Saudi Arabia is swiftly advancing to become a significant gaming nucleus in the Middle East, driven by the government’s proactive approach, which includes injecting billions of dollars into the sector to establish infrastructure and attract gaming professionals and enterprises.
These state-backed initiatives are bearing fruit, evidenced by high-profile partnerships between international and regional gaming leaders like Tencent of China and Gamers Hub Media Events from the UAE, which operates the pioneering GameCentric platform. These partnerships with sports organizations and local enterprises are set to propel the nation’s gaming industry.
Level Infinite, Tencent’s international gaming division, has entered a three-year collaboration with the Esports World Cup Foundation to bolster the PUBG MOBILE and Honor of Kings eSports ecosystems, not just regionally but also on a global scale. Meanwhile, GameCentric has forged an alliance with POWReSports to kick off dynamic influencer management initiatives within the Kingdom.
Anticipation is high for more such collaborative agreements with gaming companies looking to make a strategic entrance into Saudi Arabia’s gaming market in the near future.
With the goal of fostering the growth of eSports and gaming, the Esports World Cup Foundation, a nonprofit entity, is preparing to host the inaugural Esports World Cup 2024 in Riyadh this summer. As part of the collaboration with Tencent, the PUBG MOBILE World Cup will be introduced alongside the Esports World Cup, featuring a grand prize pool of $3 million.
Additionally, Saudi officials have announced ambitious plans to construct a dedicated gaming and eSports district within Qiddiya, a mega entertainment city. This move aligns with the Kingdom’s strategy to develop a significant market for the gaming industry.
According to industry specialists, Saudi Arabia is becoming an increasingly attractive market for gaming companies, thanks to its burgeoning base of gaming enthusiasts. A recent survey indicates that the Kingdom is home to over 23 million gamers, accounting for approximately 67 percent of its population.
“Partnerships are a fundamental element of our growth and market expansion strategy in Saudi Arabia,” expressed Saad Khan, Founder and CEO of GameCentric and Gamers Hub Media Events.
Saudi Arabia’s Investment in the Ultimate Global Gaming and eSports Hub
Tencent and Gamers Hub Media are among the companies with ambitious plans in a landscape where Saudi Arabia reportedly plans to spend about $8 billion to procure stakes in gaming companies through the Savvy Games Group. These investments, which were reported by the Financial Times, follow the Saudi Crown Prince’s vision of transforming the Kingdom into a premier global hub for games and eSports.
The Kingdom’s goals include accommodating 250 gaming companies and studios, generating 39,000 jobs, and contributing around one percent to its GDP by 2030.
The proposed gaming and eSports district in Qiddiya will cover 500,000 square meters, with the capacity to welcome up to 25 eSports teams simultaneously. It’s also expected to serve as the regional headquarters for over 30 video game companies, according to the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), with an estimated 10 million visitors annually by 2030.