Project Simurgh
A New Legend Begins
Project Simurgh is a 2D narrative tactical RPG based on the Persian epic, the Shahnameh. It is designed as a premium, episodic game for mobile and PC, targeting a culturally-aware audience. This hub outlines the strategic vision, market analysis, and development plan for this unique indie title.
Game Concept
A story-driven, 2D tactical RPG that brings the tales of the Shahnameh to an interactive medium, starting with the epic love story of "Zal and Rudabeh."
Target Platforms
A dual-release strategy focusing on Mobile (iOS/Android) for the core regional market and PC (Steam) for the global and diaspora audience.
Business Model
A premium, episodic model. Players purchase each story chapter, ensuring a high-quality, ad-free experience and a sustainable development cycle.
Market & Audience
The project targets a passionate niche with significant growth potential, blending a large domestic market with a highly motivated global diaspora.
Mobile Dominance in Iran
Over 96% of Iran's 34 million gamers play on mobile, making it the primary platform for the core market.
Market Size Potential
The domestic Iranian market is substantial, complemented by a strong and engaged diaspora.
Target Audience Segments
The Cultural Millennial
Ages 22-38, this digitally native group has deep nostalgia for the Shahnameh and seeks to experience it in a modern, intelligent format. They are the cultural trendsetters and core audience.
Motivation: Nostalgia meets Modernity
Platforms: Mobile, PC (Steam)
The Game Blueprint
The game design is centered around a feasible scope for a solo developer, prioritizing narrative depth and strategic gameplay over complex real-time action.
Core Gameplay Loop
The player experience cycles between three key phases, creating a balanced rhythm of story, strategy, and exploration.
Narrative Scene
Advance the story through beautiful, illustrated scenes with meaningful dialogue choices.
Strategic Combat
Engage in turn-based tactical battles on a 2D grid where decisions matter more than reflexes.
Exploration
Make decisions on a 2D map, discovering side stories and new locations.
Genre: Tactical RPG
This choice emphasizes strategy and story, a perfect fit for the Shahnameh's epic scale. It is also highly feasible for a solo developer, as it reduces the animation workload and simplifies game balancing compared to a real-time action game.
Art Direction
AI-assisted 2D art will create a painterly style that evokes Persian miniatures with a modern aesthetic. The focus is on high-quality static assets: expressive portraits, detailed sprites, and lush backgrounds.
Business & Go-to-Market Plan
A straightforward premium model ensures financial feasibility and aligns with the target audience's expectations for quality indie games.
Model: Premium Episodic
The game will be sold in self-contained chapters. This model provides a clear value proposition for players and allows development of future episodes to be funded by the success of previous ones.
- No ads, no microtransactions.
- Builds a direct relationship with the audience.
- Financially and logistically feasible for a solo dev.
Pricing Strategy
Episode 1 will be priced as a premium indie title, reflecting its quality and depth.
Phased Go-to-Market Strategy
Phase 1: Community Building
Engage early with the Persian-speaking gaming community on Instagram and Telegram. Share development progress and build a core, passionate following.
Phase 2: Global Outreach
With a polished trailer, begin outreach to international indie game press and influencers, highlighting the unique cultural story.
Phase 3: Platform Launch
Utilize Steam wishlists and App Store pre-orders to maximize launch day impact and visibility.
Development Roadmap
The path forward is focused on tangible milestones that build towards a successful first episode launch.
Prototype Development
Create a playable vertical slice containing one narrative scene and one combat encounter. This will validate the core gameplay loop and serve as a foundational block for the rest of the game.
Art Style Finalization
Use AI tools to generate and refine a definitive art style for characters, environments, and UI. Establish a consistent and compelling visual identity for the project.
Community Kickstart
Launch social media channels (Instagram, Telegram, Twitter/X) and begin sharing the project's vision, concept art, and development progress to build an initial community of supporters.