347. Questions Istanbul Founders Stopped Asking I Akin Babayigit, Arcadia Gaming Partners

The Turkish mobile gaming ecosystem operates as a highly competitive, Darwinian environment where success hinges on rapid execution and mastery of complex user acquisition algorithms, particularly those governing AppLovin. While early visionaries like Siddhar established a blueprint for scaling gaming companies, the industry has evolved into a capital-intensive model requiring significant investment and long-term payback strategies. Akin Babayigit, a veteran operator and investor, argues that while gaming remains a viable path, current market saturation and rising CPIs necessitate a higher bar for innovation. He challenges the region’s top-tier talent to expand their focus beyond puzzle games, advocating for a shift toward broader frontier technologies like AI. This transition is essential for the ecosystem to move past its current narrow focus and cultivate the next generation of global, high-impact technology companies.