TEHRAN -- The Iran Computer and Video Games Foundation has announced the call for entries for the 12th Iran Video Game Festival, one of the country’s major annual events celebrating the video game industry, art and media.
The 12th edition will feature a revised structure aimed at improving the quality of Iranian video game productions, supporting industry development and creating new opportunities for investment and the distribution of domestic titles.
According to the festival organizers, the new framework follows a comprehensive review of the event’s objectives, competitive categories and evaluation procedures. The process has drawn on the expertise of the festival’s Academy of Judges, as well as feedback from industry professionals and other specialists.
The Academy, comprising experts and active members of Iran’s gaming community, has played an important role in shaping the changes. The revisions are intended to strengthen the festival’s professional credibility, encourage greater participation from game developers and bring the event closer to the needs of Iran’s gaming industry.
The 12th festival will focus on two principal objectives: improving the quality of Iranian video game productions and encouraging developers to meet higher production standards; and creating incentives and opportunities for game development, investment and the distribution of Iranian titles.
The organizers say these priorities will guide every stage of the event, from the selection and evaluation of entries to the announcement of winners and accompanying programs.
Beyond recognizing outstanding productions, the festival aims to contribute to the long-term growth, development and competitiveness of Iran’s domestic video game industry.
Following the restructuring, the festival’s competitions will be organized into three main sections, covering technical and creative achievements, different game genres and special thematic categories.
1. Best Achievement
This category will recognize outstanding accomplishments in five areas:
Best Technical Achievement
Best Game Design Achievement
Best Artistic Achievement (Technical and Aesthetic)
Best Music and Sound Effects Achievement
Best Story and Narrative Achievement
The category is designed to provide more specialized recognition of the different disciplines and creative contributions involved in game development.
2. Best Game by Genre
To reflect the diversity of Iranian game production and provide opportunities for titles across different genres, entries will compete in 13 categories:
Action
Adventure
Role-Playing Game (RPG)
Strategy
Action-Adventure
Platformer
Sports
Casual
Racing
Puzzle
Tower Defense
Shooter
Trivia and Word Games
The revised genre structure aims to provide a fairer competitive environment and greater visibility for a wider range of Iranian games.