Iran’s Gaming Industry Challenges
WANA (Feb 26) – The video game industry in Iran is considered one of the most dynamic and popular fields of technology. Despite challenges such as slow internet speeds, filtering, sanctions, and the high costs of gaming equipment, the industry has continued to grow, attracting a large number of enthusiasts.
The History of Video Games in Iran
Although the development of video games in Iran is relatively new, the industry’s presence in the country dates back more than four decades. Iranians became familiar with digital games in the early 1980s, but the production of the first domestic games lagged behind and adapted slowly to global technologies.
The Iranian Gaming Community
According to Isa Zarepour, Iran’s former Minister of Communications and Information Technology, there are currently more than 30 million Iranian gamers, some of whom are professionals. A report by Iran’s National Foundation of Computer Games states that some Iranian titles have been downloaded over 20 million times, and the average age of Iranian gamers has reached 23 years.
The video game industry in Iran is growing. Photo: Majid Asgaripour / WANA News Agency
Obstacles and Challenges of the Gaming Industry in Iran
Earning Difficulties for Gamers
One of the main ways for gamers to earn money is streaming, which takes place on domestic platforms like Aparat and international ones like Twitch and YouTube. However, due to sanctions, Iranians cannot monetize their content directly on YouTube and Twitch. As a result, many gamers have turned to local competitions or indirect methods to generate income.
Limitations for Game Developers
Video game developers also face numerous obstacles. Limited access to game engines and advanced tools, international sanctions on game publishing, and a lack of proper infrastructure are among the key challenges in this field. Additionally, the absence of international payment systems has made it difficult for Iranian game developers to generate revenue.
Reza Hakhamanesh, a master’s student in artificial intelligence and a member of a startup team developing a game, explains: “We reached out to relevant authorities to publish and register our game internationally, and we were ultimately advised to collaborate with intermediary companies in other countries, such as Turkey.”
He continued: “However, after further investigation, we realized that the game’s ownership would be registered under that company’s name, and we would only receive a small share of the revenue. These conditions discouraged us from pursuing international publishing, and we are still searching for a suitable publisher.”
The video game industry in Iran is growing. Photo Source: IRCG / WANA News Agency
Copyright Laws and Publishing Restrictions
Hakhamanesh, speaking about copyright laws in Iran, stated: “Copyright laws are not fully enforced. Many Iranian developers, due to legal and economic restrictions, resort to cloning foreign games, which is why most games are only released on domestic platforms.”
This issue itself may lead some countries to assume that Iran lacks game developers, whereas, in reality, it is the restrictions that have caused their exclusion. These challenges have driven some Iranian game developers to emigrate or leave the industry entirely. One example is the creators of the game Garshasp, who, after leaving Iran, established their own studio under the name Dead Mage.
Despite these difficulties, some Iranian developers have managed to succeed in international markets and circumvent these restrictions. According to studies, Iran ranks first in the region and 18th globally in the field of digital game research and development. Some successful Iranian games include 41148, Battle of Amerli, Engare, Missile Strike, and Garshasp.
Content Restrictions and Their Impact on Game Development
In Iran, aside from the previously mentioned challenges, there are also legal restrictions on game design. Not every topic is permitted for development, and Iranian marketplaces do not accept certain games.
The video game industry in Iran is growing. Source: AI / WANA News Agency
Additionally, games involving rewards or gambling are not approved. These restrictions, rooted in national laws, naturally influence audience preferences and, at the same time, limit developers’ freedom in choosing themes and writing scenarios.
Lack of Infrastructure and Financial Support
Reza Hakhamanesh, referring to the existing limitations, says: “We struggle with sanctions and filtering every day, facing pressure both internally and externally. Most game engines, as well as some software and hardware, are not available to Iranian users. Moreover, the necessary servers for domestic game developers are inaccessible, and many Iranian user accounts are blocked due to IP detection.”
A lack of proper investment and insufficient support for independent developers are also major obstacles in this industry. While developed countries provide financial backing for game developers, only limited resources are allocated to this sector in Iran. As a result, many domestic projects fail to achieve commercial success.
Opportunities and Future of the Gaming Industry in Iran
Nevertheless, the growing use of smartphones and the emergence of domestic platforms such as Café Bazaar and Myket have provided an opportunity for local developers to leverage this space for distributing and monetizing their games.
The video game industry in Iran is growing. Photo Source: IRCG / WANA News Agency
Hakhamanesh also pointed to new opportunities and Iran’s future prospects in the gaming industry, stating: “Knowledge, skills, and ideas— which are the most crucial elements for starting game development— are abundant among young Iranians active in this field, but they need support.”
He added: “The Chinese also did not have significant progress in this industry in the past, yet today, companies like Hoyoverse have captured a large share of the global market. This shows that if obstacles are removed, Iran can also succeed in this sector.”
The video game industry in Iran faces numerous challenges, including sanctions, infrastructural issues, and a lack of sufficient support. However, the widespread enthusiasm of young people and the creativity of local developers indicate that if legal and economic barriers are lifted, this industry has the potential to become a leading sector in technology.
Establishing the right infrastructure to support domestic game developers could foster the growth of this industry and strengthen Iran’s presence in global markets.
