Video games in Iran

An Iranian player in a game event in Tehran in 2020

Video games are among the most popular hobbies of Iranians.[1]

According to the country's official statistics in 2022, Iran has 34 million gamers. In this year, the total population of the country was 84 million people. Also, 41% of Iranian gamers are female, and Alborz province has the most gamers while Qom province has the least gamers. Approximately 58% of gamers play online and 56% of them play daily. 96% of Iranian gamers play with mobile phones, 88% with home consoles, 59% with personal computers, 48% with laptops, 14% with tablets and 13% with handheld consoles. Also, 33% of Iranian gamers play on multiple platforms.[2]

Economic sanctions against Iran have hampered Iranian video game developers and their participation in international trade. The sanctions prevent their licensing of major game engines. Among consumers, sanctions block use of major digital stores and limit access to credit cards.[3]

  1. ^ Bertoli (December 28, 2018). "Iran's Growing Nintendo Scene Pins Hopes On Smash Ultimate". Kotaku. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "ایران ۳۴ میلیون گیمر دارد + اینفوگرافیک". ایسنا (in Persian). February 5, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  3. ^ Elmjouie, Yara (January 14, 2016). "The game industry of Iran". Polygon. Retrieved July 23, 2021.