In Iraqi cafés, traditional games like dominoes and backgammon are more than a pastime – they’re a social glue, bringing people of all ages together over tea. Iraq has a rich gaming culture rooted in tradition. Long before video games or Pokémon cards, Iraqis were gathering in homes and coffeehouses to play games that have been passed down for generations. Backgammon – known locally as tawla – is practically a national pastime. In fact, backgammon’s ancestor, the Royal Game of Ur, was born in ancient Mesopotamia. Fast forward 5,000 years, and tawla remains integral to Iraqi culture, still played in homes and cafes across the country. Dominoes is another café favorite – it’s common to see friends jovially slapping down domino tiles in a lively competition. (One famous Baghdad coffeehouse, Al Shabandar, even banned games like dominoes and backgammon not because they were unpopular, but because they were too popular – the owner wanted to preserve a quiet literary atmosphere!)
Iraqi families also enjoy traditional social games at home. Carrom, a strike-and-pocket board game akin to pool (brought to the region through South Asian influence), can be found in some households, and of course, everyone knows classics like chess or card games with regular playing cards. The key thread is that playing games has always been a communal activity – a way to bond with relatives, neighbors, and new acquaintances. Whether it’s an older generation gathering for mejlis with tea, or kids inventing their own street games, the spirit of play runs deep.
Culture
Gaming in Iraq: Past, Present & Future
However, the landscape of play is expanding. In the last decade, Iraq’s youth have been exposed to a flood of global gaming culture. Satellite TV, the internet, and social media have introduced anime, superheroes, and international game franchises to young Iraqis. Modern video gaming in particular has exploded in popularity. Titles like FIFA and Call of Duty are played in living rooms and internet cafes across the country. The most vivid example is PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) – a mobile battle-royale game so wildly popular that Iraq’s younger generation earned the nickname the “PUBG generation.” It became a mega-sensation in Iraq, with thousands of youth spending hours in online battlefields (often using the game’s voice chat as a social hangout). This shows that the hunger for interactive entertainment among Iraqi youth is real and ever-growing.
Now, consider the collector culture. Traditionally, collecting in Iraq might have meant stamps, coins, or soccer cards from snack packets. But today’s young Iraqis see the craze for Pokémon cards, Yu-Gi-Oh! decks, Funko Pop figures, and more sweeping the globe. On YouTube and TikTok, they watch influencers show off rare Charizard cards or limited-edition figurines. That spark has been lit here too – we hear from teens in Baghdad trading Pokémon cards in school yards, and hobbyist groups in Erbil painting Warhammer miniatures. Yet, these are happening on a very limited scale, often with imitation products due to lack of supply. There have been virtually no official outlets or events for these hobbies in Iraq… until now. Majestic Heights wants to take these latent interests and give them a platform. We’re here to cultivate an Iraqi community of collectors and hobby gamers, so that a kid in Basra who loves Pokémon can attend a local card tournament instead of just watching one on the internet.
Importantly, we plan to do this while respecting Iraqi culture and values. Our approach is family-friendly and inclusive. We know that Iraqi parents value activities that are wholesome and educational for their children – so we will highlight games that build skills and social bonds. We also respect local customs: for example, we select game artwork and themes mindful of cultural sensitivities (avoiding inappropriate content). The idea is to introduce new forms of fun, without alienating the deeply rooted traditions. In fact, we’re big believers that modern hobbies can co-exist with traditional ones. Imagine a community center in Najaf where elders play backgammon in one corner while youth duel in a card game tournament in another – both generations laughing and learning from each other. That’s the kind of cultural harmony through play that we strive for.