UMX Studio CEO Ali Alharbi on their upcoming game, company expansion and MENA opportunities

• "Our two games have soared to 70 million downloads, with the MENA region leading the charge."
• "In 2024, we’re introducing an exciting new title while simultaneously finalising funding and strategic investments to bolster Saudi Arabia’s thriving ecosystem"

Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan returns on November 9th and 10th, 2024, offering you a chance to gain insights into the world’s fastest-growing games market, MENA. As part of our run up, we spoke with UMX Studio's CEO and founder Ali Alharbi to discuss the company's next big title and the vast opportunities and challenges facing game developers in MENA.

Alharbi also gave us a glimpse of the MENA's funding landscape and how financial support is shaping the industry as UMX aims to become a top developer in the region.

PocketGamer.biz: Tell us a bit about UMX Studio and what you’re up to right now. 

Ali Alharbi: Headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, UMX Studio is a game development studio that launched its debut mobile game in June 2014. We boast two highly successful titles: KOS (King Of Steering), which debuted in 2016, and CSD (Climbing Sand Dune), which had its initial release in 2014.

These games have garnered an impressive two million monthly active users. As we continue to provide ongoing support for these existing titles, we are also excited to announce the upcoming release of a new game later this year. 

How many staff do you currently employ and where are they based? 

Our team comprises over 70 professionals, including game developers, artists, game directors, game designers, marketing experts, live operations specialists, and quality assurance and player services personnel. They are based in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India. 

Tell us about your offices in Egypt and India. What has the experience been like operating in these regions and how do you maintain a company culture across borders? 

Expanding to India and Egypt has been a transformative journey for us. These new offices have brought us closer to talented individuals. Maintaining our company culture is a top priority as well and we achieve this through open and regular communication and collaboration between all our offices. 

How are you contributing to the local gaming communities in MENA? Do you look for local talent?

Since our inception, we’ve championed local talent and we remain committed to this path. Some of our talented individuals continue to collaborate with us, while others who once worked at UMX have gone on to work with prominent industry names. 

How have your games been received internationally?

Just like the sands of the Arabian desert, UMX Studio’s journey has been remarkable. Our two games have soared to 70 million downloads, with the MENA region leading the charge. But our vision extends beyond borders as nearly 20% of our players hail from global corners. Now, with our upcoming masterpiece Drift X, we’re setting our sights on captivating players worldwide. 

What inspired you to prioritise creating games with cinematic style? 

UMX Studio draws its creative energy from the heart of Saudi Arabia, weaving captivating narratives into extraordinary games. With cinematic, photo-realistic visuals and gameplay that intrigues players, we emerged onto the scene in 2014. Our games reflect the rich tapestry of Saudi culture and the mesmerising beauty of its environment. 

What do you see as the current opportunities and challenges facing the games industry in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region? 

In the nascent realm of Saudi Arabia’s game industry, a symphony of potential unfolds. Here, the seeds of creativity take root, nurtured by a burgeoning ecosystem fueled by government support and the passion of young talents. The opportunities for example include but is not limited to:

• Game Development and Publishing
• E-Sports
• Servers and Cloud
• Localization
• Content Creation 

Yet, challenges loom like distant mountains. The quest for experts, the uncharted terrain of an emerging industry - these are riddles awaiting solutions. Fear not, for time is our ally, and persistence our compass. With unwavering resolve, we shall unravel every enigma, forging a legacy that transcends pixels and code. 

You aim to become the number one gaming studio in MENA by 2026. How do you plan to achieve this while competing with other top game developers in the region? 

In 2024, we’re introducing an exciting new title while simultaneously finalising funding and strategic investments to bolster Saudi Arabia’s thriving ecosystem, the largest market in the region. And that will help us to be top.

Tell us more about funding and support for gaming studios in MENA, what has been your experience navigating the funding landscape? 

There is a challenge to secure funds. Most VCs and investors do not understand the industry. However, these days that has changed for the better, and I expect soon, there will be rounds for a gaming company in the MENA region. 

What are your plans for 2024 and the coming year? Will you be exploring new platforms? And are there any specific initiatives or projects on the horizon that we should look forward to? 

Aside from launching a new title later this year, we anticipate securing funding to bolster our strategic initiatives, which will propel us toward our goal of becoming the leading gaming company in the MENA region by 2026.

You can stay up-to-date with UMX Studios via the company's official TikTok, Instagram and YouTube pages.

Want to know what's hot in MENA? Be part of Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan on November 9th and 10th, 2024. You can secure your Super Early Bird ticket today to guarantee your spot and discover what makes this such a vibrant video games hub and network with the global industry.

What can you expect at PG Connects Jordan 2024? 

From insightful keynote speeches and interactive panel discussions to hands-on workshops and networking opportunities, the event is always a hub of innovation, creativity, and collaboration. Gain valuable insights from industry veterans, discover the latest games industry trends, and make connections that could propel your business to new heights.

Don't miss out on savings of up to £300 - book your tickets before June 28th. Prices will increase after this date, so act now to ensure you don't miss the chance to grab your tickets at their lowest price! Tickets are available via the official event website.