Turkiye’s gaming ecosystem is thriving, but can it win the long game?
Türkiye is experiencing a golden era in game development. Over the past few years, the country has become a launchpad for globally successful studios, thanks to a blend of entrepreneurial drive, venture capital momentum, and, most notably, extensive government support. The incentives are robust, the money is flowing, and the ambition is sky-high. But is this foundation enough to stay competitive, and to lead in the long run?
In addition to offering one of the most supportive ecosystems, Türkiye has established what may be the world’s most comprehensive incentive system for tech and gaming companies. Through programs such as Decree No. 5447 and E-Turquality, companies can receive substantial reimbursements for a wide range of expenses—including advertising, employee salaries, platform commissions, software licenses, and various tools.
With the assurance of reimbursement, companies are empowered to advertise more aggressively, invest in advanced tools like analytics software that they might not otherwise afford, and recruit the talent they need to develop more comprehensive and competitive games and products.
These initiatives are further reinforced by physical infrastructure. Teknoparks, or Technology Development Zones, provide tax-free environments where studios collaborate with universities and leverage government-backed R&D support to reduce overhead and accelerate development. For companies conducting research and innovation, Law No. 5746 and 4691 offers tax deductions, income tax exemptions for R&D personnel, and support for employer-side social security premiums.
This level of support allows developers to focus more on product development and user acquisition, a shift that has become especially important in today’s competitive market.
These incentives are some of Türkiye’s most underrated advantages in drawing tech and gaming companies. They don’t just cut costs, they lower the friction to grow. The scale and accessibility of public support create rare conditions: a playing field where ambitious ideas can afford to take risks, and where long-term innovation doesn’t get strangled by short-term constraints. Yet, still many companies aren’t tapping into these opportunities as deeply as they could.
Onur Olgun, Bopact Partners
Capital is No Longer the Problem
Five years ago, funding was one of the biggest hurdles facing early-stage gaming studios in Türkiye. That’s no longer the case. VCs like Laton Ventures and Ludus Ventures are now laser-focused on gaming, backing promising teams with speed and conviction. Newer firms, such as Leus, are going even further, offering UA-focused capital to help studios scale their games faster without giving up long-term equity.
startups.watch 31st March
The result is a new standard of early-stage funding. Studios no longer need to bootstrap through multiple MVP cycles. If a team shows promise and has a well-defined strategy, capital follows.
The Infrastructure Is in Place
What makes Türkiye’s current environment unique is that it’s not just about money, it’s about tools, knowledge, and systems. The country now hosts 12 gaming incubators and 21 accelerators, offering critical early-stage support and helping teams refine their business models, improve monetization strategies, and connect with key partners.
And it’s working. The country is producing more games, more startups, and more innovation than ever before.
Steam Fest Event: Land of the Crescent, Turkish PC games showcase
The Acquisition Question
As growth continues, so do exits. Recent acquisitions like Gleam Games and Paxie Games reflect a strong appetite from global players for Turkish talent and IP. While Rollic has opted to internalize its studio network under Zynga, broader consolidation across the ecosystem is yet to be seen.
Despite this wave of successful exits, there’s still no clear trend of Turkish companies acquiring their local peers. Such intra-market activity would signal ecosystem maturity and long-term value recycling—but for now, it remains a gap.
A Foundation Built, A Future to Shape
Türkiye’s gaming scene is no longer emerging, it’s established, fast-moving, and globally relevant. With strong financial infrastructure, state-backed incentives, and a generation of ambitious founders, the base is solid. But the real test lies in longevity and resilience.
Many studios today are banking on returns from their ad spend to fuel operations or serve as de facto funding. While this model can work in the short term, it’s risky and unsustainable for studios with tight cashflow or high burn rates. The industry will need to adopt more strategic capital management practices as it matures.
While the ecosystem is growing rapidly, there’s another layer to this story, one that involves the people behind the games. For a deeper look at how talent dynamics may shape the next chapter of Türkiye’s gaming future, see our follow-up article.
