Founder of a game development studio from Kyrgyzstan on the development of the gaming industry in Central Asia

Eldar Azamatov, city — Bishkek, CEO Supernatural Gamedev, @hell_dar_

About Me

I am a programmer at Outtalent. This is an American startup that helps people get jobs at companies like Google and Amazon. I also have a development studio where we have made about a dozen games on various platforms, gaining significant traffic and revenue.

I only have a school education; I studied in Osh at the Aga Khan School. Four years ago, when I moved to Bishkek, I enrolled in the Kyrgyz-German Institute of Applied Informatics. I studied for one semester in the Software Engineering department and then dropped out. Currently, I am not studying anywhere.

How I Entered Game Development

When I got a computer at the age of 11, I did many things: I wrote code, edited videos, created YouTube content, made games, and developed applications. I published my games on Roblox, Steam, and the Play Market. At 17, one of my favorite games started gaining traction and attracting many players. It is called School Story, and that is how my journey began.

About My Company

My company is called Supernatural, and it has existed for only six months. Initially, we started as an accelerator, meaning we invested in teams creating games, took a certain equity stake, and helped them generate revenue. However, this model did not work out, and we decided to operate in the format of a development studio. Moreover, I already had a development studio before this, called Noctum Games. The people currently working at Supernatural are those I worked with at Noctum Games. Additionally, Tylek Mamutov, the founder of Outtalent, helped me open the Supernatural company.

Mostly, we make horror games. We are now slowly transitioning into Web3, meaning we are developing Telegram Applications and WebViews. In early April, a game created entirely by our Supernatural team will be released.

What Helps Me Develop

Creating horror games for me is not only a creative process but also a form of therapy. It allows for self-expression and overcoming difficulties, as well as fulfilling the dream of creating games. Games have always given me an unreal experience. In real life, I used to have few friends, and they were not the kind of people I wanted to communicate with. But when I played games, especially with friends in Minecraft and Roblox, I found many cool friends with whom I still communicate today. Inspired by this, I always wanted to create a similar world, but better and my own.

Secondly, my motivation is to bring my ideas to life in games. This stems from internal processes in my brain, and I strive to develop in this field both financially and professionally. My ultimate goal is to create a popular game, similar to Death Stranding, that will remain in the hearts of players.

It is important to listen to sources of inspiration, whether podcasts or books, to define your goals. One of the biggest mistakes is taking advice from those who have achieved nothing and do not strive for success. I work a lot with startups and game development. Many doubted my success, but I saw a new world and developed. I draw lessons from the life experience of successful people who have achieved success. For example, Pavel Zhovner, the creator of Flipper Zero, inspired me with his success and approach to work. He raised five million dollars on Kickstarter and is successfully developing his product. I listen to his advice and read his books.

Another person who inspires me is Richard Branson. I have fully embraced his style of business management, which is based on emotions, fun, and a willingness to take risks. My approach to business also involves not being afraid to go against the current and do unconventional things. Additionally, my source of inspiration is Tylek Mamutov, my mentor. For me, it is important not only to acquire knowledge but also to act on it. I believe that the key to success is active action, as many people do not overcome the fear of the unknown and fall into the trap of procrastination. Therefore, I try to start implementing ideas immediately and act gradually to preserve and increase my energy for the future.

I am happy doing what I love. For me, this is true development. It is important that there are also concrete results. Personal development for me means living, acting, and learning from mistakes. I make many mistakes and have many failures, but I try not to reduce their number; instead, I strive to achieve noticeable progress and success.

Prospects for a Central Asian Game Development Company

Equal opportunities are opening up for game creators from Central Asia. Platforms like the Play Market, Steam, and others do not discriminate based on location. Releasing a game on the Epic Games Store or any other platform is available to everyone. Career prospects in game development are huge. Creating games is becoming more accessible thanks to modern tools and educational resources on the internet. Publishing a game on various platforms does not require large investments—only $25–100. Many examples of successful games created by people without prior programming experience confirm this. For instance, the creators of Omori and Undertale did not have a technical specialty, as well as Andrey from Kyrgyzstan, known as Amortiz, who is creating his game without programming experience. Prospects depend on creativity and ideas. You can learn everything on the internet.

The Level of Game Industry Development in Central Asia

Game development in Central Asia is at an early stage of development. Despite the lack of a developed industry, there has been some progress in recent years. For example, in Kyrgyzstan, in 2017, three companies appeared: Irokez, Mad Aliens, and Grimwood, which began creating games and organizing events. However, subsequently, Irokez and Mad Aliens apparently ceased their activities, and Irokez turned into an IT outsourcing company. Despite this, some events, such as the Central Asia Game Show, continue to be held. In 2022, GameCon was organized, which testifies to the revival of interest in game development in the region. Thus, although the game development industry in Central Asia is at an early stage of development, some positive trends and periodic events are emerging, indicating potential for further growth.

Top 3 IT Companies from Central Asia That Create Games

The only one I know besides us is IDOS Games. I like the results of Car Parking Online and AmayaSoft.

Which Specialists Are in Demand and Who Is Lacking

Game development in Central Asia is difficult due to a shortage of specialists. Most team members in projects have to be trained independently, as access to qualified personnel is limited. A lack of educational events, conferences, and discussions, such as GameCon Central Asia, leads to a lack of interest among young people in game development. At the same time, there are many opportunities for the development of marketers, artists, programmers, and other specialists in this industry. However, the lack of local companies and education in this field makes game development unattractive to young people who do not see prospects and do not know where to start.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their IT Journey

The most important thing in IT is proficiency in English and communication skills. Programming languages are communication with computers, but for success and career advancement, it is necessary to be able to communicate with people. IT work is usually team-based, and without communication skills, it will be difficult to achieve results. Communication skills include the ability to conduct business correspondence, interact with the team, and receive feedback. Knowledge of English is also extremely important, as it is the primary language of communication in the international IT community and provides access to a huge amount of resources and information.

The second piece of advice is not to focus too heavily on a specific programming language or specialization at the beginning of your IT journey. Instead, focus on developing technical skills through practice and participation in projects, hackathons, and other collaborative initiatives. It is important to have basic knowledge and skills, but the main focus should be on the ability to solve problems and add value to projects.

Learn to be effective in learning new technologies and work methods, as well as finding creative solutions to emerging tasks. These skills will help you successfully enter the industry and achieve success in it.