Hit Games Conference Istanbul through the eyes of our team: conclusions and impressions

Istanbul has once again proven its reputation as one of the biggest gaming hubs in the region: engaging discussions, networking with potential partners, and new insights that will help us move forward. We connected with representatives from different markets, discussed mobile game development trends, and found exciting opportunities for collaboration. HGC Istanbul reaffirmed once more: strong networking = new growth prospects.  

“The Turkish market is on the rise: numerous startups, young and ambitious teams, active investors and publishers, as well as a service ecosystem that covers everything from Playable ad creation to global content distribution. All of this creates favorable conditions for development. This conference provided me with up-to-date insights into the Turkish market, a better understanding of major game publishers’ strategies, marketing investments, and success factors. Plus, the opportunity to connect with colleagues and exchange experiences is always invaluable”, — Anton, CEO.

“The conference brought many new connections and valuable contacts. I gained a deeper understanding of the Turkish gaming market and its specifics, while also establishing ties with potential partners for future collaborations”, — Katerina, HRD.    

“One of the most interesting topics of the conference for me was investments in mobile games. The market offers various financing approaches, with three main models standing out. The first is equity investment, where a company receives funding in exchange for a stake. The second is debt financing — essentially a classic loan with interest. The third model is UA Funding, or investing in user acquisition with subsequent profit sharing. Here, there are two possible approaches: either the studio launches the game independently or the game is published through an investor’s accounts, which provides certain scaling advantages. Investments in the gaming industry are evolving rapidly, and this conference was a great opportunity to explore current approaches and trends”, — Oleg, Head of Finance and Legal .

Hit Games Istanbul was not only a source of new knowledge for us, but also a great opportunity to connect with industry peers, exchange experiences, and find inspiration for future projects. We are returning from the conference with exciting ideas, insights into new trends, and confidence that the mobile gaming market continues to evolve in exciting directions. A big thank you to the organizers for an amazing event and to everyone we met for valuable discussions and new connections!