RIYADH: Public Investment Fund-owned Savvy Games Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with international games commerce company Xsolla to establish an interactive entertainment hub in Riyadh.
Focusing on job creation, game development and publishing, the partnership aims to create 3,600 video game industry jobs in Saudi Arabia by 2030. The 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, providing product development, technology, customer support, and business development services to help developers and publishers expand their projects in the Middle East.
The collaboration will also launch key initiatives, including the Xsolla Game Development Academy, Incubator, and Accelerator programs, designed to foster talent, support domestic and international game development studios, and position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for the industry.
“This partnership with Xsolla represents a significant step forward in our mission to make Saudi Arabia’s gaming and esports ecosystem globally recognized,” said Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games Group.
“By combining our resources and expertise, we are building a vibrant, sustainable industry that will create jobs and drive opportunity and creativity for years to come,” Ward added.
The partnership will also focus on hosting industry-leading gaming events, funding development projects, and connecting local studios with international investors.
This collaboration comes as Saudi Arabia has seen a recent boom in esports, with the country hosting its first-ever esports World Cup, which had a record-breaking 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 GDP.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Savvy Games Group on this groundbreaking initiative. Our shared vision for the future of video games is perfectly aligned, and together we aim to empower developers in Saudi Arabia, foster creativity, and support the next generation of talent,” said Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer at Xsolla.
Savvy Games Group also announced a separate 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, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt.
This collaboration focuses on inspiring people to play with their communities through local live events and localized content.
Savvy will also help build Niantic’s regional operations, including recruiting local talent and establishing office space to accelerate Niantic’s growth and expand engagement with mobile gamers in the Middle East.
“Our partnership with Savvy Games Group will significantly expand our presence in this vibrant region and support our growing player community,” said John Hanke, Niantic founder and CEO.
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.
