https://arab.news/9jcbx
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia launched a new commercial group on Wednesday to develop the Kingdom’s video gaming and esports industry.
Savvy Gaming Group is headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and backed by the Public Investment Fund, the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund. It has already acquired two existing esports companies, ESL Gaming and FACEIT.
The new group aims to be a “pioneer in the development of the gaming and esports industry locally and internationally,” and will contribute “to providing opportunities for development and for promoting diverse sources of economic income,” it said.
Saudi Arabia’s games market was worth $1 billion in 2021, more than any other Gulf state, according to market researcher Niko Partners.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt are forecast to have a total of 85.8 million gamers generating $3.1 billion in revenue by 2025, the researchers said.
In a separate report, the Boston Consulting Group said consumption of video games and esports was projected to reach $6.8 billion by 2030, up from $959 million in 2020.
“Despite the Kingdom being a relatively recent entrant to this space, the industry is vibrant and fast-growing,” BCG partner Povilas Joniskis said. “Passionate gamers are primarily powering its growth and popularity at present, and it is more than feasible for them to embark on full-time careers and become involved on the international stage.”
Prominent Saudi gamers include Musaed Al-Dossary, 21, who won the FIFAe World Cup in 2018 and was runner-up the following year, and was crowned Esports Player of the Year at the 2021 Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai.