An Alternative Financing and Marketing Model in the Turkish Gaming Sector: Crowdfunding

Abstract

This paper investigates the use and impact of crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and Fonbulucu for the development of video games in Turkey. Crowdfunding has emerged as a crucial financial tool that enables independent Turkish game developers to overcome traditional financial barriers and gather the necessary funding. The study analyzes various projects hosted on these platforms from 2013 to 2023, examining factors such as funding amounts, success rates, and post-campaign outcomes. The findings reveal that crowdfunding has played an unprecedented significant role in promoting entrepreneurial activities in the Turkish video game industry, showing a notable increase in investments and enabling the launch of numerous projects. Despite challenges such as difficulties in reaching funding goals and delays in projects, crowdfunding has provided developers with critical market opportunities and financial resources. This study contributes to the understanding of alternative financing in the digital game development sector in emerging markets.

Keywords

• Crowdfunding
• Video Games
• Game Development
• Marketing
• Entrepreneurship

Türk Oyun Sektöründe Alternatif Bir Finansman ve Pazarlama Modeli: Kitle Fonlaması

Öz

Bu makale, video oyunlarının geliştirilmesi için Türkiye'de Kickstarter ve Fonbulucu gibi kitle fonlaması platformlarının kullanımını ve etkisini araştırmaktadır. Kitle fonlaması, bağımsız Türk oyun geliştiricilerinin geleneksel finansal engelleri aşarak gerekli fonlamayı toplamalarını sağlayan hayati bir finansal araç olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Çalışma, 2013 ile 2023 yılları arasında bu platformlarda yer alan çeşitli projeleri analiz ederken, fonlama miktarları, başarı oranları ve kampanya sonrası sonuçlar gibi unsurları incelemektedir. Bulgular, kitle fonlamasının Türk video oyunu endüstrisinde girişimcilik faaliyetlerini teşvik etmede daha önce var olmamış önemli bir rol oynadığını, yatırımlarda belirgin bir artış gösterildiğini ve çok sayıda projenin hayata geçmesini sağladığını ortaya koymaktadır. Fonlama hedeflerine ulaşmada yaşanan zorluklar ve projelerin gecikmeleri gibi sorunlara rağmen, kitle fonlaması geliştiricilere kritik pazar imkanları ve finansal kaynaklar sağlamıştır. Bu çalışma, gelişmekte olan pazarlarda video oyun geliştirme sektöründe alternatif finansmanın anlaşılmasına katkıda bulunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Kitle Fonlaması
• Video Oyunlar
• Oyun Geliştirme
• Pazarlama
• Girişimcilik

Kaynakça

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