by Burak Akinci
ANKARA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- In the heart of Ankara's bustling Kizilay district, Angel Internet Cafe is one of the few remaining survivors in the once-thriving industry.
For the equivalent of less than two U.S. dollars, customers can enjoy hours of gaming in a cool, dimly lit environment, a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos outside.
In Türkiye, internet cafes were once a booming industry, particularly popular among young people. However, the rise of mobile gaming and soaring operational costs have put many businesses at risk of survival.
"After the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the development of technologies, in Ankara some 500 Internet cafes have closed down," Demir Basar, the owner of Angel Internet Cafe and also the vice-president of Ankara's Internet Cafe Owners' Association, told Xinhua.
"Today there is only a small number of internet cafes left because of high operational costs and the rise of games," he added.
In their heyday during the mid-1990s, internet cafes were more than just gaming hubs, they were social gathering spots where people bonded over online battles and shared digital experiences at a time when personal computers and home internet access were still a luxury.
However, their dominance has waned with the spread of high-speed internet and the explosion of mobile gaming, which offers accessibility and affordability without the need for high-end equipment.
To adapt, some cafes have pivoted toward high-end gaming, investing in cutting-edge computers and gaming setups. However, this shift requires huge investment, Basar explained.
"To do so, you have to upgrade your equipment every year, which is driving costs through the roof -- on top of expenses like rent, electricity, and taxes," he said.
In his view, rising expenses, mobile internet and COVID-19 have decimated the industry.
"Kizilay is the busiest place in Ankara, and even here there are only 10 internet cafes left," Basar added.
Nationwide, the numbers paint a grim picture. The total count of internet cafes in Türkiye has plummeted from 27,000 to fewer than 5,000, according to Ilhan Taskiran, president of the Istanbul Internet Cafe Owners' Association.
In Istanbul alone, the number of internet cafes has declined by 80 percent in recent years, largely due to the rise of mobile gaming, he told semi-official Anadolu Agency.
Some loyal patrons still cherish the communal atmosphere that only a gaming cafe can provide.
Kutay Can Corman, a young staff member at Angel Internet Cafe, said the social interaction in the cafe is irreplaceable. "The feeling of playing a game in your house is very different from playing with a group of friends," he said. ■
