In 2013, the Obama administration eased sanctions that limited Internet services in Iran. Since then, in hopes to engage Iranian and international gamers, two entrepreneurs, in partnership with Falafel Games, are creating a new game that features an ancient story. Their game is an attempt to connect the world to Iranian gamers and culture.
"We've been playing games within our own realm for so long and then suddenly you have the opportunity to play with the world, so it's a fascinating situation," Hossein Jaliai, a partner in the development team told NPR.
The online multiplayer game, called Seven Quests, follows an updated version of the 1,000 year-old poem "Shahnameh," the epic of the kings.
The game features the Persian Hercules named Rostam, who battles monsters instead of men, including a three-headed dog and a 10-headed snake.
"It's our hero— it's our Iranian national hero. It's our mythological symbol for a warrior who conquers all evil," says Amir Bozorgzadeh, head of a Dubai-based development company.
Though the U.S. eased its sanctions, the Iranian government still blocks sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. However, online games have proven to be a medium with successful free communication.
"And when you have a game that is filled with real-time players and dynamics and people are making alliances and people are making enemies but they're working together, in their chats and forums, everyone is interacting, it's very compelling," Bozorgzadeh says.
The online game will launch in English and then in Farsi in a few months.
[Photo Credit: Gameguise]
