Unleashing Creativity: Baazista Inspires the Next Generation of Game Designers with Innovative Ideas

On August 4, the vibrant closing ceremony of the inaugural national game-scriptwriting event, “Baazista,” took place at the Art Bureau in Tehran, captivating attendees with the announcement of winners. This event, initially aimed at game script development, evolved into a showcase for board games, environmental games, and escape room concepts, thanks to the enthusiasm of participants.

The event’s secretary, Mohammadreza Emamgholi, opened the ceremony with an inspiring report on the proceedings. He highlighted that “the presence of nearly 3,800 participants from all over Iran and the submission of around 3,000 entries showed the high energy and enthusiasm surrounding this event.” He also mentioned that 444 teams registered for Baazista, leading to 249 game designs entering the judging stage, culminating in 15 board games and 9 environmental games and escape rooms reaching the finals.

Emamgholi expressed gratitude to judges and mentors, stating, “Without their cooperation, it wouldn’t have been possible to complete this two-year journey. This first edition is not the end of the road, and we hope that with the support of officials, such events will continue.”

Judge Hamed Taammoli shared his excitement: “During the two days of judging, we truly enjoyed the quality of the games. I hope you, the participants, continue to develop your games into marketable products with thought and motivation.”

Addressing the youth at the ceremony, Seyyed Amir Javid, Deputy Head of the Art Bureau for International Affairs, remarked, “Your work was excellent and truly uplifting for us. I honestly regret that I didn’t have such opportunities when I was a teenager.” He emphasized the potential impact of their work, saying, “You are the real heroes who, with your thoughts and big ideas, can shape the country’s future and make a difference.”

Ali Janbaz, Director of the Children and Adolescents Department at the Art Bureau, also highlighted the significance of games, stating, “Board games are a valuable form of entertainment that can drive us forward.” He noted Iran’s strong technical infrastructure in this field, mentioning its potential for exporting games to regional countries and its competitive edge in graphic design and printing.

“If serious work is done in the field of games and entertainment, it can yield significant and impactful results,” Janbaz asserted. He emphasized the collective achievement that brought success to the event, crediting the dedication of mentors who guided the participants.

During the ceremony, winners from various categories received their awards, representing 10 provinces including Qazvin, Yazd, Gilan, Qom, Hamedan, Khorasan Razavi, Isfahan, Fars, Semnan, and Tehran. The event concluded with the unveiling of a poster for the second edition, set to commence in September across Iran.

In an interview with the Tehran Times, Janbaz elaborated on the evolution of the Baazista event. “At first, we planned to hold this event solely in the field of game scriptwriting, believing that children and teenagers could greatly contribute,” he explained. However, the efforts of participants shifted the focus from stories to tangible products.

Janbaz emphasized the effectiveness of intellectual games in Iran, suggesting that they promote family cohesion and provide a collective entertainment experience. He acknowledged Iran’s capabilities in the board game sector, stating, “While we may not be highly advanced in the video game industry, in terms of board games, Iran is well-known in the region for its printing industry and possesses rich ancient narratives.”

“Baazista is a starting point for growth and empowerment,” he added, highlighting the potential for a professional community of game designers to emerge in the next decade. He also mentioned support initiatives for games designed by teenagers, noting the establishment of a Fund for Games and Entertainment.

Regarding distribution and audience engagement, Janbaz revealed plans to promote these games through schools and announced the upcoming Baazista Games League, where participants will act as ambassadors to expand the field.

Seyyed Ali Tabatabaei, another judge and mentor, praised the high quality of submissions, noting the challenges faced during the judging process. “Thanks to a continuous mentorship process over the past two years, the final games reached a high level of quality,” he noted. He expressed confidence that many of these games could enter the market within the next six months.

One notable winner, 18-year-old Hossein Beigi from Qazvin, received the Most Creative Board Game award for his game “Hegmataneh.” He shared insights about his journey in game design, explaining, “It is a two-player strategic war game based on the conflict between the Medes and the Assyrians.”

Beigi, already experienced in game design, plans to create a series under the title “Persian Empire,” each focusing on themes characteristic of different Iranian dynasties. He elaborated on the historical significance of his game, stating, “A major historical event during the Median era was the establishment of a central government in the city of Hegmataneh, considered the beginning of Iranian civilization.”

Looking ahead, Beigi is developing another game titled “Immortal Guard,” which focuses on the Achaemenid army. The Baazista events aim to teach game design, promote non-digital games, and engage with historical and national concepts.

The jury for the first edition of Baazista included esteemed figures such as Fatemeh Alaeddin, Hamed Taammoli, Seyyed Ali Tabatabaei, and Ali Edriszadeh. The event also featured virtual and in-person sessions across the provinces of Qazvin, Gilan, and Yazd, showcasing the vibrant creativity of Iran’s youth in game design.