DIGIAGE game development camp transforms gamers into entrepreneurs

ANKARA / IZMIR, Türkiye

The Digital Animation and Game Clustering Center (DIGIAGE), part of Türkiye’s Informatics Valley, is empowering young entrepreneurs in the gaming industry by connecting them with support networks and early-stage investment.

DIGIAGE held its first game development camp in Izmir, bringing together 250 young developers from 24 provinces.

The camp, now in its 9th edition overall, featured presentations from successful alumni, inspiring the next generation of creators.

DIGIAGE Director Emre Yildiz told Anadolu that the initiative received over 800 applications from more than 40 provinces this year, with 50 teams selected to join.

“Our goal is to provide early-stage investments of $30,000 to $50,000 for six studios ready to publish their games,” he said.

He noted that DIGIAGE was Türkiye’s most active early-stage game investment fund last year.

The new DIGIAGE 2.1 model, which was introduced in Izmir for the first time, includes publishing support through its Steam account in addition to investment.

DIGIAGE currently supports over 50 firms with more than 200 games developed across its Istanbul, Gebze, and Izmir campuses, employing over 400 people.

The brand has also expanded abroad, organizing two camps in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku and planning future events in Skopje, Macedonia's capital, and Jordan.

Several notable games have emerged from DIGIAGE, including “Market Simulator,” with over $40 million in revenue; RedEx, which surpassed $3.5 million; and Sodaman, a game nearing $50,000 in sales.

Global attention for soda-powered superhero game

Arif Can Ucer, co-founder of Tape Corps, said his journey began with DIGIAGE during university.

His team joined the camp in 2022 and later returned with a prototype of Sodaman, receiving a $50,000 investment at a $1 million valuation.

“Sodaman is a super soldier who gains strength from fizzy drinks,” he explained. “It started from my love for mineral water. In the game, the hero fights an alien invasion using the power of soda.”

Released in early access, the game sold nearly 12,000 copies within its first two months, with most players based in China and the US.

Ucer noted strong engagement from Turkish players, who make up about 10% of the user base and contribute valuable feedback.

The DIGIAGE Game Development Camp 2025 at Izmir Informatics Valley will conclude on April 18.