According to a recent report by InvestGame, Türkiye has solidified its position as a key player in the global mobile gaming industry. With over $4 billion in investments across more than 150 deals, the country has become an important hub for gaming innovation. Istanbul, in particular, has emerged as a strategic center for developers, investors, and gaming entrepreneurs. This growth has been driven by successful companies such as Peak Games, Gram Games, and Rollic, which have played a crucial role in shaping the industry. Their achievements in casual and hyper-casual gaming have not only demonstrated Türkiye’s market potential but have also encouraged increased investor interest. In this article, we summarize the data from InvestGame and unpack the reasons behind the region's growth. 

Recent Report by InvestGame

Data from InvestGame

Several gaming companies have been at the forefront of Türkiye’s rise in the gaming sector. Peak Games was among the first to attract global attention when it divested its card gaming business to Zynga in 2017. This deal laid the foundation for further investments and acquisitions. Gram Games followed a similar path with its $250 million acquisition by Zynga, while Masomo was acquired by Miniclip for an estimated $200 million. These exits signaled Türkiye’s growing influence in the industry and created a ripple effect that spurred additional entrepreneurship and investment.

The most significant milestone came in 2020 when Zynga acquired Peak Games for approximately $2 billion. This high-profile deal, completed at an estimated 3x enterprise value-to-revenue multiple, reinforced confidence in the region’s potential. Following this acquisition, a new wave of entrepreneurship emerged, with more than 80 startups founded by former Peak employees. Nearly half of these companies continued operating within the gaming sector, further strengthening Türkiye’s gaming ecosystem.

Cumulative Values Over 2020-2025

The Impact of Investment and Market Growth

Türkiye’s gaming industry has experienced rapid expansion, supported by both local and international investors. Venture capital firms such as Hummingbird Ventures and Earlybird Venture Capital were early backers of the market, recognizing the country’s potential as a growing gaming hub. By 2020, Türkiye was no longer seen as an emerging market but as a fully developed and competitive gaming industry.

One of the most notable recent developments has been the rise of Dream Games. The company has attracted significant investment, including a $255 million Series C funding round in January 2022, which brought its valuation to $2.75 billion. Reports also suggest that Dream Games may be in the process of raising an additional $2.5 billion through a combination of equity and debt financing. If completed, this would mark one of the largest gaming fundraisings in history, further cementing Türkiye’s role in shaping the global gaming industry.

M and A Deals Between 2020-2025

Final Thoughts

Türkiye’s journey in the gaming sector began in the early 2000s when developers focused on creating games for Symbian and Java devices. Early companies such as Sobee played an essential role in building the foundation for the industry. The 2010s marked a period of significant progress, with the success of multiplayer online games like Sanalika highlighting the potential for local development.

By 2021, the Turkish gaming industry had reached an estimated market size of $1.2 billion, with mobile games contributing nearly half of the total revenue. The number of gamers in the country grew from 36 million in 2020 to 41 million in 2021, reflecting increasing engagement in the sector. As the industry continues to evolve, Türkiye is expected to remain a critical player in the global gaming landscape.

Source: InvestGame