Game Scenario Development Camp

The Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank stated that Türkiye has the potential to quickly adapt to next-generation technology, saying, “Thanks to the success we have obtained in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), there are requests from various nations to sell our UAVs and UCAVs to them. I previously stated that our UAVs and UCAVs would be visible in European skies soon. I believe we will make it in no time.”

Varank participated in the “Game Scenario Development Camp,” which was held online through a video conference by Bilişim Vadisi Digital Animation and Game Production Center (DIGIAGE).

Minister Varank congratulated the young people on the May 19th, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, in his speech.

Varank stated, “The crucial step of a game is to be able to put the notion into a scenario,” and continued:

“Making your vision a reality and communicating it to others necessitates technical expertise and equipment. With this in mind, we founded DIGIAGE within Bilişim Vadisi. With DIGIAGE, we hope to develop human resources who will provide innovative ideas, competitive scenarios, and excellent digital material, which have long been lacking in the movie, animation, and game sectors. Our fourth annual “Game Scenario Development” camp is a crucial step toward that goal.”

Varank noted that young people were extremely interested in the previous camps, and that investment space and equipment assistance were supplied to these camps, as well as the birth of many successful new ventures.

Noting that two established game studios operate in the international market and 27 studios operate in Bilişim Vadisi, Varank expressed “This year, roughly 1350 people applied to attend our event. Our participants are mostly high school and university students. We have over 100 knowledgeable volunteers. Participants in this three-day event will benefit from a 45-hour training program.”

Noting that this year’s camp theme is tied to the sea and maritime, Varank added, “The Barbaros series will be broadcast on TRT soon. After these lectures, we might see some Barbaros-themed games. I wish to encourage our youth. If we can create a Barbaros-themed game in Türkiye, it will sway global markets. As Barbaros swayed the Mediterranean.”

“THE DIGITAL GAMES INDUSTRY HAS REACHED 159 BILLION DOLLARS BY 2020.”

Varank, who noted that the camp’s material is fairly deep and intriguing, stated that a wide range of trainings would be presented, ranging from courses focused on producing playwrights to basic scriptwriting lessons required by the TV series industry.

Varank stated, “Cinema, TV shows, and digital playwrights will share their experiences,” and “People have begun to gravitate to digital video games in their homes during quarantine periods. The global digital game business, which was worth 70 billion dollars in 2012, is expected to be worth 159 billion dollars by 2020 as a result of the pandemic.”

Varank stated that the acquisition of Peak Games for $1.8 billion and Rollic Games for $168 million by the US game business Zynga is one of the most significant developments of 2020, stressing the Turkish game industry’s importance in the worldwide market.

Underlining that the exodus of the first Turcorn, a Turkish firm “with a valuation of more than a billion dollars,” from the game industry demonstrated the country’s potential in this field, Varank stated:

“The significant portion of venture capital and angel investments in the game business offers us hope for the sector’s future. Approximately 90% of the games made in Türkiye enter the global game market and are played by consumers all over the world. With a market share of almost 5%, our country leads the Middle East-Africa market in terms of economic size. We are ranked 18th in the global game market. Our country, with its large young population, is a significant market in and of itself. The number of players in Türkiye is expected to be 36 million by 2020, with a revenue of $880 million.”

Varank stated that they consider the ever-growing digital game industry as an opportunity for the country, but that being a game creator in the sector is also beneficial in terms of cultural contact.

A “GAMING ACADEMY” WILL BE CREATED

Noting that the sector provides an opportunity to communicate cultural and civilizational values to the world and youth, Varank stated “You are all familiar with the portrayal of Islam and Muslims in the global game and film industries. We can only modify this image through creative content created locally and nationally “said.
Varank added that they will soon implement the “Gaming Academy,” which will train qualified game developers with a multinational technology business, emphasizing the need of educating qualified human resources in this industry.

“With the training events, we provide to children in areas such as ‘Design and Production,’ ‘Robotics and Coding,’ ‘Electronic Programming,’ ‘Internet of Things,’ ‘Cyber Security,’ ‘Software Technologies,’ ‘Mobile Application,’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence,’ we are preparing them for the future,” Varank said, recalling that middle and high school students gain technologic skills through “Deneyap Technology Workshops.”

Varank stated that TUBITAK’s support and scholarship programs have transferred approximately TRY 73 million to 104 projects in the field of digital games and scriptwriting, asserting that they provide important infrastructure and resource support to entrepreneurs and researchers operating in the sector.

Varank stated that four projects in the fields of digital games and scriptwriting were eligible for funding through the European Union (EU) Framework Programs “We have given roughly TRY 85 million to the R&D and design centers of nine sector enterprises. To the present day, 230 enterprises functioning in our technological development zones have profited from a budget of TRY 1.4 billion.”

Varank stated that they will implement an important project within the scope of competitive sectors, and that they will support entrepreneurs and SMEs who will work in the field of game wearable technologies and new generation film production with a budget of TRY 55 million, after implementing four projects for the animation and game sector through development agencies.

A NEW SUPPORT PROGRAM WAS IMPLEMENTED FOR THE GAMING INDUSTRY

Varank stated that the Ministry established a new assistance program to lead the emergence of new turcorns from the gaming industry, noting, “We will identify the individuals with the potential to become turcorn and ensure that they open up to global markets with tailor-made support mechanisms.”

According to Varank, the purpose of the “2023 Industry and Technology Strategy” is to bring Türkiye to a higher league in essential technologies, and to be a country that leads the world in next-generation technologies rather than trailing them.

Varank emphasized Türkiye’s potential to quickly adapt to next-generation technology due to its young, active, and qualified human resources, saying:

“Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are one of the most concrete examples. We have become one of the countries that lead the technology in this industry by taking the correct actions at the appropriate time. Many foreign analysts regard our international triumph as a “game-changer.” Our current goal is to apply this knowledge to other areas of next-generation technology. Because of our success in UAVs, we have had requests from several countries to sell our UAVs and UCAVs to them. I previously stated that our UAVs and UCAVs would be visible in European skies soon. I believe we will realize this goal in no time.”

Varank stated that the roadmaps for mobility vehicles, smart life and health technologies, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and 5G, all of which offer significant opportunities for Türkiye, are nearing completion, and that Bilişim Vadisi has played a significant role in their realization.
Stating that they will continue to support young individuals and businesses in the gaming industry, Varank said:

“Believe in yourself and your country. Do not be afraid to dream and share your ideas. You are our future and the hope for our country. I hope that this camp will be a place where fresh projects and ideas can flourish. I am looking forward to enjoying your signature games in the future.”

“FAST DEVELOPING DYNAMIC SECTORS IN THE DIGITAL AND GAME WORLDS”

At an online meeting, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu expressed his hope that the camp will be useful to the youth.

Noting that young people are going forward with determination,” Kasapoğlu stated “Our Ministry, in collaboration with other ministries, is working hard to better prepare our youth for the future. The internet and gaming industries are both vibrant and fast evolving. It is critical that our youth take the lead in this dynamic immediately and forcefully. In this regard, our country possesses far greater power.”

DIGITAL GAME SCENARIO DEVELOPMENT CAMP

The Digital Game Scenario Development Camp, which included 60 hours of online training and conferences funded by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and TRT, will end on May 21.

The camp is open to playwrights and screenwriter candidates who are interested in the digital game industry and want to specialize in digital content preparation, as well as high school and university students who enjoy writing and want to enhance their skills.

Adults who create jobs for the game industry and want to learn about the position and how things function in the digital world will be able to participate in this community as students and volunteers.

At “www.digiage.com.tr,” you can apply to the camp, where many prominent cinema, TV series, and digital playwrights will share their experiences at conferences.