The Game Makers Building Change

The video game industry is one of those sectors facing exponential growth in the Middle East and North Africa region. Currently estimated at $1.8 billion, it is expected to hit $5 billion by 2025 with a rapidly growing young customer base. Iraq has featured heavily in video games internationally, usually those focused on war and conflict, unfortunately affirming negative stereotypes of the country to be consumed by global audiences. This external image of Iraq is being changed by a hub of game developers who want to create games, generate livelihoods, and tell their own stories.

We have covered how Iraqi culture and history is presented in games being produced by American and European studios, but often rely on orientalist stereotypes that do not necessarily reflect the historical accuracy or the Iraqi version of events or characters. As a result, local voices are ignored - so once again Iraqi history is represented by people that have never been, based on western sources or translations, or reimagining outdated cliches. Now there is a new community emerging in Baghdad, dedicated to change this and build a whole new creative sector full of storytelling, employment opportunities, and skill building.

Meet Abdulrahman Kareem and Abdulrahman Ahmed, established local entrepreneurs in Baghdad, who have established https://www.baghdadgamelab.com/. Launching in December 2022, they immediately set out to to build a community of like-minded individuals who loved developing games. Abdulrahman Kareem, BGL Project Manager, introduced the journey so far: "We first launched our global game jam activities and straight away we were over subscribed! We had more than 100 applicants but could only host 50 who began working on different genres of games, in which 14 were developed."

The importance of building a community was clear, as was outreach. Baghdad Game Lab is building a movement from scratch. "Aside from our activities, we have run outreach events. One of partners, The Station Foundation for Entrepreneurship, invited us to join their annual 'Ramadan Meet-ups' again emphasising the value of the games industry and the skills

development. We are already build partnerships with other organisations around the city, and abroad, to help develop the resources in which we can work." The team is currently developing their curriculum for new courses that will help build a pipeline of courses for creatives to develop their skills - from beginner to advanced. Through their community building, they continue to spot for talent to offer internships to those who are seeking to develop their career in the sector.

Right now, the Baghdad Game Lab community has finishes 35 games, with another 100 under development, testament to the commitment, creativity of the members! With such a diverse group of innovators in heir community, they have a wealth of stories and experience from which to draw from. Abdulrahman Ahmed, Director of BGL, highlights that this enables a great deal of opportunity to support social development in Iraq. "Games give the opportunity to explore key social issues in depth, helping to raise awareness to key issues such as climate change or heritage. We saw this with Earth Day as the focus of the Global Game Jam, as well as another event that focused on heritage which in turn helps understanding and breaks down barriers. Plus, its fun!"

"Heritage plays a huge role in the games being developed. We have seen a digital version of The Game of Ur being developed (SIDENOTE: CREATIVE IRAQ IS SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS!), a 'Temple Run' inspired game set in Babylon, as well as an AI connected puzzle game called The Gallery. We have also seen people create shooter games based on more tragic events in very recent history."

It is clear that youth seek inspiration in their past, despite limited access to sites, museums and, identity politics. Through the platform of gaming, they are able to tell their own stories and share them with the world. The skills are clearly there, and with the new training opportunities being made possible by Baghdad Game Lab, the sector shows potential for economic development. Yet such optimism must be framed in reality.

The Baghdad Game Lab is currently exploring the potential for a financially sustainable Games Development Sector in Iraq. "We need a Turkey moment!" Abdulrahman Ahmed explains, referring to the moment that one game became viral and caused an explosion of mobile game development across the country, in turn building an increased demand for digital skills. "The issue is that there is no publisher in Iraq right now, leaving us disconnected from the boom happening in Turkey, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. If someone came in, it would empower the entire sector." Finding a willing publisher to come in is the key - building connections with the sector in key countries such as the UK and US, will help to unlock new economic opportunity for a creative youth thirsty to put their talent to work. Creative Iraq will continue to advocate for this wherever we can, building that spark to truly highlight the potential of a creative economy even in challenging circumstances.

The disconnection between Iraq and the rest of the world once again limits the growth of new sectors, and traditional polices, projects, and antiquated approaches to creativity stymie its potential. Unleashed, not only would a new sector open up that is led by innovators, it will help those Iraqi creatives tell their own stories through games rather than foreign narratives.

Follow this innovative community as they continue to grow, tell new and exciting stories, and work towards building a digital creative economy that will empower the youth of Iraq! Check them out on Instagram @bgl.iq or their website:

https://www.baghdadgamelab.com/