TEHRAN — Iran’s millions-strong legion of gamers revel in online worlds, but they have to fight daily real-life obstacles imposed by US sanctions in their quest to level up and keep playing.
“It’s a problem between governments and a pain for the consumer,” said 24-year-old gamer and game journalist Amir Golkhani.
“We have no political demands. We just want to play,” he told AFP.
Sanctions reimposed in 2018 by former US president Donald Trump do not directly target the gaming industry.
TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
But the risk of punitive measures prevents companies from offering services to Iranians.
At shops near central Tehran’s Imam Khomeini square, the situation appears normal — shelves are stocked with the latest games and consoles.
