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 provides us a superb alternative to dive into the area’s potential. Western markets appeared to thrive in the course of the pandemic however gradual 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 standard after the pandemic,” he tells us. “However very shortly after arriving, I spotted how a lot I missed going to bodily occasions, catching up with some previous acquaintances, making new ones, and exchanging data.”
PocketGamer.biz: What’s your background within the video games trade?
Joseph Azzam: I am from Lebanon, and I come from a tech artist background that I gained working alone VR recreation.
I used to show Unreal at Saint Joseph College, and I was a group organizer at LebGameDev.
I’m grateful to have labored on technical tasks that saved pushing my expertise 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 pleased with doing in your time with Epic Video games?
Working in a workforce of extremely good multitalented those that I belief and continue learning from. I’m grateful to have gotten the chance to work on technical tasks that saved pushing my expertise ahead, just like the VFX military scene I did some time again. I’m additionally grateful to have been capable of 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 record?
Proper now, I’m engaged on the Arabic Video games Convention which seeks to assist the SWANA recreation dev group prosper, by facilitating entry to academic assets, skilled recommendation, publishing alternatives, jobs, and extra, all whereas highlighting one of the best work this group has to supply.
Such initiatives are wanted, however it’s not sufficient. There may be a lot we will 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 an internet college in Arabic devoted to the sport growth area. The workforce has been working laborious on that, and we’re excited to launch it subsequent 12 months.
The success of PUBG and Fortnite modified the attitude of the area in the direction of video games
Joseph Azzam, Arabic Video games
One other venture I’ve began is my very own consultancy firm that gives to assist corporations associated to gaming and real-time expertise navigate and develop within the SWANA area.
What makes the area distinctive relating to gaming?
The SWANA area has one of many highest youth populations. It additionally has an enormous participant base, but a small market share in comparison with the remainder of the world. There may be monumental room for the sport trade 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 grow to be such a spotlight for companies there?
I can’t inform for positive, however for my part, the success of PUBG and Fortnite modified the attitude of the area in the direction of video games. Earlier than that, it was very laborious to clarify video games to non-gamers. However now, even my mother, who is aware of nothing about expertise, had heard of Fortnite. Pals that swore they’d by no means play a recreation had PUBG on their telephones, and instantly everybody wished to spend money on video games. After all, that was not the one issue, however it did speed up issues.
Then got here the pandemic, and the sport trade was the least affected by that, which strengthened the case for video games.
With the rise of esports, and the area having an enormous gamer inhabitants, there has additionally been a concentrate on balancing the ratio between client/maker, which is why we’re seeing governments displaying curiosity on this area.
What recommendation do you’ve gotten 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 recreation jam with many first-timer college students that hardly knew something about recreation growth. There was barely an lively recreation growth scene in Lebanon, and we had no concept if we’d ever make it into the trade, however we saved going.
My expertise has been optimistic and I’m wanting ahead to connecting with native builders and studios
Joseph Azzam, Arabic Video games
In the present day after a few years, many people at the moment are 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 laborious, however there’s a good probability you may make it if you happen to hold enhancing your expertise, and you’re employed in your presence whether or not it’s on-line or by attending occasions. Additionally, you might be prone to really feel like an impostor, however simply hold going.
There’s been plenty of speak in regards to the metaverse, NFTs, web3… Are you investigating these phenomena?
There is a vast hole between avid gamers who’re actually into it and those that hate it. I don’t suppose I’m one of the best individual to touch upon this; all I can say till these grow to be extensively adopted and controlled, they need to be handled as very excessive threat.
What excites you most in regards to the return of Pocket Gamer Connects in November?
Pocket Gamer is likely one of the few occasions within the area associated to recreation growth, and I’m all the time excited to attend occasions specializing in the SWANA area. My expertise has been fairly optimistic previously, and I’m largely wanting ahead to connecting with the native builders and studios.
Tickets are on sale for Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan proper now, so to fulfill specialists from the area and past, register now: tickets can be found at Early Chicken charges.
The convention will happen close to Amman, subsequent to the Useless Sea. It is going to characteristic a spread of themed tracks, plus alternatives to community with some 750 video games trade insiders, and most of the attendees will take the possibility to go to areas like Petra. You possibly can learn our earlier MENA area interview right here, with Nour Khrais.