Gaming industry Archives

Gaming

NEOM backs five Saudi game studios as Kingdom targets $13.33bn gaming GDP by 2030

Written by Will Milner Wed 7 Jan 2026Wed 7 Jan 2026

NEOM has selected five Saudi game studios for funding under its Level Up accelerator, marking the programme’s largest ever cycle

Latest in Gaming industry

Gaming industry

Moscow Game Hub opens with pitch to MENA developers seeking global growth

Written by Kath Young Tue 9 Dec 2025Tue 9 Dec 2025

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 world

Arab gaming talent to benefit from new regional partnership

Written by Kath Young

Thu 27 Nov 2025Thu 27 Nov 2025

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 Film

Dubai hits ‘Play’ on film and gaming revolution to boost creative economy

Written by Will Milner

Tue 11 Nov 2025Tue 11 Nov 2025

Dubai Media Council presses start on new film and gaming committees to strengthen creative industries and boost media innovation

UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA)

Gaming industry

UAE gaming regulator CEO Kevin Mullally steps down, chairman Jim Murren named interim chief

Written by Tala Michel Issa

Thu 6 Nov 2025Thu 6 Nov 2025

The board has appointed chairman Jim Murren as interim CEO, effective immediately

e-sports

ESL FACEIT Group opens new regional headquarters in Riyadh amid Saudi eSports boom

Written by Nicole Abigael

Wed 5 Nov 2025Wed 5 Nov 2025

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

Electronic Arts

Saudi PIF leads $55bn takeover of Electronic Arts in world’s biggest gaming deal

Written by Will Milner

Mon 29 Sep 2025Mon 29 Sep 2025

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 Future Foundation

Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 aims to create 30,000 jobs and add $1bn to GDP with new XSOLLA partnership

Written by Will Milner

Wed 17 Sep 2025Sun 21 Sep 2025

Dubai Future Foundation and XSOLLA partner under the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, aiming to create 30,000 jobs and add $1bn to GDP

football

EXCLUSIVE: Will Fortnite kill football? Ex-Liverpool CEO talks gaming, sports and Saudi Arabia

Written by Nicole Abigael

Wed 27 Aug 2025Wed 27 Aug 2025

In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business, the former Liverpool FC CEO and gaming veteran talks gaming, the legacy he left behind and more

e-sports

EXCLUSIVE: Gaming industry faces risk of ‘burning out’ without Saudi-style infrastructure, says ESL FACEIT CEO

Written by Nicole Abigael

Thu 21 Aug 2025Thu 21 Aug 2025

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

eSports

Saudi gaming market surges with 2.4m consoles imported amid esports boom

Written by Staff Writer

Wed 13 Aug 2025Wed 13 Aug 2025

Saudi Arabia’s gaming industry surges with 2.4m consoles imported, faster game response times, and a $70m Esports World Cup in Riyadh

Gaming

Dubai to showcase $1bn gaming ambitions with first-ever Middle East government pavilion at Gamescom 2025

Written by Staff Writer

Wed 13 Aug 2025Wed 13 Aug 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.