Digital video game distribution storefronts such as Steam and the Epic Games Store could face restrictions in Turkey if a new draft law moves forward. As reported by IGN Turkey, the Ministry of Family and Social Services is preparing rules that would extend Turkey’s recent push for tighter control over online platforms to the games industry.
The proposal would require large-game storefronts in Turkey that see significant daily traffic to appoint an official local representative. Games sold in the country would also need recognised age ratings, while the Information and Communication Technologies Authority would gain the power to review game content, request changes, or ask for user data and technical logs in the name of public interest and child safety.
Officials cite three main reasons for the move. First, they argue that children can currently access violent or culturally sensitive content without sufficient checks, and existing bans take too long through the courts. Second, platforms without a presence in Turkey often resist sharing data during investigations into fraud or abuse. Third, requiring a legal presence in the country could improve tax tracking and financial oversight.
IGN Turkey notes that if companies determine that the costs and paperwork of setting up local offices are too high, they may choose to exit Turkey, as PayPal did previously. If platform access is severely restricted, players with digital libraries may lose access to all their purchases. Regional pricing could also disappear, pushing local game prices closer to global rates. While large publishers such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Sony can afford formal age certifications, many indie creators cannot. If unrated games are barred from sale, a large portion of indie titles on Steam may become unavailable to Turkish players.
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Rayan Sayyed is a staff writer for IGN India with a primary focus on tech and entertainment, spanning from anime, manga, games to films and everything in between. You can reach out to him at [email protected], or find him on Twitter/X @rayanaver and Instagram @rayansayyed
