Turkish Video Games Industry Report (PC) H1 2024
You can switch to the Turkish version of the report from here!
To better understand the situation of Turkish game developers who make games for PC platform in the first half and the last two quarters of 2024, we have prepared the Turkish Video Games industry report to provide a more organized perspective. The noticeable revival in the industry, especially over the past two years, seems to be reflected in productivity as well. One of the biggest contributors to this productivity boom is a large chunk of mobile game developers shifting into PC and indie game development.
While preparing this report, we tried to reach all Turkish-origin games we could find online, but we must mention that the numbers might be incomplete. We have many games listed as “coming soon” or “TBA” on our list, which we didn’t include in this report. For the source of this study, you can also refer to the Turkish PC & Console Games report we have previously shared and updated periodically.
If your game(s) are not on the list, or you find a wrong data, you can contribute to our live archive by writing to us eren@sifirping.com.
Game Releases, Genre and 2D-3D Distribution
According to our data, 44 games have been released so far, and 40 are confirmed to have a release date for 2024. Additionally, 26 games are tagged as “coming soon” and “TBA.” The number of releases has increased by 133% compared to last year, when we saw 36 game releases.
Genre Distribution in Turkish Video Games
The genre distribution within Turkish game development reflects a notable shift from the mobile industry. Of the 84 games analyzed, 15 are simulation games. This genre’s popularity aligns with current trends and appeals to casual gamers, much like mobile games do.
The genre breakdown is as follows:
- Simulation: 15
- Bullet Hell: 9
- Horror: 9
- Roguelike: 8
- Platformer: 7
- Adventure: 6
- FPS: 6
- Strategy: 5
- Other: 19
Genre Breakdown of Turkish Video Games
Another trend chaser genre, Bullet Hell games like Vampire Survivors, was second among popular genres. It’s no surprise that a genre that is easy to develop and offers high playtimes is a fan favorite among game developers. Horror games, a fan-favorite genre among Turkish developers, are still popular among game developers. The developers are more eager to discover new genres than before. There are many upcoming 2D titles from young developers, boosting the Turkish indie scene.
3D an 2D Distribution in Turkish Video Games
- 3D Games: 63
- 2D Games: 21
Despite their complexity, 3D games are the top choice for Turkish developers, particularly in the Simulation and Horror genres. Globally, indie developers often opt for 2D pixel art games due to their lower entry barriers. The focus on 3D in Turkish games may stem from the relatively undeveloped PC gaming industry and the developers’ inexperience. However, this emphasis on 3D presents a unique market opportunity, setting Turkish games apart from the global market.
That aside, there is an upcoming wave of Turkish games for the 2D market, such as Rise Achlys, Lost in Art: A Miniature Realm, Arcane Revolt, Shieldbound, Luctus, and much more.
Studio Sizes and Publishers in Turkish Video Games
Studio Sizes
The Turkish game industry is characterized by a mix of small and medium-sized studios, with a significant number of developers working in compact teams:
Smaller teams (2-4 members) are the most common, representing 32% of the studios. The presence of larger teams (20+ members) indicates the capacity for more ambitious projects, with the potential for complex, high-quality game development.
Publishing Practices
A significant trend in the Turkish game industry is the strong preference for self-publishing:
- Developers working with publishers: 21
- Self-published developers: 58
Team Size of Turkish Video Game Companies
Self-publishing is the dominant trend, with over 73% of developers choosing to release their games independently. It is observed that many developers are entering the market for experience rather than profitability. Additionally, many mobile developers are shifting to this area to add new projects to their portfolios. Furthermore, we see that global publishers such as Daedalic, Camlann, and PlayWay are also adding Turkish games to their portfolios.
The Turkish gaming industry faces significant challenges due to the scarcity of major publishers. Many local publishers have struggled and failed, particularly in the hyper-casual sector, and they often unrealistically expect the same rapid development pace for PC games. Additionally, the ongoing economic crisis in Turkiye makes it increasingly difficult for indie game developers to secure publishing support.In this context, global publishers can play a pivotal role in nurturing and expanding Turkiye’s gaming industry. Their involvement could provide the necessary support and resources to help local developers thrive.
Release Status
The release status of games shows an equal split between early access and full releases, each making up 50% of the total:
- Early Access: 22
- Full Releases: 22
The advantage of the early access model reflects a strategic approach to game development, allowing developers to engage with the community, gather feedback, and refine their games before the official release. This model helps build a loyal player base and ensures higher quality final products.
Additionally, for the reasons mentioned above, many developers do not focus on developing a lot of updates or content such as DLCs and expansion packs after releasing their games.
Quality of Turkish Video Games (Reviews)
Game Review Ratings
The ratings for Turkish games reflect varying degrees of reception:
- Mostly Negative: 1 game
- Mixed: 10 games
- Mostly Positive: 5 games
- Positive: 7 games
- Very Positive: 14 games
- Overwhelmingly Positive: 1 game
- Not enough reviews for scoring: 6 games
The predominance of positive to very positive ratings underscores the quality and appeal of Turkish games in the competitive market.
Game Review Numbers
Review volumes provide insight into player engagement and market reach:
- Less than 50 reviews: 23 games
- 50-250 reviews: 9 games
- 250-1000 reviews: 8 games
- 1000-5000 reviews: 2 games
- 5000+ reviews: 2 games
Review Count of Turkish Video Games
Excluding games with more than 1000 reviews, the average number of reviews per game for the Turkish video games released in 2024 is approximately 173. Which is very low. When we include Dice & Fold and New Cycle to the list, average range jumps to 307. Finally, when we include Anomaly Agent and Supermarket Simulator, the average goes up to 521. Games like “Anomaly Agent” and “Supermarket Simulator” stand out with exceptionally high numbers of reviews, indicating significant player engagement and popularity.
Games with the highest amount of reviews:
1- Supermarket Simulator: 42,897 reviews
2- Anomaly Agent: 6,155 reviews
3- New Cycle: 1549 Reviews
4- Dice & Fold: 1057 Reviews
These figures also indicate that these four games have generated six- and seven-digit gross revenues for their developers. Additionally, it is worth noting that three of these four games were self-published.
Marketing in Turkish Video Games
Language Support
The support for multiple languages in Turkish games indicates the developers’ intent to reach a diverse global audience:
- Single language support (including Turkish only): 9 games
- Bilingual support: 11 games
- Support for 3-10 languages: 21 games
- Support for 11-15 languages: 26 games
- Support for 16+ languages: 7 games
Language Support in Turkish Video Games
The broad language support, especially in games that support 11 or more languages, highlights the industry’s push toward internationalization and accessibility. In the second report, we will analyze in more detail which solutions and services these studios use for translations. So keep your eyes on our upcoming editions!
Pricing Strategy
The pricing of Turkish games varies by region, reflecting strategic market positioning:
- Average pricing in the U.S. region: $9.21
- Average pricing in the MENA region: $4.39
Lower pricing in the MENA region aims to make games more accessible to a broader audience, acknowledging the area’s varying economic conditions. By setting a lower price, Turkish developers can penetrate the market more effectively, increasing their user base and market share.
Price Range of Turkish Video Games
The highest-priced games:
1- New Cycle: $22.49
2- The Ancients, ContractVille: $19.99
3- Terra Randoma: $14.99
The pricing strategy in the Turkish game industry reveals a lot about its focus. Notably, there isn’t a single game priced above $25, indicating that every game from Turkey falls within the indie category. In comparison, double-A games typically start at $30 and can go up to $50. This price range underscores the industry’s orientation towards indie game development.
Titles like The Nightscarred: Forgotten Gods and Black State can change the landscape in the future. Success of these types of games will not only benefit them, but it will also push the Turkish Gaming industry forward.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
In the final analysis, one of the most prominent points in this report is the rapid increase in the number of globally successful games. The rise in the number of games exceeding sales of ten thousand units will not only boost the appetite and willingness of developers and investors economically but also signal to those considering entering this field that games with the right approach can follow an economically sustainable path.
The increasing variety of game genres and the eagerness of young developers to experiment with different trends is self-evident. With the emergence of games with global sales targets rather than just focusing on the domestic market, the growing interest on social media about PC/Console game development, and the increase in B2C and B2B events specific to games are seen as indicators of excitement in the industry’s growth.
With the arrival of the new year, we plan to publish a comprehensive year-end report that will include topics such as studio work structures, teams, revenue analyses, preferred game engines, translation processes, and marketing activities, aiming to contribute one of the most extensive reports to the industry. If you’d like to contribute to the report or assist us with feedback on areas where we may have fallen short, feel free to contact us!
See you soon, and happy gaming sessions with no disconnect! 
