The Turbulent History of the Gaming Industry

The gaming industry stands out as a rapidly growing and developing sector worldwide. Turkey, in recent years, has begun to shape its entrepreneurial ecosystem by taking serious steps in the area of game development. Yet, there are challenges faced by the sector both in Turkey and globally. According to StartupsWatch, hypercasual game startups, which have been established at an increasing pace since 2018, began to decline after peaking in 2021, achieving the lowest establishment rate in the last five years as of the first quarter of 2023. So, what was the reason for this change in the gaming sector? 

Yesterday: First Steps, Growth and Recognition

The journey of the gaming industry in Turkey began years ago. In the early days, developers often had to work with limited resources and struggled to gain attention on the international stage. Lack of funding and infrastructure challenges were among the factors limiting the sector's growth. Nevertheless, during this period, talented developers and small studios brought forth their creativity and launched their first games. Thanks to these developers and strategies, Turkey's gaming sector gained significant momentum. Game development studios began to attract the attention of national and international investors. Developers gained experience by participating in global gaming projects and produced high-quality games. The growth potential of the sector further increased through incubation centers, accelerator programs, and entrepreneurial events. Additionally, international gaming fairs and events helped Turkish developers increase their recognition on the global stage.

Today: Rapid Rise and Challenges

Entrepreneurial ecosystems often operate like a turbulent sea. Turkey's entrepreneurial ecosystem is witnessing changes in the game development area, one of the sectors experiencing this cycle. In recent years, especially the decline in the popularity of hypercasual games has drawn attention. The decline of hypercasual games in Turkey's entrepreneurial ecosystem has been shaped by a combination of various factors. First of all, market saturation plays a significant role in this decline. Over time, the release of many hypercasual games with similar mechanics has led to a decrease in player interest. This situation has resulted in increased competition and reduced uniqueness of the games.

Secondly, insufficient innovation and creativity is an important factor behind the decline of hypercasual games. Rapid production processes and simple mechanics can sometimes lead to a lack of depth and originality in games. As players seek richer experiences, such repetitive games can become boring.

Thirdly, the lack of quality and depth is another determining factor in the decline. Hypercasual games, often produced quickly, can offer a surface-level and limited gaming experience. As players' expectations rise, these kinds of superficial games can be easily abandoned.

Additionally, monetization issues are also one of the factors behind the decline. Ad-based revenue models can be off-putting for some players and can disrupt the gaming experience. 

Lastly, changes in platform policies are also a factor affecting the decline of hypercasual games. New requirements or restrictions from platforms can complicate the processes for developers to distribute their games and generate revenue.

When these factors come together, the decline of hypercasual games in Turkey's entrepreneurial ecosystem becomes understandable.

Tomorrow: Innovation and Transformation

The future of Turkey's gaming industry looks bright. Developers continue to attract attention with innovative mechanics, deep gaming experiences, and various revenue models and game concepts. The entrepreneurial ecosystem is maturing, and developers are gaining access to more support and resources. Local and international investors are showing interest in Turkish gaming projects. An increasing talent pool and improved infrastructure allow for the production of larger and higher-quality games. For Turkish game developers to have a greater voice on the international stage, it is possible for projects focusing on innovation and new technologies to rise and reshape the future of the sector.

As a result, if the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the gaming sector in Turkey overcomes today’s challenges after achieving yesterday's growth and recognition, it can move towards an even brighter future through innovation and international collaborations.