Istikan Studio builds Iraqi game catalogue funded entirely by telecom parent Tornet

Istikan Studio, a seven-person Erbil team, funds development through Tornet's operating budget. Tornet, an Iraqi telecom company, funds Istikan as its in-house game development arm. More than 75% of Istikan Chai's Steam sales come from China. Kayfi says investors and publishers largely don't view Iraq as a game market.

Tornet's operating budget replaces VC rounds
Tornet funds Istikan Studio as its in-house game development department, covering all costs.
This structure lets the studio plan over longer periods instead of chasing funding rounds.
Kayfi says more companies in the region could try this corporate-backed model.
The studio shipped Social Suspect, General Idler and Bathroom Please! Without outside investors.

China became a market the studio didn't target
Istikan Chai launched with Simplified Chinese text but no publisher or paid marketing.
More than 75% of its Steam sales now come from Chinese players.
No team member speaks Chinese, and the studio has no Bilibili or WeChat presence.
"Each game taught us something. Istikan Chai showed us that cultural authenticity sells and that casual cooking sims are still hugely popular." - Danar Kayfi, Studio Manager
Tikka & Kebab will ship with professional Chinese localization from day one.

Iraq's funding gap leaves a missing middle
Basic banking access for store payments and developer accounts remains a hurdle in Iraq.
"For most indie teams here, funding is thin. It tends to go either to very early prototypes or to companies that are already big, with little in between." - Danar Kayfi, Studio Manager
Tornet funds Istikan Studio directly, bypassing typical investor funding rounds entirely.

Self-funded production still needs external distribution
Tornet's budget covers development costs but not marketing reach into markets like China.
Kayfi says the studio now seeks publishers who can handle marketing and user acquisition.
Istikan Chai's China success happened organically, without the paid marketing a publisher would supply.
Tikka & Kebab and future titles still depend on reach Erbil cannot provide alone.
What this means
For Publishers & Developers: Offer China-focused publishing deals to MENA cosy sims already showing organic Chinese demand.
For Service Vendors: Pitch Bilibili and WeChat community management to MENA studios planning China-localized launches.