Welcome to the second in a sequence of profile options and interviews uncovering the alternatives and challenges of the Center East and North African video games market. This week we’ve spoken with Joseph Azzam, co-founder of Arabic Video games and Evangelist at Epic Video games in Lebanon.
In November, the Pocket Gamer Connects convention will return to Jordan, and this offers us a wonderful alternative to dive into the area’s potential. Western markets appeared to thrive throughout the pandemic however sluggish within the months following. However the MENA market stays the quickest rising scene in video games and the area anticipates a lift in its participant base of over 8.2% this 12 months.
Azzam is at present making ready for the Arabic Video games Convention which additionally takes place in November.v“Gamescom was my first occasion after the pandemic. I used to be a bit sceptical about whether or not occasions would nonetheless be common after the pandemic,” he tells us. “However very shortly after arriving, I noticed how a lot I missed going to bodily occasions, catching up with some previous acquaintances, making new ones, and exchanging information.”
PocketGamer.biz: What’s your background within the video games business?
Joseph Azzam: I am from Lebanon, and I come from a tech artist background that I gained working alone VR sport.
I used to show Unreal at Saint Joseph College, and I was a neighborhood organizer at LebGameDev.
I’m grateful to have labored on technical initiatives that saved pushing my abilities ahead
Joseph Azzam, Arabic Video games
Ultimately, I joined Epic Video games as an Evangelist, and I’ve been doing that for the final 4 years. I am additionally the co-founder of Arabic Video games, an initiative that goals to develop the sport dev ecosystem within the SWANA [South West Asian and North African] area.
What’s the factor you’re most happy with doing in your time with Epic Video games?
Working in a crew of extremely sensible multitalented people who I belief and continue to learn from. I’m grateful to have gotten the chance to work on technical initiatives that saved pushing my abilities ahead, just like the VFX military scene I did some time again. I’m additionally grateful to have been in a position to journey across the SWANA area and go to studios and work on initiatives that may assist them.
What’s the subsequent factor in your to-do listing?
Proper now, I’m engaged on the Arabic Video games Convention which seeks to assist the SWANA sport dev neighborhood prosper, by facilitating entry to academic sources, skilled recommendation, publishing alternatives, jobs, and extra, all whereas highlighting the most effective work this neighborhood has to supply.
Such initiatives are wanted, however it’s not sufficient. There’s a lot we are able to do to push the scene ahead and assist communities. That is why we registered the initiative as an NGO, and we’re at present planning a web-based college in Arabic devoted to the sport improvement area. The crew has been working exhausting on that, and we’re excited to launch it subsequent 12 months.
The success of PUBG and Fortnite modified the angle of the area in direction of video games
Joseph Azzam, Arabic Video games
One other mission I’ve began is my very own consultancy firm that provides to assist corporations associated to gaming and real-time know-how navigate and broaden within the SWANA area.
What makes the area distinctive in relation to gaming?
The SWANA area has one of many highest youth populations. It additionally has a large participant base, but a small market share in comparison with the remainder of the world. There’s monumental room for the sport business to develop in a much less saturated market.
It appears the area is rising quick in video games. When and the way did video games change into such a spotlight for companies there?
I can’t inform for certain, however in my view, the success of PUBG and Fortnite modified the angle of the area in direction of video games. Earlier than that, it was very exhausting to elucidate video games to non-gamers. However now, even my mother, who is aware of nothing about know-how, had heard of Fortnite. Buddies that swore they might by no means play a sport had PUBG on their telephones, and instantly everybody needed to spend money on video games. In fact, that was not the one issue, however it did speed up issues.
Then got here the pandemic, and the sport business was the least affected by that, which bolstered the case for video games.
With the rise of esports, and the area having a large gamer inhabitants, there has additionally been a give attention to balancing the ratio between shopper/maker, which is why we’re seeing governments displaying curiosity on this area.
What recommendation do you will have for builders from Lebanon, Jordan and the Center East trying to develop their affect in the remainder of the world?
I began making video games in a sport jam with many first-timer college students that hardly knew something about sport improvement. There was barely an lively sport improvement scene in Lebanon, and we had no concept if we might ever make it into the business, however we saved going.
My expertise has been constructive and I’m trying ahead to connecting with native builders and studios
Joseph Azzam, Arabic Video games
At present after a few years, many people are actually working in established corporations, with a ton of expertise to again us up, and we’re unfold all around the world.
My recommendation is that issues are exhausting, however there’s a good probability you can also make it when you maintain enhancing your abilities, and you’re employed in your presence whether or not it’s on-line or by attending occasions. Additionally, you’re prone to really feel like an impostor, however simply maintain going.
There’s been quite a lot of speak in regards to the metaverse, NFTs, web3… Are you investigating these phenomena?
There is a vast hole between players who’re actually into it and people who hate it. I don’t assume I’m the most effective particular person to touch upon this; all I can say till these change into extensively adopted and controlled, they need to be handled as very excessive danger.
What excites you most in regards to the return of Pocket Gamer Connects in November?
Pocket Gamer is among the few occasions within the area associated to sport improvement, and I’m all the time excited to attend occasions specializing in the SWANA area. My expertise has been fairly constructive previously, and I’m principally trying ahead to connecting with the native builders and studios.
Tickets are on sale for Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan proper now, so to satisfy specialists from the area and past, register now: tickets can be found at Early Hen charges.
The convention will happen close to Amman, subsequent to the Useless Sea. It is going to characteristic a variety of themed tracks, plus alternatives to community with some 750 video games business insiders, and most of the attendees will take the prospect to go to areas like Petra. You’ll be able to learn our earlier MENA area interview right here, with Nour Khrais.
