Leveling up: Pakistan’s gaming industry is ready to play!
Pakistan has emerged as a global player in the animation and video game sectors in recent years. Once a marginal participant in several industries, the country is currently gaining recognition for its technological innovation, creative genius, and spirit of entrepreneurship. As it builds its gaming and animation ecosystem, Pakistan is well-positioned to become a major player in the global gaming and animation markets, which, according to Grand View Research, will reach $321 billion and $405 billion by 2026, respectively. The foundations of Pakistan's rapidly expanding gaming and animation industries are strong talent, international collaborations, and entrepreneur vision.
According to Pakistan's Animation, Graphics, and Gaming Ecosystem Report (2022–23), the business is already worth over $300 million a year, with over 240 studios of all sizes employing thousands of highly qualified workers.
Babar Ahmed, the CEO of Mindstorm Studios and current VP of Product Strategy at Lion Studios, is one of the key industry figures spearheading this initiative and helping to spread awareness of Pakistan's potential globally. Saad Hameed, the CEO of Game District, has also played a significant role because his company's game, My Supermarket Simulator 3D, led the Android store with over 17 million downloads in September 2024 alone.
Fasieh Mehta, Global Partnerships Director at Epic Games, said during a gaming event that, “Pakistan's gaming industry is overflowing with potential, and there is a huge talent pool here, and local developers are making games that appeal to people all over the world as they have access to better resources.”
International tech companies’ participation has been crucial in quickening Pakistan's development. More international partnerships have been made possible by Google's continued support of regional studios and Epic Games' acquisition of Quixel. Larger markets have become accessible because to these collaborations, especially in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where RedSeer Consulting projects that the gaming industry alone will grow to $6 billion by 2025. “In recent years, Pakistan has been seen as the third highest growing market by Google in the gaming industry,” pointed out Mehta.
The growth of the business has also been greatly aided by government funding. Game-changing projects have been introduced by groups like the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and Ignite (Ministry of IT & Telecom's ICT R&D Fund). These include the creation of two Centres of Excellence in Gaming and Animation (CEGA) in Karachi and Lahore, as well as Pakistan's first Virtual Production Stage (VPS). Thousands of aspiring game developers and animators are to benefit from these centers' technical training, mentoring, and development of fresh talent. “Global partnerships have given Pakistani studios the tools, technology, and mentorship needed to grow,” said the CEO of the game district.
The young, tech-savvy populace of Pakistan is mostly responsible for this increase. With 192 million mobile subscribers and 64% of the population under 30, the nation has a large talent pool ready to participate in the digital economy. CEGA and other industry-led training programs, as well as academic institutions like IBA, FAST, and Habib University, are producing a skilled workforce equipped to compete in the global market. “The market works both way with new talent coming and learning from the grassroots and the ones who have been in the industry training themselves to make quality work,” shared Hassan Bin Rizwan, Founder and CEO of SABAQ and Moonshot Animations.
At significant international gatherings like the Game Creators Conference (GDC) in San Francisco and Pocket Gamers Connect in London, where regional creators have displayed their skills and attracted foreign investors, Pakistani game firms are now becoming more well-known. At gatherings like Siggraph and the Red Sea Film Festival, animation firms are also making an impression.
Pakistan's position in the international creative industries is further cemented as demand in holding international gaming and animation conferences domestically increases along with the country’s reputation. “Pakistan is about to experience something genuinely unique, and it is obvious that Pakistan’s game is on, and the world is watching,” said Mehta, adding that the market which was 500 million dollars two years back, can be turned into the billions market with right direction.
Despite its success, the business still confronts a number of obstacles, such as a lack of funding, antiquated technological infrastructure, and the requirement for more robust intellectual property rights. With more funding, improved training, and a focus on producing top-notch games and narratives that appeal to audiences throughout the world, the momentum is still strong. “With the help of the Ministry of IT and other private entities, the set-up of two studios in Karachi and Lahore will be a milestone where training will be held, capacity building will be done, and also at least 100 new start-ups will be in the pipeline, in next five years the dynamics will change for better,” said Rizwan.
Animation’s limits are being pushed by industry pioneers like Uzair Zaheer Khan and Usman Riaz, as well as veterans like Asif Iqbal. International critical praise for films like Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor and The Glassworker indicates a move towards producing top-notch, narratively focused entertainment. “Top-notch work is already being done in the country, and our work is also being recognized worldwide, which is a way forward for everyone,” said Mehta.
The likelihood of mergers, acquisitions, and foreign investments increases as the sector develops. Studios like Narsun, which benefited from substantial foreign finance from Nine66 and Saudi Arabia's MISA, are setting the standard for future cross-border partnerships. While local firms like Revolving Games are obtaining venture financing to advance their initiatives, Google and Epic Games are still providing support.
The most recent Economic Impact Report from Access Partnership estimates that by 2030, the gaming and animation industries in Pakistan might generate an extra $6.6 billion yearly. The quick rise in in-app purchases and the popularity of locally made apps support this promise, showing that the nation is not only well-positioned for future expansion but may soon emerge as a major center for the production of digital content worldwide. “The demand has changed in recent years and we can see that many universities are adding game developers’ courses in their programs but the curriculum is what needs to be worked on as when students pass out they have theoretical knowledge but not practical experiences,” pointed out Rizwan.
Pakistan's animation and gaming businesses are prepared to compete on the global scene with the correct backing and sustained investment. Studios are creating innovative, culturally relevant material that appeals to viewers throughout the world.
Once underappreciated, Pakistan’s creative industries are now a major influence in the world. The nation is well-positioned for exponential growth because of a flourishing talent environment, international partnerships, and government support. “With the big projects in line such as where Ignite is investing in CEGA and huge investments are being made to uplift the whole sector, in few years the industry will boom,” said Mehta.