s gaming sector, with several developers looking to sell their software to international markets.

Carde said, “Iranian developers have a good shot at the international market and are able to claim a considerable chunk of it.”

The event, backed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, was inaugurated by Telecoms Minister Mahmoud Vaezi.

In addition to the Telecoms Ministry, the event has been endorsed by Culture Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri who also paid a visit.

During his visit, Amiri said, “Iranian game developers have a 10-15% share of the local market. The government is aiming to boost the sector so local businesses are able to secure a bigger share of the industry in the coming years.”

At this year’s event, mobile gaming and applications were in the spotlight, as they now constitute the largest share of the gaming market in the country. With this in mind, the organizers offered a free Android companion application dedicated to Tehran Game Convention.

The app offered TGC’s timetable and also a site map of all participants. Users could also connect with other participants via the application and chat with them. It was available for download on AppStore and local Android market, Cafe Bazaar.

In addition, during the event, the CEO of IRCG also addressed the issue of Iranian game developers’ isolation from the international market.

According to Hassan Karimi Qoddousi, Iran has more than 100 companies active in the industry and some 2,000 game developers.

“However, neither the companies, nor the individuals have ties with the international market,” he said.

“In addition to connecting Iranians to foreign businesses, TGC aims to ease technology transfer to the country.”

Qoddousi noted that events like TGC also enable Iranian firms to attract foreign investment and collaboration.

In addition to professionals and government officials, some 2,300 people visited TGC.

 Overview of the Industry

Iran’s Digital Games Research Center, known as DIREC, reported that Iranian game developers earned $1.2 million in international app stores like Google’s Play Store during 2016.

According to the latest review by IRCG, the number of games produced in Iran has grown 12-fold and local companies are gaining a bigger share of the international market.

In 2016, 18 Iranian game developers offered 37 indigenous games through external app stores like Google Play and Apple Store; 48% of these companies worked with international game publishers to introduce their products.