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Tag: Saudi Arabia
Esports World Cup
Esports World Cup 2026 relocates from Saudi Arabia to Paris amid regional uncertainty
Partnership Extension
Qiddiya expands Google Cloud partnership to build AI-powered gaming and entertainment city
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Play To Learn
Savvy Games Group wraps Saudi 'Play to Learn' competition with 719,000 students involved
The competition involved 7,705 schools and more than 36,000 instructors across Saudi Arabia
Esports World Cup
Esports World Cup reportedly set for Paris move amid Middle East conflict
The Esports Nations Cup is still scheduled for Riyadh in November
Deal Analysis
Why the Savvy-Roblox deal lands differently in Saudi Arabia
A look at why Savvy Games Group has cut a deal with popular UGC platform Roblox despite local restrictions and global allegations around child safety
Marvellous Mena
How Nimble Fox Games is building a hybridcasual studio around speed, but not chaotic speed
Founder Qasim Ali on building a Saudi pipeline, killing games fast and why quality alone is not enough
Government Backing
The UK's games hub gets a boost in the face of global competition
A look at UK and global incentives for the games industry and their impact
Anniversary
Starvania Studios CEO reflects on four years of growth, Bahamut breakthrough and what comes next
“We once nearly lost hope of getting Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree to the finish line, and now it is an award-winning success across multiple platforms”
Gearing Up
Exel Gaming Accelerator reopens with up to $300,000 in funding for third cohort
The programme is particularly designed for startups looking to grow in Saudi Arabia
Master Plan
Savvy Games Group's CEO on M&A, China and rising Eastern influence
We speak to Brian Ward about how it works with its growing empire, Scopely's freedom, and opportunities in growing sectors like UGC
Strategic Move
Saudi Arabia acquires a fresh 5.03% stake in Capcom through EGDC
The investment is positioned as a financial play targeting capital gains and dividends
Marvellous Mena
"The market, both in MENA and at a global scale, is becoming increasingly competitive"
Steer Studios CEO Yannick Theler on recognition, building global IP from the KSA and balancing live service ambitions in MENA
Job News
Exel by Merak appoints Faisal Sedrani as CEO to lead its next growth phase
The accelerator is expanding beyond games into a broader multi-sector innovation mandate aligned with Vision 2030
Investment Shift
Saudi Arabia's PIF transfers $3bn Take-Two Stake to Savvy Games Group
The move consolidates Saudi Arabia’s global gaming investments under Savvy
Marvellous Mena
19 MENA startups graduate from the second Exel by Merak accelerator cohort
Each startup will receive $300,000 in funding plus mentorship and global network access
Esports Nations Cup
Esports Nations Cup 2026 reveals first eight titles
Mobile leads the charge with Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang fronting the initial lineup
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with NMBRS to boost Saudi Arabia’s games and esports creative capabilities
As part of the partnership, NMBRS will establish a local operations presence in Riyadh
Global Games Show
Global Games Show Riyadh 2026 returns to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 games ambitions
The Riyadh edition will bring together developers, publishers, investors, and esports leaders for two days of talks, demos, and networking
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoUs with Saudi Ministry of Education for games and esports programs
The agreements aim to integrate games education into national curricula and formal learning frameworks nationwide
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with Alfaisal University to launch new game design program
The program will be jointly delivered by Alfaisal University and Savvy Academy, blending academic teaching with industry expertise
New Partnerships
Saudi Esports Federation signs deals with Yalla Group to support esports growth
The partnerships align with Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy
Marvellous Mena
Level Up Gaming CEO Mohammed Habbab on why capital alone won’t build successful studios
“The investors who will win here are the ones who treat gaming as a long-term asset class, not a short-term content play”
Esports World Cup
Esports World Cup 2026 to feature a $75m total prize pool
The winning Club will earn $7m as part of the expanded Club Championship payouts
Esports Growth
Esports World Cup Foundation unveils national team framework for Esports Nations Cup 2026
At least $20m per year will be committed to supporting national team programmes
Funding News
NEOM selects five studios for funding in expanded Level Up accelerator
An additional 18 studios will join an expanded mentorship phase, marking the programme’s largest cycle to date
Best Of 2025
Isa Muhammad's top stories of 2025: Saudi Arabia’s $55bn EA bid, Roblox growth, Netflix’s Warner Bros gamble, and more
PocketGamer.biz MENA reporter Isa Muhammad revisits his top stories from 2025
Marvellous Mena
Level Up expands into game publishing with Level Up Gaming
The publisher has already signed four games, with projects originating from the US, Finland, and Saudi Arabia
Acqusitions
EA shareholders approve $55bn sale to a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s PIF
Following the acquisition, the PIF will own 93.4% of Electronic Arts, taking the company private after more than 40 years
Funding News
Qwacks secures $480,000 to advance game development and live ops technology
Investment will accelerate plans to scale its platform and expand across Saudi Arabia and the wider region
Marvellous Mena
Steer Studios CEO Yannick Theler on Tom and Jerry Blast, building talent, and next year's ambitions
"I think AI will continue to be an important part of the conversation in the new year. It is nothing new in one sense, but AI is here to stay"
New Offerings
Gamez Quest launches to deliver premium Arabic localisation for global publishers
The studio provides localisation services across PC, console, mobile and VR
Acqusitions
Saudi Arabia’s PIF set to own 93.4% of EA in proposed takeover
The transaction is expected to close within six to nine months
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group and King Saud University team up to develop future talent for Saudi Arabia's games and esports sector
The MoU creates a framework for joint initiatives in skill development, knowledge exchange, and industry exposure
Possible Acqusition
Report: ByteDance is exploring the sale of Moonton to Savvy Games Group
The talks revive a previously paused plan to offload the Mobile Legends maker
Ambition Check
Saudi Arabia’s PIF reportedly short on fresh capital for new investments
Insiders say much of the fund’s wealth is tied up in illiquid megaprojects like Neom
Marvellous Mena
Exel by Merak welcomes 19 startups for Cohort 2 accelerator
Cohort 2 spans mobile, PC, and console projects with completion set for February 2026
Marvellous Mena
DaFluffs Games founder on leveraging early funding to scale global mobile games
“We see a huge appetite for games that feel global but carry subtle local touches”
Buyout Concerns
CWA urges federal review of $55bn PIF-led EA buyout
CWA President Claude Cummings Jr warned the deal could harm workers, consumers, and the wider US games industry
New Offerings
Saudi Arabia launches Riyadh Season-themed entertainment experiences on Roblox
Developed with UGC creator The Gang, the experience brings Boulevard City and Boulevard World to life in Roblox
Marvellous Mena
HYS Games CEO Husam Suwaid on growing beyond mobile and pursuing triple-A creativity
"We’re pursuing our lifelong passion by developing our first large-scale flagship title for PC and console"
Marvellous Mena
Copa Fantasy CEO Abdullah Eid on building MENA’s football super-app for global fans
“We’ve created a platform that feels culturally relevant while also appealing to global audiences”
Behind The Curtain
Who are EA's new owners?
A look at Saudi Arabia's PIF, Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners, and Unity investor Silver Lake
Game Jam
Saudi Arabia launches the second edition of the Saudi Game Champions Program
Each startup will receive $53,000, mentorship from global experts, and training support
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with Alinma Bank to deliver tailored banking solutions for Saudi gamers
The partnership aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy
Marvellous Mena
Saudi-based Superbullet Studios aims to let anyone build Roblox games in three days
Founder Erickson Talaue and team are developing EvoLife as both a flagship Roblox game and proof of its AI workflow
Marvellous Mena
Merak Capital on investor expectations and taking MENA game studios global
"A common mistake we see is founders focusing entirely on the game’s creative vision without tying it to the commercial side"
Funding News
HYS Games raises $300k to accelerate development on upcoming flagship title
The project is described as a daring double-A game with triple-A ambition
Funding News
Evolite Studio secures $300k to accelerate development of its next game Noor
Noor is a top-down action game rooted in Arabian mythology
Funding News
Symmetric Studio secures $300k to grow debut title Valley of Fog
The game blends dungeon crawling with city building in a hybrid casual experience