"Game Development — The Only Industry in the World That Has Grown Three Times Faster Than Global GDP for Decades" — Akmal Salikhov on Why One Should Start a Career in Game Development

Video games have evolved far beyond mere entertainment — today, they represent one of the fastest-growing sectors in the technology industry. In recent years, game development has increasingly attracted the attention of young developers and startups eager to create games that capture both local and international markets.

 

Uzbekistan is witnessing a surge of interest in game development. New studios are emerging, educational programs in the IT sector are expanding, and organizations such as IT Park are providing support to developers, helping turn innovative ideas into successful commercial projects. Game development is becoming a crucial driver of innovation, creating new job opportunities and enhancing the country’s technological capabilities on the global stage.  

 

To gain insight into the growth of the gaming industry in Uzbekistan, we spoke with Akmal Salikhov, Development Director at East Games studio. In the interview, he shared his unique journey, explained how music became his gateway into game development, highlighted the three key reasons that inspired him to pursue this career, and discussed the future prospects of the video game industry in the country, among other topics.   

 

 

How did your journey in the gaming industry begin?

 

I have been involved in Uzbekistan’s gaming industry since 2010. Before entering game development, I spent many years immersed in music and had a passion for artistic videography.

 

From a young age, I was deeply passionate about music. I started composing my first tracks at the age of 12. I was what you might call a computer musician, creating electronic music in the Downtempo genre. I believe that anyone who writes music on a computer inevitably becomes an IT enthusiast — managing dozens of audio tracks and hundreds of sound effects is somewhat similar to visual programming.

 

At 17, I decided to turn my passion for music into a business. Together with a friend, I opened a recording studio, and a year and a half later, we launched a second, larger one. Interestingly, some of the first hits of Uzbekistan’s most popular boy band, Ummon, including “Sokin Tun”, were recorded in our studio.

 

While running the studio, I also released my debut music album in 2008. I may have been the first Uzbek artist to release an album on iTunes — back then, getting music onto digital stores was no easy feat. After reaching out to over 30 record labels, I ultimately chose Magnatune, a California-based publisher that helped me break into the international market.

 

Despite my best efforts, I didn’t earn significant income from the album. However, it did earn me recognition among game developers. That same year, my music began being used by iPhone game developers. I started collaborating closely with this team, creating sound effects and composing music for their projects. Over the course of four years, I transitioned from a sound designer to an art director, eventually leading some of the studio’s largest projects.  

 

What Inspired You to Pursue a Career in Game Development?

 

Beyond my profound love for music, I identified three key factors that motivated me to build a career in the gaming industry:

1. Access to the Global Market. I have always been intrigued by the opportunity to export creative products while remaining in Uzbekistan. In my view, video games are the most fascinating form of creative product.
2. The Fusion of Creativity and Technology. As a musician with a strong interest in technology, I wanted to dive deeper into innovative tech. Games offer the perfect balance of creativity and technology, and this field is constantly evolving, making it endlessly exciting.
3. A Rapidly Expanding Industry. While the music industry has been declining for years, the gaming industry has demonstrated continuous growth since its inception. In fact, game development is the only industry in the world that has grown three times faster than global GDP over the past several decades. 

 

https://www.matthewball.co/all/stateofvideogaming2025

 

What Are Your Thoughts on The Prospects for Gamedev in Uzbekistan by 2025?

 

Considering the steady global expansion of the gaming industry, Uzbekistan is inevitably becoming part of this movement. Over the past five years, I have observed substantial progress in the country's gaming sector. A key factor contributing to this growth is the establishment of IT Park and the introduction of tax incentives for IT companies. Since game development studios qualify as IT enterprises, they also benefit from these incentives.

 

Another significant milestone has been the emergence of East Games in the Uzbekistan’s market. While game studios have existed in the country for many years, they primarily focused on creating small mobile games. East Games is the first major studio in Uzbekistan to engage in the development of large-scale international projects for PC and gaming consoles.   

 

I am confident that the gaming industry in Uzbekistan will continue to expand, leading to a notable increase in locally developed game titles. While I do not anticipate an immediate surge — given that game development is long-term process — I expect that within the next five years, the number of locally produced games will multiply significantly. This expansion will naturally drive demand for skilled professionals in the game development sector.

 

How to Begin and Advance a Career in Game Development?

 

When I began my journey in game development, there were only 2-3 studios in the country, and access to self-learning resources was extremely limited.

 

 

Today, the situation is much more favorable. Universities and educational centers in Uzbekistan have introduced specialized courses in game development. Additionally, self-taught professionals can now access thousands of video tutorials and hundreds of online courses. However, most of this educational content is available in English or Russian. Unfortunately, there is very little material in Uzbek, so I strongly recommend learning English or Russian for anyone aspiring to join the industry. 

 

Entering the gaming industry is possible even with minimal experience. Many studios offer entry-level positions, such as internships and if you have slightly more experience, you might qualify for a junior role.

 

 

When starting out, it is also crucial to identify a career path that aligns with your skills. Some of the most accessible starting positions include game tester, developer, or artist. There is a common perception that internships are long-term, unpaid positions for gaining experience. However, at East Games, all internships are fully paid positions with the same benefits as regular employees.  

 

If your skills are not yet sufficient for an internship or junior position, or if you are unable to find a suitable job opening, I recommend working on small independent game projects and participating in game development competitions such as hackathons and game jams. 

 

 

At East Games and IT Park, we organize such events annually and also offer specialized training programs. One notable initiative is East Games Start, which has enabled dozens of 3D artists to enhance their skills in creating realistic 3D models for games.

 

Since last year, East Games has also been supporting GameDev Goethe, a game development incubator where participants work on their own game projects over a three-month period. In my view, GameDev Goethe represents one of the most effective pathways for entering the game development industry in Uzbekistan. 

 

Which Professions Will Be in High Demand in Game Development by 2025?

 

The core disciplines essential to game development will remain in consistent demand, including: game design, art, programming, UI/UX, and testing. These roles will remain essential. However, there will also be a growing demand for hybrid professions that combine different fields. For example, AI Concept Artist, who will use generative AI tools to create visual concepts for games. Despite these emerging roles, most new professions will evolve from the core specializations listed above.    

 

What Skills Are Required for These Professions? What Are the Salaries and Where to Find Job Opportunities?

 

 

When asked about the necessary skills for game development, I always enjoy providing an answer that resonates with many: play games. However, it’s crucial to play strategically — learn to approach games not as a consumer but as a potential creator. Analyze games, pay attention to how they are designed, watch reviews, and study their development processes. If, instead of watching cat videos on YouTube, you explore how your favorite game was created — congratulations, you’ve taken the first step in the right direction. 

 

In terms of salaries, compensation in the gaming industry is generally comparable to the broader IT sector. As is well-known, IT salaries in Uzbekistan tend to be higher than in many other fields. What distinguishes the game development from other IT sectors is the bonus system. Game studios often reward their employees with substantial bonuses when their projects achieve success. This year, all our employees received bonuses. Thus, working in game development is not only intellectually stimulating but also financially rewarding.  

 

 

Job openings can be found on job search platforms such as hh.uz and it-market, as well as in developer communities and specialized chats. I frequently come across vacancies in the GameDev Goethe chat. If you are interested in opportunities at East Games, our Telegram channel is an excellent resource to stay updated on new openings. At the moment, we are hiring for more than five different roles.