Behind Turkey’s Gaming Unicorn Factory: How Istanbul Became a Global Hub

Turkey has emerged as the latest “Unicorn Factory” of the Middle East and Africa, with Istanbul now hosting one of Europe’s densest clusters of gaming studios. Backed by government incentives, technoparks, and a strong talent pipeline, Turkey ranks among the top five global producers of mobile games, particularly in hyper-casual titles.

From Peak Games’ $1.8B Zynga acquisition to the meteoric rise of Dream Games, Spyke Games, Loop Games, Manc Games, and Ace Games, Turkish studios are attracting global venture capital and scaling worldwide hits. With 38% of the population identifying as gamers, and institutions like TESFED formalizing eSports, Turkey’s ecosystem is thriving.

Download the MEA Gaming Review 2025 to explore Turkey’s unicorns, rising stars, and the broader gaming surge across the Middle East and Africa.