How Saudi Arabia Is Accelerating Growth in Gaming and Esports

The gaming industry in Saudi Arabia has been growing rapidly with the support of significant investments, amounting to $37 billion, from the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. Savvy Games Group, a Riyadh-based company, is a key player in the country’s gaming ambitions, having acquired several gaming companies, including Scopely, and invested heavily in esports.

The results so far have been impressive, with Scopely’s mobile game Monopoly Go generating over $2 billion in revenue in its first 10 months. However, to achieve its goal of creating a financial empire in gaming, Saudi Arabia needs to focus on developing its own gaming talent.

Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Challenges
Saudi Arabia’s conservative values and limited entertainment options in the past have made it challenging to attract talent in gaming and esports. However, the country’s young population, with 67% of the population considering themselves gamers, presents an opportunity for growth.

Accelerating Talent Development
To tap into this potential, Saudi Arabia needs to accelerate talent development in gaming and esports. One approach is to encourage partnerships between local gaming startups and international gaming companies, providing access to funding and expertise. This approach is already being explored, with companies like Kwalee working with Saudi startups to develop new games.

Looking to the Future
Despite the challenges, Savvy Games Group’s CEO, Brian Ward,