Iran Computer and Video Games Foundation (IRCG)
The Iran Computer and Video Games Foundation (IRCG), established in 2007 in Tehran, is the national public institution tasked with cultivating domestic video game development, funding indie studios, establishing content ratings, and forging international industry partnerships in Iran. Creator of the ESRA (Entertainment Software Rating Association) age-rating system and founder of the Tehran Game Convention (TGC) in partnership with France's Game Connection, the IRCG was instrumental in transforming Tehran into one of the most prolific game development hubs in the Middle East.
Founding Mandate and Indie Incubation
Formed to harness Iran's burgeoning university computer science talent, the IRCG established game development incubators providing grants, server access, and legal frameworks for aspiring teams. Landmark domestic titles including *Garshasp: The Monster Slayer*, historical shooter *Mir Mahna*, and early prototypes of *Children of Morta* received pivotal developmental backing through the foundation's incubation centers.
The ESRA Age-Rating System
Recognizing the necessity of content guidelines adapted for regional family demographics, the IRCG created the Entertainment Software Rating Association (ESRA). Equivalent in technical rigor to ESRB and PEGI, ESRA analyzes violence, psychological intensity, addictive mechanics, and cultural themes, providing consumer protection across hundreds of distributed physical and digital games.
Tehran Game Convention and International Diplomacy
In 2017 and 2018, IRCG staged the Tehran Game Convention (TGC) in official partnership with Game Connection France. Drawing over 2,000 attendees, 60 international speakers, and global publishers from 15 countries, TGC served as a landmark B2B bridge that allowed Iranian developers to sign international publishing deals, proving games can transcend geopolitical boundaries.