Iran Computer and Video Games Foundation
{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=November 2016}}
{{Excessive citations|date=October 2022}}
{{Update|date=October 2022|reason=information does not seem to extend past 2015}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Iran National Foundation of Computer Games
| logo = 150px
| type = Nonprofit organization
| parent_organization = Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
| area_served = Iran
| key_people =
| homepage = {{URL|http://en.ircg.ir/}}
| formation = {{Start date and age|2007|1|1}}
| location = {{nowrap|Tehran, Iran}}
}}
The Iran Computer and Video Games Foundation (ICVGF), also known as the National Foundation for Computer Games (NFCG), is an Iranian nonprofit organization{{Dubious|date=October 2022|reason=The information mentioned in this article seems to imply this is actually a government agency.}} established by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance to control and support the video game industry in Iran.{{cite book |author= Mark J. P. Wolf, Toru Iwatani |title= Video Games Around the World |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Gen3CAAAQBAJ |publisher= MIT Press |page= 277|isbn= 978-0262328494 |date= 22 May 2015 }}
Established in 2007, the ICVGF is responsible for publishing and releasing video games, supporting Iranian video game developers, teaching video game development, and monitoring the activities of LAN gaming centers in Iran.{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldboy.com/irans-national-foundation-of-computer-games-to-organize-game-centers/242/|title=Iran's National Foundation of Computer Games to Organize Game Centers – Herald Boy|website=www.heraldboy.com|access-date=2016-08-21|archive-date=2016-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910231111/http://www.heraldboy.com/irans-national-foundation-of-computer-games-to-organize-game-centers/242/|url-status=dead}} The ICVGF is also responsible for banning foreign video games that are not compatible with Iran's political views, and filtering video game websites that do not meet governmental rules.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/300689/Iran-plans-to-block-websites-offering-1979-Revolution|title=Iran plans to block websites offering "1979 Revolution"|date=17 April 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-21}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/pc-game-1979-revolution-black-friday-banned-iran-accused-hostile-intentions-1564600|title=Acclaimed PC game banned in Iran due to "hostile intentions"|date=9 June 2016|access-date=2016-08-21}}{{Cite web|title=Iran Bans Video Game Based On Revolution|url=http://news.sky.com/story/iran-bans-video-game-based-on-1979-revolution-10307457|access-date=2016-08-21|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/inside-irans-budding-video-game-industry-180957856/?no-ist|title=Inside Iran's Budding Video Game Industry|last=Lewis|first=Danny|access-date=2016-07-16}}{{Cite web|url=http://techrasa.com/2016/02/21/first-national-conference-computer-games-iran/|title=The First National Conference on Computer Games in Iran|last=Azali|first=MohammadReza|date=21 February 2016|website=Techrasa|access-date=2016-07-16}}{{Cite web|url=http://africa-me.com/irans-video-gaming-industry-poised-for-action/|title=Iran's video-gaming industry poised for action – Africa M.E.|date=2 April 2016|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-07-16}}{{Cite book|last=Šisler|first=Vit|date=1 January 2013|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US|isbn=978-1-349-43501-2|editor-last=Huntemann|editor-first=Nina B.|series=Critical Media Studies|pages=251–271|language=en|editor-last2=Aslinger|editor-first2=Ben|doi=10.1057/9781137006332_18|title = Gaming Globally|chapter = Video Game Development in the Middle East: Iran, the Arab World, and Beyond}}
Duties
The main duties of the ICVGF are:
- Supporting and promoting game development in Iran{{Cite web|url=http://financialtribune.com/articles/art-and-culture/4692/top-rank-mideast-video-game-production|title=Top Rank in Mideast Video Game Production|date=16 November 2014|website=Financial Tribune Daily|access-date=2016-07-16}}{{Cite web|url=http://www7.irna.ir/en/News/81992596/|title=Iranian video games draw interest of customers in global markets|last=|first=|date=|website=irna|publisher=|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305002040/http://www7.irna.ir/en/News/81992596/|archive-date=2017-03-05|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://africa-me.com/irans-video-gaming-industry-poised-for-action/|title=Iran's video-gaming industry poised for action – Africa M.E.|date=2 April 2016|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://financialtribune.com/articles/art-and-culture/34563/status-video-games-iran|title=Status of Video Games in Iran|date=19 January 2016|website=Financial Tribune Daily|access-date=2016-07-18}}
- Educating Iranian game designers, developers, and artists in Iran{{Cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/86864-Iranian-Expo-Promotes-Proper-Culture-Of-Computer-Games|title=Iranian Expo Promotes "Proper Culture Of Computer Games"|date=16 October 2008|access-date=2016-07-16|archive-date=2017-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305173507/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/86864-Iranian-Expo-Promotes-Proper-Culture-Of-Computer-Games|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/tag/iran-national-foundation-of-computer-games|title=Iran national foundation of computer games News, Videos, Reviews and Gossip – Kotaku|website=Kotaku|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-16}}{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8213272.stm|title=Iran tries to crack games market|date=20 August 2009|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-07-16}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldboy.com/irans-national-foundation-of-computer-games-to-organize-game-centers/242/|title=Iran's National Foundation of Computer Games to Organize Game Centers – Herald Boy|website=www.heraldboy.com|access-date=2016-07-16|archive-date=2016-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910231111/http://www.heraldboy.com/irans-national-foundation-of-computer-games-to-organize-game-centers/242/|url-status=dead}}
- Managing the Entertainment Software Rating Association{{Cite web |title=About ESRA – IRCG official website |url=http://en.ircg.ir/service/3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726134306/http://en.ircg.ir/service/3 |archive-date=2016-07-26 |access-date=2016-08-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/iran-sets-up-esra-game-ratings-esrb-denies-link|title=Iran Sets Up ESRA Game Ratings, ESRB Denies Link|last=Caoili|first=Eric|website=www.gamasutra.com|date=30 December 2008|access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/technology/islamic-system-will-rate-video-games|title=Islamic system will rate video games {{!}} The National|date=30 November 2010 |access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalproductionme.com/article-3628-islamic-video-game-rating-system-launched/|title=Islamic video game rating system launched |last=Newbould|first=Chris|website=www.digitalproductionme.com|access-date=2016-07-18}} and the Game Development Institute{{Cite web |date=12 December 2013 |title=Iran Game Development Institute {{!}} Global Game Jam |url=http://globalgamejam.org/2014/jam-sites/iran-game-development-institute |access-date=2016-06-25 |website=globalgamejam.org}}
- Hosting officially-sanctioned gaming conventions and game jams in Iran{{Cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2012/10/25/3544758/game-development-in-the-middle-east|title=The stressful life of Middle Eastern game developers and reality of their craft|last=Lien|first=Tracey|date=25 October 2012|website=Polygon|access-date=2016-07-16}}{{Cite web|url=http://techrasa.com/2016/02/21/first-national-conference-computer-games-iran/|title=The First National Conference on Computer Games in Iran|last=Azali|first=MohammadReza|date=21 February 2016|website=Techrasa|access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/86864-Iranian-Expo-Promotes-Proper-Culture-Of-Computer-Games|title=Iranian Expo Promotes "Proper Culture Of Computer Games"|date=16 October 2008|access-date=2016-07-18|archive-date=2017-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305173507/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/86864-Iranian-Expo-Promotes-Proper-Culture-Of-Computer-Games|url-status=dead}}
- Promoting Iranian video games at regional and international gaming conventions and trade fairs{{Cite web|url=http://en.mehrnews.com/news/111379/Iranian-computer-game-companies-to-attend-Game-Connection-2015|title=Iranian computer game companies to attend Game Connection 2015|date=26 October 2015|language=en|access-date=2016-07-11}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81710614/|title=Iran interactive games on display at world's biggest fair in Cologne|website=www.irna.ir|date=6 August 2015 |access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=https://toptopic.com/posts/i-was-surprised-to-learn-that-there-s-an-iran-sponsored-booth-at-gamescom-here-s-a-pic-of-their-pavilion-booth-21896?jump=comment-3540|title=I was surprised to learn that there's an Iran sponsored booth at Gamescom – here's a pic of their pavilion (booth)|website=TopTopic.com|access-date=2016-08-23|archive-date=2016-10-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012190543/https://toptopic.com/posts/i-was-surprised-to-learn-that-there-s-an-iran-sponsored-booth-at-gamescom-here-s-a-pic-of-their-pavilion-booth-21896?jump=comment-3540|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/post-nuclear-video-games-are-blooming-in-iran-and-some-make-up-to-200k-a-day/a-19487991|title=Post-nuclear: video games are 'blooming' in Iran and some make up to '200k' a day {{!}} Sci-Tech {{!}} DW.COM {{!}} 19 August 2016|website=DW.COM|access-date=2016-08-23}}{{Cite web|url=http://theiranproject.com/blog/2016/08/18/iran-participate-gamescom-2016-germany/|title=Iran to participate in Gamescom 2016 in Germany|date=18 August 2016|website=The Iran Project|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-23}}
- Governing and controlling video game sales in the Iranian market{{Cite web|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/inside-irans-budding-video-game-industry-180957856/?no-ist|title=Inside Iran's Budding Video Game Industry|last=Lewis|first=Danny|access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://techrasa.com/2015/09/21/5-5-million-iranian-players-on-clash-of-clans/|title=5.5 Million Iranian Players on Clash of Clans|last=Jafari|first=Hamed|date=21 September 2015|website=Techrasa|access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://techrasa.com/2016/02/07/140m-video-games-market-revenue-in-iran/|title=$140M Video Games Market Revenue in Iran|last=Jafari|first=Hamed|date=7 February 2016|website=Techrasa|access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://financialtribune.com/articles/art-and-culture/4692/top-rank-mideast-video-game-production|title=Top Rank in Mideast Video Game Production|date=16 November 2014|website=Financial Tribune Daily|access-date=2016-07-18}}
= Video game bans =
One of the responsibilities of the ICVGF is to ban video games that do not meet Iranian ideals or do not follow the Iranian government's media regulations. This is often done in conjunction with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. One notable ban was the 2016 video game 1979 Revolution: Black Friday, which, according to the ICVGF, presented "false and distorted information" about the Iranian Revolution.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/tehran-blocks-sale-of-video-game-depicting-irans-1979-revolution/|title=Tehran blocks sale of video game depicting Iran's 1979 revolution {{!}} Fox News|last=Chiaramonte|first=Perry|website=Fox News|date=7 June 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-16}}{{Cite web |last=Cragg |first=Oliver |date=9 June 2016 |title=Acclaimed PC game banned in Iran due to "hostile intentions" |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/pc-game-1979-revolution-black-friday-banned-iran-accused-hostile-intentions-1564600 |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=International Business Times UK |language=en}} The ICVGF blocked websites offering the game, and conducted an operation to confiscate all copies of the game in Iran.{{Cite web |date=17 April 2016 |title=Iran plans to block websites offering "1979 Revolution" |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/300689/Iran-plans-to-block-websites-offering-1979-Revolution |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}} In 2012, the ICVGF denied Bohemia Interactive a license to sell Arma 3 in Iran due to its depiction of the Iran Armed Forces. Arma 3
Organization
= Entertainment Software Rating Association =
{{Main|Entertainment Software Rating Association}}
In 2007, the ICVGF established the Entertainment Software Rating Association (ESRA), a self-regulatory organization that assigns age and content ratings for video games released in Iran.{{Cite web |title=A New Rating System for Video Games based on Islamic Values Endorsed today in Dubai | Games industry press releases | Develop |url=http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/a-new-rating-system-for-video-games-based-on-islamic-values-endorsed-today-in-dubai/0149987 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829060136/http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/a-new-rating-system-for-video-games-based-on-islamic-values-endorsed-today-in-dubai/0149987 |archive-date=2016-08-29 |access-date=2016-06-25}}{{Cite web |title=Islamic Video Game Rating System Launched at Dubai World Game Expo {{!}} IslamToday – English |url=http://en.islamtoday.net/artshow-236-3873.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604211501/http://en.islamtoday.net/artshow-236-3873.htm |archive-date=2016-06-04 |access-date=2016-06-25 |website=en.islamtoday.net}}{{Cite web |title=Islamic Game Rating System Announced |url=http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/708881/islamic-video-game-rating-system-announced/ |access-date=2016-06-25 |archive-date=2016-09-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922232133/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/708881/islamic-video-game-rating-system-announced/ |url-status=dead }}
= Iran Game Development Institute =
In 2010, the ICVGF established the Iran Game Development Institute (IGDI), a video game development school, made for the purpose of training Iranian video game designers and developers. The IGDI regularly participates in game jams and gaming conventions hosted by the ICVGF, and often wins awards from them.{{Cite web |date=13 July 2016 |title=Game Jam at FUM in Sept. |url=http://financialtribune.com/articles/art-and-culture/45405/game-jam-fum-sept |access-date=2016-07-18 |website=Financial Tribune Daily}}{{Cite web |title=Class of 2016 {{!}} Moody College of Communication |url=http://moody.utexas.edu/gaming-academy/class-2016-0 |access-date=2016-07-18 |website=Moody College of Communication |archive-date=2016-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620182601/http://moody.utexas.edu/gaming-academy/class-2016-0 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldboy.com/iranian-companies-developing-new-video-games-for-local-players/952/|title=Iranian Companies Developing New Video Games for Local Players – Herald Boy|website=www.heraldboy.com|access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/finding-video-games-with-added-cultural-value/a-18631980|title=Finding video games with added cultural value {{!}} Digital Culture {{!}} DW.COM {{!}} 6 August 2015|website=DW.COM|access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/13/may/1232.html|title="Hate the Sin" named best at Game Connection Asia|website=www.payvand.com|access-date=2016-11-08}}
| class="wikitable"
|+Video games developed by the Iran Game Development Institute !Game !Award !Event |
| Granny and Grim
|Best Indie Game of the Year |1st Tehran Video Game Festival |
| Bloody Streets
|Best Indie Game of the Year |3rd Tehran Video Game Festival |
| Blue Waters
|Best Strategic Game of the Year |4th Tehran Video Game Festival |
| Hate the Sin, Love the Sinners
|Best Selected Project |Game Connection Asia 2013 |
Festivals and exhibitions
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2020}}
File:FifthFestivalTehrangames.jpg
The ICVGF hosts gaming conventions and game jams in Iran for the purpose of garnering wider appeal for Iranian video games and the Iranian video game industry.
| class="wikitable"
|+Iran Game Exhibitions 2011–2013 !Event !Date !Location in Tehran |
| 1st Tehran Game Exhibition
| 17–21 August 2011 |
|---|
| 2nd Tehran Game Exhibition
| 13–17 August 2012 |
| 3rd Tehran Game Exhibition
| 13–17 August 2013 |
| class="wikitable"
|+Tehran Video Game Festivals 2011–2015 !Event !Date |
| 1st Tehran Video Game Festival
| 17–21 August 2011 |
|---|
| 2nd Tehran Video Game Festival
| 13–17 August 2012 |
| 3rd Tehran Video Game Festival
| 13–17 August 2013 |
| 4th Tehran Video Game Festival
|2 September – 2 October 2014 |
| 5th Tehran Video Game Festival
|20 May – 20 August 2015 |
| class="wikitable"
|+Events hosted or sanctioned by the ICVGF !Event !Date |
| Kashan GDC
|13 April |
| Persian Gold Game Development
|13 June |
| Global Game Jam
|13 January |
| Kashan GDC
|14 April |
| Ludum Dare 30
|14 August |
| NES Jam
|14 November |
| Ludum Dare 31
|14 November |
| Global Game Jam
|15 January |
| Tehran Indie Game Festival
|15 February |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://en.ircg.ir/ Official website]
- [https://www.irvgame.com/ Old domain]
- [http://www.tehrangamefestival.ir/en/ Tehran Game Festival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828170741/http://tehrangamefestival.ir/en/ |date=28 August 2018 }}
Category:2007 establishments in Iran