NEOM has selected five Saudi game studios for funding under its Level Up accelerator, marking the programme’s largest ever cycle
Gaming industry
Moscow Game Hub opens with pitch to MENA developers seeking global growth
World’s first full-cycle gaming and animation development complex launches in Moscow with a strong appeal to Middle East studios looking for market access, lower costs and advanced production facilities
Arab gaming talent to benefit from new regional partnership
Playbook and the Arab Esports Federation join forces to offer gamers across 20 Arab countries access to world-class learning, leadership, and entrepreneurship programmes
Dubai hits ‘Play’ on film and gaming revolution to boost creative economy
Dubai Media Council presses start on new film and gaming committees to strengthen creative industries and boost media innovation
UAE gaming regulator CEO Kevin Mullally steps down, chairman Jim Murren named interim chief
The board has appointed chairman Jim Murren as interim CEO, effective immediately
ESL FACEIT Group opens new regional headquarters in Riyadh amid Saudi eSports boom
The launch marks a major step in EFG’s long-term commitment to the Kingdom and its rapidly expanding esports ecosystem, further establishing Riyadh as a global capital of competitive gaming
Saudi PIF leads $55bn takeover of Electronic Arts in world’s biggest gaming deal
Saudi Arabia’s PIF is leading a $55bn takeover of Electronic Arts with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, marking the world’s biggest gaming deal
Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 aims to create 30,000 jobs and add $1bn to GDP with new XSOLLA partnership
Dubai Future Foundation and XSOLLA partner under the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, aiming to create 30,000 jobs and add $1bn to GDP
EXCLUSIVE: Will Fortnite kill football? Ex-Liverpool CEO talks gaming, sports and Saudi Arabia
In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business, the former Liverpool FC CEO and gaming veteran talks gaming, the legacy he left behind and more
EXCLUSIVE: Gaming industry faces risk of ‘burning out’ without Saudi-style infrastructure, says ESL FACEIT CEO
The Kingdom’s approach is in contrast to the gaming industry’s boom-bust cycles, with investments focused on long-term ecosystem development rather than a short-term spectacle
Saudi gaming market surges with 2.4m consoles imported amid esports boom
Saudi Arabia’s gaming industry surges with 2.4m consoles imported, faster game response times, and a $70m Esports World Cup in Riyadh
Dubai to showcase $1bn gaming ambitions with first-ever Middle East government pavilion at Gamescom 2025
Dubai will host the Middle East’s first government gaming pavilion at Gamescom 2025, showcasing its $1bn plan to become a top 10 global gaming hub by 2033.
Esports to power up $205bn global gaming market by 2026
With 3.4bn gamers and more than 530m esports fans, the esports industry is reshaping the future of digital entertainment and the global economy.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Saudi Arabia is different,’ says Esports World Cup CEO; Riyadh tops LA, Seoul in global gaming
Esports World Cup CEO says political backing from gaming leadership gives Riyadh “unparalleled” advantage in global tournament race
Saudi Arabia hosts Esports World Cup with $70m prize pool, Kingdom targets $13.3bn GDP boost and 39,000 gaming jobs
More than 2,000 players from over 100 countries descend on Riyadh for Saudi gaming event
Dubai has 350 gaming companies as it eyes $200bn global industry with 30,000 job target
Dubai gaming sector targets 30,000 new jobs and a $1bn GDP boost by 2033
Abu Dhabi announces UAE’s first video game design university degree course
Scholarship offers made to UAE students on video game design university course in Abu Dhabi