Iran Computer and Video Games Foundation

The foundation's statute was approved in the mid-2000s as part of the state's cultural policy framework for digital games, and the organization began operating in 2007 under the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. In 2010 it established the Iran Game Development Institute (IGDI) as a training initiative; later foundation publications and industry coverage described IGDI projects receiving awards at domestic festivals and being presented internationally. In 2015 the foundation's research function was described as being consolidated in the Digital Games Research Center (DIREC), which publishes surveys and analytical reports about game consumption and the domestic market. In September 2022 the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance announced the appointment of Mohammad-Amin Haji-Hashemi as managing director of the foundation. In April 2025 Iranian media reported the appointment of Mohammad Haji Mirzaei as managing director and the naming of board members. == Legal status and governance ==

Under its statute, the foundation is overseen by a board-of-trustees structure linked to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance; the statute also sets out governing bodies and the role of the managing director (CEO) in administration and implementation. Leadership appointments in the 2020s have been publicly announced through the ministry and Iranian media, including 2022 and 2025 managing-director decrees. == Duties ==

The foundation's publicly described activities include policy support, training, market supervision, and research across Iran's digital games ecosystem. Education and training Coverage of Iran's early game-industry policy describes training, workshops, and the development of professional capacity as a core objective of the foundation and its affiliated institutes. Academic health research on gaming in Iran has cited DIREC statistics as part of broader discussion of national gaming prevalence and trends. International promotion and industry events Iranian media have reported the foundation's participation in international networking and business events, including cooperation with the Game Connection brand and the establishment of a Tehran-based industry convention in the late 2010s. Regulation and licensing The statute and subsequent reporting describe the foundation as involved in supervision and licensing frameworks for the domestic market, including standards and content guidance alongside support and training functions. In 2012, Iranian authorities were reported to have denied a license for Arma 3 due to the game's depiction of Iran's armed forces in its storyline. == Organization ==

Entertainment Software Rating Association In 2007, the foundation established the Entertainment Software Rating Association (ESRA), which assigns age and content ratings for games released in Iran. Iran Game Development Institute The foundation established the Iran Game Development Institute (IGDI) as a game development training initiative that participates in foundation-backed events and competitions. Digital Games Research Center (DIREC) DIREC (Digital Games Research Center) is described in foundation research publications as the foundation's research department, founded in 2015 to increase research capacity and publish statistical and analytical reports on Iran's games ecosystem. == Festivals and exhibitions ==

The foundation organizes and supports game exhibitions and festivals in Iran, alongside later industry-facing events and award programs. Later editions have frequently been referred to as the Iran Video Game(s) Festival in English-language coverage and are described as annual foundation-organized award programs. English-language naming has varied over time: early coverage and foundation publications refer to the event as the Tehran Video Game Festival, while later reporting commonly uses Iran Video Game Festival (or Iran Video Games Festival) for subsequent editions, reflecting an apparent shift from city-branded to national branding in English usage. Other award programs Foundation research publications also discuss “serious games” as a policy and industry focus, including a dedicated prize and conference/hackathon components described in sector reporting and DIREC materials. == See also ==