RIYADH: Public Investment Fund-owned Savvy Games Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with international game trading firm Xsolla to set up an interactive entertainment center in Riyadh.
Focusing on job creation, game development and publishing, the partnership aims to create 3,600 jobs in the video game industry in Saudi Arabia by 2030. This initiative supports the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and is expected to create regional and global economic opportunities for developers.
As part of the agreement, Xsolla will establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh that will provide product development, technology, customer support and business development services to help developers and publishers scale their projects in the Middle East.
The collaboration will also launch key initiatives, including the Xsolla Game Development Academy, Incubator and Accelerator programs. These initiatives are designed to nurture talent, support local and international game development studios, and position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for the industry.
“This partnership with Xsolla is a significant step forward in our mission to raise the global profile of Saudi Arabia's gaming and esports ecosystem,” said Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games Group.
“By pooling our resources and expertise, we are creating jobs and building a vibrant, sustainable industry that will drive opportunity and creativity for years to come,” added Ward.
The partnership will also focus on hosting industry-leading gaming events, funding development projects and connecting local studios with international investors.
The collaboration comes on the heels of Saudi Arabia's recent eSports boom, exemplified by the country's first eSports World Cup, which boasted a record prize pool of $62.5 million.
This is in line with the Kingdom's National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which aims to create jobs and contribute $13 billion to the country's gross domestic product.
“We are very excited to partner with Savvy Games Group on this groundbreaking initiative. Our shared vision for the future of video games is completely aligned, and together we are committed to empowering developers, fostering creativity and supporting the next generation of talent in Saudi Arabia,” said Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer of Xsolla.
Savvy Games Group also announced a separate Memorandum of Understanding with Niantic Inc., a global leader in augmented reality and location-based gaming.
Savvy will support Niantic's expansion into the MENA region, specifically Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt.
This collaboration aims to inspire people to play together with their communities through live events and localized content in the region.
Savvy will also assist Niantic in setting up regional operations, including recruiting local talent and building office space, to accelerate Niantic's growth and increase engagement among mobile gamers in the Middle East.
“Our partnership with Savvy Games Group will significantly expand our reach in this vibrant region and support our growing player community,” said John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic.
Through these partnerships, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a key player in the global gaming and esports industry, fostering innovation and driving economic growth.
