Balkan Game Camp

Bilişim Vadisi

Balkan Game Camp, project number 2023-3-TR01-KA210-YOU-000184390, is an international youth initiative implemented with the support of the Turkish National Agency under the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. Organized in partnership with Bilişim Vadisi from Türkiye, Singidunum University from Serbia, and International Balkan University from North Macedonia, the project aims to foster knowledge and experience sharing in the field of game development, while enhancing the technical and entrepreneurial skills of young participants. Coordinated by Bilişim Vadisi and hosted by International Balkan University in Skopje, the project’s LTT event offered participants practical training, international teamwork opportunities, and direct engagement with the sector.

Training Content and Expert Sessions

Balkan Game Camp delivered a comprehensive training programme covering the technical, design-related, and commercial dimensions of game development. The opening speeches were delivered by Prof. Dr. Lütfi Sunar, Rector of International Balkan University, Erkam Tüzgen, General Manager of Bilişim Vadisi, and Emre Yıldız, Director of DIGIAGE. The speeches emphasized the growth potential of the gaming sector and the importance of international cooperation in fostering digital entrepreneurship.

Throughout the camp, a series of expert-led sessions were held by academics and industry professionals, covering the following topics:

Virtual Reality and the Gaming Industry

Prof. Laze Tripkov discussed the development and application areas of virtual reality technologies in the gaming sector.

Game Structure and Core Loops

Atakan Cankorur, co-founder of Arvis Games, shared technical insights on game mechanics and playability.

Character Design

Aleksandra Hadzi Naumova explored the role of character design in narrative and player interaction.

Editor Customization and Prototyping

Ahmet Erdoğan Akkulak, co-founder of Tape Corps, delivered hands-on content about customization in game engines and the prototyping process.

Gaming Ecosystem and Business Models

Prof. Andrijana Danevska provided an in-depth overview of entrepreneurship, investment, and business models within the gaming industry.

Career Opportunities

Rabia Nart, Ecosystem Development Specialist at DIGIAGE, and Ahmet Erdoğan Akkulak discussed job positions and career paths in the sector.

Participants were divided into multinational teams based on their areas of expertise and experience levels. During the camp, a total of 11 teams were formed, 6 of which successfully developed and presented game prototypes. Participants gained hands-on experience in technical development and international collaboration within project teams.

Balkan Game Camp not only helped participants acquire technical skills but also enhanced their entrepreneurial capacity, raised awareness of the gaming sector, and provided tangible outcomes in terms of regional cooperation. By transferring DIGIAGE’s expertise to Eastern Europe, the project created a sustainable learning and production environment for emerging developers in the region.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Turkish National Agency for its valuable support in making this initiative possible.

The content and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the official position of the European Commission or the Turkish National Agency.