CELEBRATING WOMEN
Masterminded by Turkish women
Women have been leaving their mark on the apps and games development scene in Turkey since the early days of the business. Here’s a selection of great apps and games, and the homegrown talents who brought them to life.
INNERJOY Meditasyon Rahat Uyku
Why we love it
For those who are beginning to venture into mindfulness and meditation, as well as seasoned practitioners who prefer guided sessions, Innerjoy is the perfect, everyday companion. Onboarding is straightforward and you can personalise everything from your goals and content to the timing of meditations. With over 700 sessions and programmes to explore, Innerjoy will help you navigate all the ups and downs of life.
Who’s behind it?
Burcu Yapar – co-founder and meditation and mindfulness professional.
What she says
“We will be able to speak of human-centred technology design only when women’s place in the tech world moves forward from solely being employees that add value to the companies they work for, to people who develop the technology, design it and realise their ideas.”
Moneye
Why we love it
Moneye stands out thanks to its AI-powered approach to coaching young people in building habits towards saving and eventually investing their money; something that’s particularly useful for those of us who struggle with budgeting properly each month. Through the use of a chat interface, the app uses a conversational tone to help users tackle various financial topics such as debt, savings and future planning – it’s an empowering way to put people in control of their finances.
Who’s behind it?
Özlem Denizmen – finance professional, financial literacy pioneer and founder of the Financial Literacy and Inclusion Association (FODER).
What she says
“You are your only limitation. Think big and bigger. So big that your dream intimidates you. If you want it, you can do it.”
Recontact Istanbul: Eyes of Sky
Why we love it
There’s so much to enjoy about this cinematographic, story-based puzzle game. It features a star-studded cast – led by award-winning Turkish actor Fikret Kuşkan – and the narrative was penned by prominent crime novelist Ahmet Ümit. You play the lead character, a police investigator working on a murder case, using your sharp eye for identifying suspects on CCTV footage, conducting tense interrogations and going through piles of audio-visual evidence. It’s as intriguing as it sounds!
Who’s behind it?
Simay Dinç – co-founder of Recontact Games and founder of Women in Games Turkey.
What she says
“Approaching game development not just as code writing but as a piece of interactive artwork will enable you to really feel the multidisciplinary power and impact of the industry. The moment when players interact with your work and become part of that virtual world, you forget all the hardships of the process.”
Studio+ Discover Live Courses
Why we love it
Remote learning is a hugely convenient way to enhance your day, and we can’t get enough of Studio+ (a wellbeing-focused education and training platform) and its array of courses that can be done at home, or wherever you are. All courses are conducted via live video calls by experts in fields such as mindfulness, yoga, nutrition, sports and much more. Subscribe, book the classes you want and take your place in the interactive classroom.
Who’s behind it?
Nilay Aydoğan – co-founder and CEO with a corporate background in technology and management.
What she says
“We all have stories and dreams to share with the world. The mobile scene is vital for women to convey these stories in their most human form, without letting their voices be dimmed while brushing aside the popular imposition of becoming a ‘super woman’.”
Kelimelik
Why we love it
This classic word game never fails to keep us entertained and that seems to be true for millions of active players in Turkey too. You can play against a random player or a friend, aiming to create words on the board and collect points. For added tension, you can set the game speed and decide on turn lengths – mark our words, coming up with options is a lot more interesting in a high-speed game!
Who’s behind it?
Neslihan Aydınoğlu – software developer and co-founder of He2 Apps.
What she says
“Game development is a multidisciplinary process combining coding, visual design, storytelling and audio design. Make sure you develop yourself in subjects outside of your expertise in order to have a base understanding of other disciplines. This will elevate your overall contribution to the project.”
Color N Roll
Why we love it
This mind-bending puzzle game usually leaves us flummoxed. In each level you’re given a combination of shapes and colours on a grid of nine squares and asked to replicate that combination by moving the pieces around. Sounds simple, but you need to be strategic as you have a limited number of moves if you want to get full points in each level. Pick between the easy and hard modes then start playing, all the while enjoying the relaxing soundtrack and fun, colourful graphics.
Who’s behind it?
Beyza Paksın – game designer, Apple Developer Academy alum and founder of Gizmo Labz – in collaboration with Su Ekin Demir, UI designer, and Neslihan Çor, co-founder of BNAPPS.
What she says
“I wake up everyday and despite all uncertainties, I say to myself, ‘You can do it. I believe you can do it.’”
Mindia
Why we love it
We like the simplicity of this mindfulness and meditation app that’s ideal and welcoming for newcomers. Following a quick onboarding, you can jump right in with the daily meditations, short mindfulness sessions and breathing exercises. There are programmes aimed at specific moods, times of the day and, of course, sleep. With a subscription you can access over 150 meditations and an array of exclusive content.
Who’s behind it?
Merve Karakuş – mindfulness teacher and founder and voice of Mindia.
If you are a woman looking to develop an app, find a theme that you’re passionate about, something that you know and enjoy doing; something that has meaning and value. Believe in yourself and take the stage with all your courage.
Merve Karakuş, Mindia