Saudi Arabia is aiming to become a major player in the world of game development, backed by its passion for gaming and esports. The kingdom has launched Gamers8, an eight-week festival of esports tournaments with a $45 million prize pool, designed to inspire local talent to create blockbuster games. This initiative aligns with the country’s national gaming and esports strategy, which emphasizes local game production and aims to position Saudi Arabia as a hub for game developers.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has played a pivotal role in fostering the gaming industry’s growth in Saudi Arabia, announcing a $38 billion investment strategy for the Savvy Games Group. The strategy is geared towards developing games that promote Saudi and Arabic culture, reflecting the country’s ambition to create internationally recognized games.

While Saudi Arabia’s gaming market shows great potential, the challenge lies in designing hit games that showcase Saudi culture effectively. The country currently has 25,000 developers, both Saudi and foreign, working on this challenge. They are drawing inspiration from Saudi characters already featured in global gaming franchises, such as Shaheen in Tekken and Rashid in Street Fighter.

The national strategy aims to have 30 globally competitive games produced by domestic studios by 2030. Already, some Saudi-made games have resonated with local players, sparking pride and enthusiasm among gamers in the country. With investment, training, and external expertise, Saudi Arabia is looking to make a significant mark in the global gaming and esports industry.

This strategic push aligns with the broader global trend of esports and gaming gaining immense popularity and economic significance and Saudi Arabia is aiming to position itself to be at the forefront of this cultural and economic phenomenon.