The global gaming industry continues its remarkable growth, and the region is following suit. Mostar is increasingly carving out its place on the map of this dynamic and creative sector. On Monday, April 28, 2025, the CBC GAIN project hosted the meetup “Game Dev Ecosystem in the Region”, gathering numerous enthusiasts, professionals, and video game development aficionados.
Gaming Development Center Opens at INTERA TP
The event was held in the newly opened Gaming Development Center within INTERA Technology Park, a modern facility dedicated to education, collaboration, and innovation in game development. Vedran Šimunović, Director of INTERA TP, opened the event by presenting the goals of the CBC GAIN project — to establish an effective game development ecosystem, stimulate technological innovation, and strengthen the regional gaming industry’s market potential.
Industry Voices: Insights from Experts
Attendees had the opportunity to hear valuable insights from seasoned professionals.
Domagoj Crnković, a veteran storywriter and game designer, shared his experiences in developing game dev incubators and stressed the importance of regional cooperation.
Igor Čarapina from the company Rolla spoke about their approach to gamification and product development, while Ivan Tadić from Bajtbox highlighted how content creators can support the local tech and gaming community through online platforms such as YouTube.
Supporting Growth: Rolla and Bajtbox
“Rolla is gamified in every sense. The idea is to turn everyday habits into motivational experiences that encourage personal growth in the health and fitness space. Beyond the main app, we’ve also built Rolla World, a virtual environment where users can cycle or run through their avatars,” said Čarapina.
“We’re truly excited to see this Gaming Development Center launch right here. It’s a top-tier initiative, not just for Mostar, but for the wider region. The gaming industry is massive, and this is an important step in placing Mostar on the gaming map.”
Ivan Tadić echoed the sentiment:
“From the very start of our channel, we’ve supported local development, offering ad space free of charge to help promote homegrown businesses. What INTERA TP is doing is monumental — it opens doors for gaming studios, independent developers, and freelancers. A whole new industry segment is emerging, one that will create jobs and position Mostar as a potential hub for video game development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
A Growing Industry with Regional Momentum
Domagoj Crnković expressed his admiration for the Gaming Development Center’s facilities and potential:
“This center will undoubtedly serve a wide range of professionals in the IT sector, from app developers to visual and audio designers. There’s room for everyone here.”
He added that the local industry has seen impressive growth in recent years:
“Since the pandemic, the progress in Herzegovina has been striking. The numbers are in gaming’s favor, and the trend is only moving upward.”
Panel Discussion: Building the Ecosystem
The centerpiece of the event was a panel titled “How to Build a Strong Gaming Ecosystem in Mostar”, moderated by Vedran Šimunović and featuring all guest speakers. The discussion addressed key areas such as education, infrastructure, technology accessibility, and the role of community in fostering long-term industry growth.
Tech Within Reach
The event concluded with a guided tour of the Gaming Development Center, where visitors could try out VR equipment, gaming consoles, and other advanced technologies that will soon be available to all users.
The CBC GAIN Meetup is another step forward in establishing Mostar as a regional player in game development and an open invitation to young creatives to bring their ideas to life — right here in Mostar.
For more information about the CBC GAIN project and the Gaming Development Center’s activities, visit the official website of the INTERA Technology Park.
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A IPA Programme Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021–2027.