Iran Computer and Video Games Foundation

Iran computer and video games foundation (AKA Iran National Foundation of Computer Games or shortly IRCG) is a non-profit organization established by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance[1] in 2007 to control and support video game industry in Iran.

Iran National Foundation of Computer Games
FormationJanuary 1, 2007 (2007-01-01)
TypeNon-profit organization
Location
Area served
Iran
Parent organization
Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
Websitewww.IRCG.ir

Iran computer and video games foundation is responsible for publishing and releasing any kind of video games (including PC games and mobile games), supporting local game manufacturers, instructing students in video game development and organize, control and monitor the activities of LAN gaming centers in Iran.[2]

The IRCG is also responsible for banning foreign video games that are not compatible with Iran's governmental political views and filtering video game's websites that they might not meet the governmental rules of Iran.[3][4] [5]

The main objective of the Iran Computer and Video games Foundation is to plan for and support the cultural, artistic, technical and business activities in the Iranian game industry. also by creating competition opportunities in scientific, technical, cultural and artistic aspects of game development it will help improving the quality of the industry.[6][7][8][9]

The main ِDuties of Iran computer and video games foundation

The main objectives of Iran computer and video games foundation are:

  • Supporting game development in Iran[10][11][12][13]
  • Enhancing computer/video games knowledge in Iran[14][15][16][17]
  • Establishing and supporting the first Games Education Institute[18] and designing scientific and academic framework to educate a new generation of game designers, developers and artists in Iran.[19][20]
  • Holding festivals and exhibitions in order to increase the enthusiasm in gaming and form communities with active members.[21][22][23]
  • Attending regional and international exhibitions and presenting the achievements of Iranian video games.[24][25][26][27][28]
  • Content Rating for computer/Video games.[29][30][31][32]
  • Governing and helping video game sales in the Iran market.[33][34][35][36][37]

Video Game Content Rating, ESRA

In 2007 Iran computer and video games foundation established Entertainment Software Rating Association which now is responsible for video game content rating in Iran.[38] The Entertainment Software Rating Association (ESRA)[39][40][41] is an organization that assigns age and content ratings for computer/video games. It was established by Iran National Foundation of Computer Games in 2007.One of the most important reasons of the observed necessity for ESRA principle is the lack of a proper pattern of use for computer games and the negative physical and mental effects of computer games caused by misuse and the concern of parents regarding such issues due to their lack of information about the improper and inappropriate content of such games.[42][43]

Iran National Game Development Institute

Iran Game Development Institute which is game development school was found by Iran computer and video games foundation in 2010, for the purpose of training specialized video game designers and developers in various fields of expertise related to the video game development industry.

The National Game development Institute is founded by Iran Computer & Video Games Foundation for the purpose of training specialized human resources in various fields of expertise related to the game development industry. The National Game Development Institute mission is to train game developers.[19][20][44][45]

Notable Institute Projects
Name Award
Blue Waters Best Strategic game of the year- 4th Tehran Game Festival
Bloody Streets Released on Steam, Best indie game of the year- 3rd Tehran Game Festival
Hate the sin, Love the sinners Best Selected Project at Game Connection Asia 2013[46][47]
Granny and Grim Best indie game of the year- 1st Tehran Indie Game Festival
Rolling Lazies

Festivals and Exhibitions

Iran computer and video games foundation have held its first exhibition and festival at 2011. these festivals and exhibitions held in order to grow gaming industry of Iran and form elite game developing communities with active members. Exhibitions happened in different parts included: first three exhibition and festivals held together and from a fourth festival, they held separately.

  • Game and Family
  • Entertainment Area
  • Business to Consumer Area
  • Workshops
  • Students
  • Game and Technology
    The Official Poster of Fifth Tehran Video Game Festival
Iran Game Exhibitions 2011–2013
Title Date Location Poster
1st Tehran Game Exhibition August 17–21, 2011 Tehran, Milad Tower
2nd Tehran Game Exhibition August 13–17, 2012 Tehran, Imam Khomeini Mosalla
3rd Tehran Game Exhibition August 13–17, 2013 Tehran, Imam Khomeini Mosalla
Tehran game Festivals 2011–2015
Title Date
1st Tehran Game Festival August 17–21, 2011
2nd Tehran Game Festival August 13–17, 2012
3rd Tehran Game Festival August 13–17, 2013
4th Tehran Game Festival September 2 – October 2, 2014
5th Tehran Game Festival MAY 20- August 20, 2015

Events, Workshops and Announcements
The Official Poster of "LevelUp" video game making event
Name of the Event Date
Kashan GDC Apr-13
Persian Gold Game Development Jun-13
Global Game Jam Jan-13
Kashan GDC Apr-14
Ludum Dare 30 Aug-14
NES Jam Nov-14
Ludum Dare 31 Nov-14
Global Game Jam Jan-15
Tehran Indie Game Festival Feb-15

Announcements and Presenting New Video Games
  • Announcement Ceremony for "Garshasp The Monster Slayer"
  • Announcement Ceremony for "E.T. Armies" Video Game
  • Announcement Ceremony for "Mirmahna", Iran National Video Game
  • Announcement Ceremony for "Volleyball 2016" First Iranian Volleyball Video game[48]

References
  1. Mark J. P. Wolf, Toru Iwatani (2015-05-22). Video Games Around the World. MIT Press. p. 277. ISBN 978-0262328494.
  2. "Iran's National Foundation of Computer Games to Organize Game Centers – Herald Boy". www.heraldboy.com. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  3. "Iran plans to block websites offering "1979 Revolution"". 2016-04-17. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  4. "Acclaimed PC game banned in Iran due to "hostile intentions"". 2016-06-09. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  5. "Iran Bans Video Game Based On Revolution". Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  6. Lewis, Danny. "Inside Iran's Budding Video Game Industry". Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  7. Azali, MohammadReza (2016-02-21). "The First National Conference on Computer Games in Iran". Techrasa. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  8. "Iran's video-gaming industry poised for action – Africa M.E." 2016-04-02. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  9. Šisler, Vit (2013-01-01). "Video Game Development in the Middle East: Iran, the Arab World, and Beyond". In Huntemann, Nina B.; Aslinger, Ben (eds.). Gaming Globally. Critical Media Studies. Palgrave Macmillan US. pp. 251–271. doi:10.1057/9781137006332_18. ISBN 978-1-349-43501-2.
  10. "Top Rank in Mideast Video Game Production". Financial Tribune Daily. 2014-11-16. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
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  15. "Iran national foundation of computer games News, Videos, Reviews and Gossip – Kotaku". Kotaku. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  16. "Iran tries to crack games market". BBC. 2009-08-20. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
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  19. "Game Jam at FUM in Sept". Financial Tribune Daily. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  20. "Class of 2016 | Moody College of Communication". Moody College of Communication. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  21. Lien, Tracey (2012-10-25). "The stressful life of Middle Eastern game developers and reality of their craft". Polygon. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
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  38. "About ESRA - IRCG official website". Archived from the original on 2016-07-26. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  39. http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/a-new-rating-system-for-video-games-based-on-islamic-values-endorsed-today-in-dubai/0149987
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  48. "'Volleyball 2016' brings sport to world of video games". 2016-06-05. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
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