The Turkish mobile gaming industry is booming.
We hear everywhere. How about taking a closer look?
Turkish Mobile Gaming Scene
As Shakespeare says: Hypercasual or Match-3? That’s the question.
You’re right, both! However, the Golden Era of Hypercasual games has passed.
Despite global challenges, many big studios are now focusing on long-term game projects.
Rollic exemplifies the transition with its Casual Puzzle games, Mayor Match and Seat Away.
Data Corner: Mobile Gaming in Türkiye
The pandemic boosted Mobile, with daily time spent rising from 3.2 hours in 2019 to 4.3 hours in 2020 and holding steady.
81% of Turkish adults reported playing at least one mobile game. Also a highly engaged bunch, with 41% of them playing more than ten hours a day.
According to Newzoo, the Turkish mobile gaming industry has surged, fueled by a young population, widespread smartphone use, and improved internet access.
As of 2022, over 75% of the Turkish population owned a smartphone, with 68.7 million mobile internet users.
In 2023, over 42 million gamers in Türkiye generated $1.2b annually, reflecting a 15% yearly growth rate.
Statista projects that in 2024, the revenue in the Turkish mobile games market will reach $356M. The revenue is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.7%, to $444M by 2027.
The number of users in the mobile games market is forecasted to reach 23M by 2027, with user penetration expected to rise from 23.8% in 2024 to 26.2% by 2027.
Adjust highlights that Türkiye’s mobile market is expanding rapidly, with revenues skyrocketing from $1.39b in 2022 to an expected $2.18b in 2027.
Despite global challenges in the mobile games sector in 2023, Türkiye experienced a year-on-year rise in installs and sessions.
Mobile gaming installs surged 74% above the 2023 daily average on February 12th and 41% on December 31st, highlighting a key opportunity for year-end marketers.
Leaderboard 🇹🇷
- Match-3: Peak, Dream Games, Spyke Games
- Puzzle: Fugo, Paxie, Fomo, Loop, Ace Games, Matchingham
- Hypercasual: Rollic, Panteon, Apps, MagicLab, Ruby, Alictus
- Simulator, Racing: Zuuks, Spektra, Sir Studios, HyperMonk
- Social Casino: Fortune Mine, RestPlay
- Shooter: Vertigo Games
- Sports: Masomo
Global Recognition
Peak and Dream Games are in the Global Top 20.
Data: AppMagic
Match-3 Champion: Dream Games 👑
Stealing the crown from the King wasn’t easy, right?
Top Turkish Mobile Gaming Studios: July’24
Clear Message from Dream & Peak: Revenues > Downloads 💰
Hypercasual Leaders: July’24
Hypercasual isn’t dead, FYI 👾
Top Trendings
One of my hobbies is to check Top Trendings every week.
Government Support
Government incentives, such as tax exemptions and marketing reimbursements, attract major global game publishers to partner with Turkish studios or open local offices.
Developers and designers benefit from exemptions on capital gains and certain income taxes.
Also subsidizing up to 50% (€50K) of salaries for 2 developers and reimburses up to 50% (€100K Cap) of App Store fees.
Read more by Tugbek Olek, the Head of the Advisory Board of the Digital Game Developers Association: Turkish Game Studios Enjoy Tax Exemption
Investment Scene
The investment scene is vibrant, with the industry experiencing remarkable growth. High-profile successes include multi-billion-dollar startups like Peak ($1.8b Exit) and Dream Games ($2.75b Valuation), and substantial seed investments such as Spyke Games’ $55M and $50M rounds.
Data: InvestGame
Investments in Turkish Mobile Gaming Industry: Q1 2020 to Q2 2024
| Year | Quarter | Company | Investor | Size $M | Acquired % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Q3’20 | Peak | Zynga, Take-Two | 2082 | 100.00% |
| 2020 | Q4’20 | Rollic | Zynga, Take-Two | 180 | 80.00% |
| 2020 | Q4’20 | Onnect | Zynga, Take-Two | 6 | 100.00% |
| 2021 | Q2’21 | Uncosoft | Zynga, Take-Two | – | 100.00% |
| 2021 | Q3’21 | Publishme | Nazara Technologies | – | – |
| 2021 | Q3’21 | Ruby Games | Rovio | – | 100.00% |
| 2021 | Q4’21 | Creasaur Entertainment | Rollic, Zynga, Take-Two | – | 100.00% |
| 2021 | Q4’21 | Zerosum | Rollic, Zynga, Take-Two | – | 100.00% |
| 2021 | Q4’21 | ByteTyper | Rollic, Zynga, Take-Two | – | 100.00% |
| 2022 | Q1’22 | Alictus | SciPlay Corporation | 300 | 100.00% |
| 2022 | Q3’22 | UDO Games | Talewords | – | 100.00% |
| 2022 | Q4’22 | Flank Esports | FUT Ventures | – | 100.00% |
| 2022 | Q4’22 | Ace Games | Playtika Holding | 25 | – |
| 2023 | Q1’23 | Mergedom (Bigger Games’ IP) | Original Games | – | 100.00% |
| 2024 | Q1’24 | UAHero | TapNation | – | 100.00% |
More?
- Dream Raises $155M at $1B Valuation
- Dream Games Valued at $2.75B
- Dream Games Raises $50M
- Loop Games Raises $60M
- Spyke Games Raises $55M
- Spyke Games Raises $50M
- Studio Manc Raises $50M
- Ace Games Secures $8M
- Paxie Games Attracts $3M
- Libra Softworks Brings in $30M
- Spektra Games Receives $1.25M
- Teknasyon Funds Panteon With $10M
- Grand Games Raises $3M in Pre-Seed
- Magic Games Raises $5M in Seed Funding
- Fomo Games Raises $5M at $50M Valuation
- Fortune Mine Games Closes $2M Seed Round
- Imaginite Studios Budgets $50M for Soft Launch
Top Creatives by Turkish Publishers
- Royal Match by Dream Games
- Match Factory by Peak
- Screw Jam by Rollic
Top Performing Creatives in the Turkish Market
- My Perfect Shop by Sunday
- Going Balls by Supersonic
- Flashback by Radiant Cat
Conclusion
The Turkish mobile gaming industry stands as a beacon of growth and innovation.
From Match-3 giants like Peak and Dream Games to the diverse array of genres explored by other studios, Türkiye has solidified its place on the global stage.
The support from the government, with incentives and tax exemptions, has further catalyzed this growth, attracting major global publishers.
Investments have poured into the sector, with impressive valuations and high-profile acquisitions showcasing the industry’s potential. The remarkable increase in mobile gaming activity, coupled with rising revenues and user engagement, underscores the industry’s resilience and adaptability in the face of global challenges.
As we look to the future, the Turkish mobile gaming industry is poised for continued expansion.
With projections indicating significant revenue growth and an increasing number of users, the industry is set to reach new heights. For stakeholders, from developers to investors, the Turkish mobile gaming scene presents a landscape ripe with opportunities and promise.
In essence, Türkiye’s mobile gaming industry is not just booming; it is setting new benchmarks for success, innovation, and global recognition.
