Start-up of the Week: Al-Jalsaa – Time to enjoy a Saudi pop-up board game

Al-Jalsaa is a social card game based on dialogue.

• Al-Jalsaa is a social card game based on dialogue, persuasion skills, and attempt to mislead opponents
• Around 20 people can play this game at a time

JEDDAH: An exciting pop-up board game and cafe are gaining huge popularity among the masses.
The game and the cafe managed to attract huge crowds at various cultural events recently organized or supported by the General Entertainment Authority such as the Saudi heritage event “1351 H,” which took place during Ramadan at Jeddah’s Mersal Village in Jungle Land.
According to Mamdouh Tayeb, the co-creator of the board game “Al-Jalsaa,” it is already being sold at certain shops. He said they participate in cultural events to use them as a platform to introduce their product.
Al-Jalsaa is a social card game based on dialogue, persuasion skills, and attempt to mislead opponents.
Tayeb explained that the social aspect of the game is what creates the excitement.
Around 20 people can play this game at a time, he said. “People like the social nature of the game where 20 or so people don’t know one another but play the game together. This interaction between them makes it all the more exciting.”
“It is for free, anyone can join, and even purchase the game,” he added.
The co-founder explained that the pop-up board game and cafe are very active.
“We do something different every two weeks and collaborate with different people,” Tayeb said.
Tayeb said Al-Jalsaa was launched in the market in January.
“The board game is available at Virgin, Toys R Us, Dokkan Afkar, Challenge round, Dar Ein in Jeddah, and TCG games in Riyadh,” Tayeb said.
“We made our first public appearance in February 2018 and we will continue to take part in several events lined up during the entire year,” he said.
Tayeb explained that Al-Jalsaa’s creation was inspired by older games, but with a new take on them.
“We used to play a similar game for years. We established new game rules, created new characters and created a Saudi brand,” he said.
Tayeb was keen on being authentic and promoting Saudi culture.
“We focused on having the game in Arabic since it is made 100 percent in Saudi Arabia,” said Tayeb.
Al-Jalsaa has another store called Nagnagaa that serve one or two items that are different and very unique, “not the usual like pancakes, waffles or ice cream, I create these recipes and people seem to enjoy them,” said Tayeb. The game’s co-creator said people can visit their website (www.aljalsaa.com) for further details about the game.