2024-05-04 14:02:44
Economic News Hebdo: Can you tell us about the development of the video game industry in Morocco in recent years?
Hakam Boubker: The gambling sector has experienced significant progress in recent years, to the extent that it has become one of the most popular leisure activities. With the growth of Internet access and the rise in popularity of video games, Morocco has seen the emergence of a community of passionate and dynamic gamers, who have been able to express their passion by participating in many local and international events.
FNH: What are the opportunities for young talents who want to enter the video game industry in Morocco?
HB: Young talents can join existing development studios, participate in training and incubation programs, or even start their own projects as independent developers. Creating games that reflect local culture represents a unique chance to stand out on the international stage. Let’s take the example of one-player scenario games.such as “Nioh”, which promotes Japanese folklore, “God of War”, which introduced many players to Greek and Norse mythology, or the “Assassin’s Creed” series which took us through different cultures, Pharaonic, French, English and so on. Currently, all professions in the sector are in tension, which means that there is a high demand for qualified professionals. Almost 2 in 10 teenagers are considering a career related to the video game sector, according to a HyperX study. In summary, the video game industry offers varied opportunities in terms of development, graphic design, programming and professional competition. For motivated and creative young people, now is the perfect time to get started in this dynamic and ever-changing industry.
FNH: What are the main challenges for representatives of the sector?
HB: The video game industry in Morocco, although promising, faces significant challenges that limit its potential for development and innovation. One of the obstacles is lack of access to the latest IT products (GPU, CPU, motherboard, etc.), which not only delays the ability to market development, but also affects the experience of local players. This disconnect can discourage user engagement and prevent content creators from competing against their international peers. Industry also suffers from an investment deficit. Both local and international investors are often hesitant to place funds in a market that they perceive as risky or insufficiently profitable. This lack of funding directly affects the ability of video game startups to grow, expand their business, or even survive in an environmentCompetetive. At the same time, the lack of financial support from public institutions also slows down the development of the video game industry in Morocco. Stronger institutional support is very important to catalyze innovation, attract investment and establish a sustainable video game industry in the country.
FNH: Can you tell us about the difficulties you have faced during the development of your project?
HB: The first major challenge was to find a perfect location, both practical and attractive for our target customers. It was then necessary to ensure good management of resources and deadlines, as well as problem solving. complex techniques, but also and above all the logistical and layout aspects. And of course finding the right balance between the quality of the equipment and the budget. However, the most exciting part was trying our brains to offer our customers a unique and incomparable experience. Honestly, it was worth it. We’ve learned so much along the way, and now we’re here, ready to deliver an unforgettable gaming experience to all our customers.
FNH: How did you manage the first stages of the development of your gaming platform?
HB: To start our gaming center, we first conducted extensive market research to understand the needs and preferences of local players. We then developed a solid business plan to determine the equipment needed, the ideal location, and the services and games we would offer. We have also invested in creating a welcoming and attractive environment for our customers, with an emphasis on comfort, technology and friendliness. Then, over time, we became more aware, which allowed us to discover more needs that we were able to handle. This applies to the almost total mobility of our gaming area, whether it is tables equipped with PC players, or the installations we have created ourselves for the consoles to optimize space, comfort, in addition to the mobility of certain areas, namely the streaming zone and the virtual reality driving simulator zone.
FNH: What are the challenges that organizers have to overcome to guarantee the success of gaming events in Morocco?
HB: As an organizer of gaming events in Morocco myself, I can assure you that there are indeed several challenges to overcome. This includes securing adequate funding for the organization of the event, promoting it effectively to attract a large and diverse audience, creating an immersive and engaging experience for participants. But what represents a real challenge in our eyes is the logistics and the purely technical side of carrying out the event, depending on the needs of each individual customer.
FNH: Are there any government initiatives or organizations that support the gaming industry in Morocco?
HB: The video game industry is supported by several key initiatives, including the Royal Moroccan Federation of Electronic Games (FRMJE), which structures and lends credibility to the industry. At the same time, events such as the Morocco e-Sport Summit and the Morocco Gaming Expo, which will be held next month, help promote the industry by bringing together developers and investors. The techno parks in cities such as Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier also offer infrastructure suitable for technology companies. In addition, the Rabat Gaming City project aims to boost the industry by attracting some of the biggest video game developers in the world. In addition, Gitex Africa 2024, although not specifically targeting the video game sector, significantly contributes to the improvement of the technological infrastructure in Morocco and Africa, which provides indirect and significant benefits to the video game industry through technological synergies and cross-cutting innovations.
FNH: How do Moroccan gaming communities stand out on the global gaming scene?
HB: Moroccan gaming communities stand out on the global gaming scene through their passion, diversity and commitment. Moroccan players are active in a wide range of competitive multiplayer games such as Valorant, League of Legends, PUBG, to name a few. In addition, the culture of streaming and online gaming content creation is gaining popularity in Morocco, further strengthening the presence of the Moroccan community on the global stage. And this presence is not limited to individual performances. Just like their compatriots, footballers ranked in FIFA’s top 25, Moroccan eSports players also stand out for remarkable performances, especially during the FIFAe Nations Series in Denmark, where they were the only representatives from Africa.
FNH: How are major eSports events transforming the entertainment industry in general?
HB: From my point of view, I can tell you that they have every opportunity to transform the entertainment sector. These events provide a platform to showcase the skills and talents of gamers, create new economic opportunities through advertising, sponsorship and streaming, and expand the audience for video games beyond traditional entertainment boundaries. Additionally, these competitions help legitimize eSports as a legitimate form of entertainment and encourage more investment in the industry.
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