RIYADH: Savvy Games Group, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Xsolla, an international gaming trading company, to establish an interactive entertainment hub in Riyadh.
The collaboration focuses on job creation, games development and publishing, with the goal of creating 3,600 video game industry jobs in Saudi Arabia by 2030. The initiative supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and is expected to create both regional and global economic opportunities for developers.
Under the agreement, Xsolla will establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh to provide product development, technology, customer support and business development services to help developers and publishers scale their projects in the Middle East.
The partnership will also launch key programs, including the Xsolla Game Development Academy, Incubator and Accelerator. These programs are designed to foster talent, support local and international game development studios, and position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for the industry.
“This partnership with Xsolla is an important step in our mission to elevate Saudi Arabia’s gaming and esports ecosystem to a global level,” said Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games Group.
“By combining our resources and expertise, we can create jobs and build 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 partnership comes after esports recently gained popularity in Saudi Arabia, exemplified by the country’s first-ever Esports World Cup, which saw a record prize pool of $62.5 million.
It 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 excited to be working with Savvy Games Group on this important initiative. Our shared vision for the future of video games aligns perfectly, and together we aim to empower developers, foster creativity, and support the next generation of talent in Saudi Arabia,” said Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer at Xsolla.
In addition, Savvy Games Group announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Niantic Inc., a global leader in augmented reality and location-based games.
Savvy will support Niantic’s expansion into the MENA region, specifically Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
The collaboration focuses on inspiring people to play together with their communities through live events and localized content across regions.
In addition, Savvy will assist Niantic in establishing regional operations, including recruiting local talent and setting up offices, to accelerate Niantic’s growth and increase engagement among mobile gamers in the Middle East.
“Our partnership with Savvy Games Group will significantly increase our reach in this vibrant region and support our growing player community,” said John Hanke, Niantic’s founder and CEO.
With these partnerships, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a major player in the global gaming and esports industry, fostering innovation and driving economic growth.
