The country’s change from an oil-based economy to a thriving digital powerhouse is already having an effect on video games around the world. What used to be a local market for video games has quickly grown into a global video games hub for gaming finance, e-sports, growth, and new ideas. Just a few years ago, the Kingdom was a bystander in an industry that was expected to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars around the world. Now, it is a strategic leader in this industry. Let’s look at how and why this significant change is happening.
Vision 2030: Gaming as a Key Economic Axis
Vision 2030, a big plan to diversify the economy beyond oil, lies at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to control video games. Gaming and e-sports aren’t just seen as fun under this plan; they’re seen as significant ways to boost the economy, create jobs, and make the world a better place.
By 2030, the Kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy hopes to add about USD 13.3 billion to the GDP and make about 39,000 jobs available. Under this plan, educational programs, business companies, and government offices collaborate to establish a comprehensive gaming environment.
Mega Investments Drive Global Impact
Saudi Arabia stands out because of its strong financial position. The country has put tens of billions of dollars into games and e-sports around the world through its sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). As part of this, Savvy Games Group, a holding business that focuses on games, is combining its shares in big global developers and distributors.
Notably, companies with ties to Saudi Arabia have made historic purchases and investments in businesses like
- Savvy Games Group has centralised billions of dollars worth of game assets by strategically transferring shares in Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Square Enix, and other companies.
- The Saudis’ purchase of Scopely and later purchase of Niantic Labs’ gaming section marked a rapid growth into mobile gaming infrastructure.
These investments not only protect cash stakes, but they also bring talented game developers and business ties to Saudi Arabia from around the world.
Massive and Young Gaming Population
Saudi Arabia’s population is an obvious benefit. With a population that is mostly under 35 years old and a vast number of gamers, Saudi youth are big fans of both creating and using digital entertainment. This love of video games in the United States gives global producers a strong base from which to see growth.
Many people have access to the internet and cheap tablets, which makes this trend even stronger. As a result, gaming has become one of the most popular things to do for fun in the country.
Hosting Top-Notch E-Sports Events
Saudi Arabia has invested in infrastructure and is now showing it off to the world. With prize pools of more than $70 million, the Esports World Cup in Riyadh has become one of the richest worldwide game competitions.
Further solidifying its position as a top e-sports location, Saudi Arabia will host the Olympic Esports Games in 2027 in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee.
Riyadh is now a central hub in the world of competitive gaming, and these events bring in players and fans from all over the world. It shows that esports has become a popular form of entertainment.
Creating a Wide Range of Gaming Options
What Saudi Arabia is doing goes beyond buying titles and holding events. To keep the game industry going for a long time, the Kingdom is building infrastructure, talent pools, and production companies.
With over $1.1 billion in funding, programs like Ignite help new businesses, encourage people to make digital material, and encourage people in the country to make games. Saudi talent can grow in a setting with schools, accelerators, and relationships with global brands.
World-class game development teams can also be formed in Saudi Arabia through projects like the NEOM gaming centre and agreements between media giants and global studios.
Strategic Partnerships with Global Gaming Leaders
Saudi Arabia is constantly trying to attract the most prominent game companies in the world. Local communities can grow faster and connect with global markets with the help of partnerships with big companies and e-sports groups.
For instance:
- MoUs with Riot Games are meant to make amateur esports stronger and give local players more power.
- Global companies see the Kingdom as a key place to do business and create experiences that are more relevant to locals, according to studies from PwC and the Saudi Esports Federation.
These partnerships help Saudi Arabia’s game goals by giving them funding, advice, and credibility.
Changes in Culture: Games as Popular Entertainment
It’s no longer just a niche hobby in Saudi Arabia—gaming has become a part of everyday life. Over 70% of young people in Saudi Arabia are said to play video games on a daily basis. It makes it one of the most popular ways to have fun in the Kingdom.
This normalisation of culture helps build busy groups, competitive leagues, streaming ecosystems, and business possibilities for both businesses and content makers.
What the Future Holds?
The stakes are high, and Saudi Arabia’s plan for playing is highly uncertain. The Kingdom wants to do the following by 2030:
- Rank as one of the most significant areas in the world for games and e-sports
- Make widely renowned video games and teams
- Make sure that game creators, coders, and esports pros can keep their jobs.
Saudi Arabia is now one of the most watched and bold countries in the video game industry thanks to its thorough growth strategy, which includes economic policy, cultural involvement, technological innovation, and working with other countries.
A New Gaming Hub for the World
Saudi Arabia’s rise as a centre for video games around the world is not a coincidence. It is the outcome of a unified national strategy, huge financial investments, strategic relationships, and a lively culture among young people. The Kingdom of Game Development is creating a thriving ecosystem that challenges old game giants and changes the way the industry will grow in the future. This ecosystem includes esports championships, development companies, sovereign investments, and educational programs.
Saudi Arabia’s part is one of the most interesting and important stories of the decade if you’re interested in global game trends.
