On 6 February 2023, two catastrophic and destructive earthquakes, a rarity in geologic history, struck southern and central Türkiye and caused tens of thousands of casualties and injuries. Humanity has once again prevailed, and help from all around the world rushed into the disaster zone to help with search and rescue efforts.
To alleviate the pain of the process, not only individuals but also industry organizations, business world formations, chambers of industry, and all kinds of communities are asking the same question, “How can we help?”.
The game industry is one of these industries. Mobidictum hosted an online meeting where the stakeholders in the game industry came together and sought out an answer to this question. The meeting was broadcast on the Mobidictum YouTube channel. You can find the video of the entire discussion here.
“Game Industry Solidarity Broadcast After Earthquake” had guests and speakers, some of whom were survivors of the earthquake or joined the search and rescue efforts. The meeting, where it was discussed how the game industry could contribute to healing the wounds of the people living in the region after the disaster, lasted about two hours.
The agenda of the meeting focused on four main topics were:
- Education
- Psychological support
- Financial support
- Employment and Labor
One of the topics that the participants frequently emphasized was that funding was needed to make the relief efforts beneficial and sustainable in the long run. A more important issue was what could be done so that children could overcome the traumas caused by the disaster and gain awareness of earthquakes.
Participants in the first episode of the live broadcast were:
- Emre Yıldız – Digiage Board Member
- Mesut Numanoğlu – Mentor
- Emek Barış Kepenek – TOGED Secretary-General
- Simay Dinç – Women in Games Türkiye, Founder
- Güven Çatak – Bug Lab Kurucu, Director
- Tansu Kendirli – Oyunder Board Member
- Veysi İşler – The Game Circle, Founder
In addition to providing professional psychological support, it was discussed how to help earthquake victims by using the healing power of games. Precautions to be taken against earthquakes and teaching children what can be done to increase the probability of surviving during and after the earthquake were also discussed as an idea for an educational game.
At the meeting, the initiative of Apps to provide financial support to those affected by the earthquake was cited as an example. It was discussed that similar studies could be increased. Apps had launched a campaign that allows the advertisements shown in mobile applications and games to be changed for donation purposes.
Notes from the statements of the game industry stakeholders
CreatorFront’s Chief Creator Officer, Tunay Koluaçık, talked about CreatorFront, an initiative that offers a comprehensive platform and support for creators in the digital age. He explained that their goal is to protect human rights in the digital age and create a better, just, and equal future for all creators. As CreatorFront, the company desires to coordinate with authorities on the projects required in the earthquake zone and direct them to the necessary places.
Business Development Manager, Umut Ersaraç, participated in the broadcast and talked about what AWS for Games has done since the disaster’s first moments, as the company created a website for donations. Monetary and technical support was provided to more than 20 non-governmental organizations. Ersaraç also announced that they had prepared support packages for regional game studios.
RotateLab CEO Abdurrahman Koçak stated that they are ready to provide vocational training to facilitate the employment of disaster victims. He emphasized the necessity of establishing a container city to meet the sheltering needs of earthquake victims.
Koçak also noted that they are collaborating with universities on the subject and are ready to do more in educational support. He also emphasized that RotateLab wishes to stay in the region and does not consider leaving it because of the disaster.
Buğra Çetiner joined the broadcast on behalf of Play for Turkey and talked about their work under two main projects. The first project was transferring the donations to be collected under the “Charity Game Bundle” to a designated non-governmental organization, as all game developers who want to help the region are invited to participate.
Play for Turkey also focuses on increasing awareness of the needs in the region on a global scale. The organization has a Discord group that includes many academics and students. Emphasizing that the effects of the earthquake will last for many years, Play for Turkey also stressed the importance of making announcements on social media channels as the second phase of aid projects take shape.
Founder of Women in Games Turkiye, Simay Dinç, highlighted that she wanted to donate in-game advertising revenues. She also announced that they would organize a workshop on March 8 and a hackathon on March 11-12 to develop educational games for children, adolescents, and earthquake survivors.
Co-Founder of Suji Games, İbrahim Kaya, pointed out the need for earthquake victims to have a regular income. He proposed the establishment of a fund for the creation of financial resources. Kaya also emphasized the importance of communication to ensure the sustainability of aid and support and suggested establishing a platform or communication network where the game industry can communicate in this context.
Senior Game Recruiter Simay Sofu, who participated in the broadcast on behalf of Zindhu HR, stated that they have already started supporting the job search of people evacuated to Istanbul and other provinces. They also emphasized that their plans include visits to people who need internet access in the region to figure out the problems directly.
