Sony Launches "Hero Project" in Morocco to Support Local Game Developers
This article reports on Sony Interactive Entertainment's launch of the Middle East North Africa Hero Project (MENA Hero Project) in Morocco, aimed at supporting local game developers through mentorship, training, and investment. It highlights the program's goals of fostering talent and innovation in the gaming industry, drawing parallels with similar initiatives in China and India. The article also discusses the Moroccan government's growing interest in the gaming sector, including plans for a "Gaming City" in Rabat and the potential economic impact of this initiative. Additionally, it addresses recent trends in the global video game industry, including challenges and opportunities for growth.
HASSAN BENYOUB 
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has announced the launch of the Middle East North Africa Hero Project (MENA Hero Project), extending its mentorship, training, and investment program for video game talents to Morocco and the MENA region.The goal of the Hero Project is to identify promising talents and support them in developing new games, offering a diversity of content and supporting the growth of the video game industry, where Sony is a leader in the next-generation console segment with the Playstation 5.
Opportunities for Moroccan Game Developers
Moroccan game developers can now submit their applications to the program through the following link. The Hero Project was previously launched in China (China Hero Project) and India (India Hero Project), resulting in the creation of several original games.Some notable games developed through these programs include:
- ANNO: Mutationem (PS5, PS4, Switch, PC)
- F.I.S.T: Forged in Shadow Torch (PS5, PS4, Steam PC)
- Lost Soul Aside (PS5, PS4, PC)
- Fishbowl (PS5, PC)
- Requital: Gates of Blood (PS5, PC)
- Mukti (PC, PS5)
These games cover multiple platforms, including Sony's consoles, PC, and sometimes the Nintendo Switch.
Growing Interest in Morocco's Gaming Industry
The Moroccan government has also shown increasing interest in the video game industry. In 2021, Mehdi Bensaïd, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, announced plans to create a gaming ecosystem in Morocco that could generate several billion dirhams.The minister also announced the upcoming construction of the "Gaming City" in Rabat with a budget of 260 million dirhams. The government has supported the organization of the first Moroccan Gaming Expo and several private initiatives, backed by telecom operators Maroc Telecom, Orange, and Inwi.
Global Video Game Industry Trends
The global video game industry generated $184 billion in revenue in 2022, far surpassing the movie and music industries at $26 billion. However, the sector's growth has slowed in recent years due to rising interest rates, increased development costs, and a backlash following a period of financial speculation during the COVID-19 pandemic.This has resulted in a wave of layoffs that have heavily impacted the industry in 2023 and 2024. Despite these challenges, the video game sector remains highly competitive, offering content across mobile, console, and PC platforms, catering to diverse audiences, and employing various business models such as free-to-play, subscriptions, and online and offline purchases.
