New Game
Garena and Tencent team up to publish tactical FPS Delta Force in MENA, Southeast Asia and South America
The game will feature cross-progression for PC and mobile when it launches next year
Esports In Mena
British International School Riyadh partners with NES to propel esports education in Saudi Arabia
The partnership is in line with the KSA's Vision 2030 initiative
Jobs In Games
Jobs in Games: Steer Studios' Jamil Dar on how to get a career as a lead artist
In this series, we highlight the talented team members working in the games industry and how they got their break
Esports In Mena
YaLLa Esports invests $12.5 million to accelerate growth in the MENA region over the next two years
YaLLa Esports will host five major esports tournaments in Qatar and UAE by 2026
Marvellous Mena
"Africa needs an educated society, and EdTech is a vital tool for achieving that"
Enechawet Games’ CEO and co-founder Abiy Hailu talks opportunities in EdTech, leveraging emerging technologies in game development and publishing challenges
Marvellous Mena
Table Knight Games' co-founder Ghada A. AlHudaithi talks MENA challenges, company expansion and exploring new genres
"There has been a lot of vast opportunities for funding and support from Saudi Arabia and other venture capitals in the MENA region"
New Studio
Mobile games company Digital Dunes launches in Media City Qatar
The company says it will bring Arabic content and culture to the world through its projects
Strategic Growth
Redwood acquires majority stake in Indian games streaming start-up Loco for $65m
The deal will see Loco expand to global markets
Marvellous Mena
Kayfo: Web gaming "has been a game changer"
Kayfo Games founder Julien Herbin and COO Thierno Ndiaye discuss the opportunities in web-based games, the rise of Edtech in Africa and monetisation challenges
Jobs In Games
Jobs in Games: Usiku Games' Kevine Nzayanga on how to get a career as a game developer
In our Jobs in Games series, we highlight the talented team members currently working in the games industry
New Offerings
Ampverse Group launches new marketing agency to connect brands with gamers
Brands can engage with games and entertainment communities across Southeast Asia, India and the MENA region
Jordan Games Industry
Finalists for the inaugural Jordan Games Awards 2024 are live!
Winners will be revealed on November 10th, as part of Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan 2024
Mena Market Growth
UAE games market revenue could reach $492 million by 2027
Sector forecast to hit $421m by the end of 2024
Industry Spotlight
Jobs in Games: UMX Studio's Ammar Yasser Alrashoudi on how to get a career as game director
In our Jobs in Games series we highlight the talented team members currently working in the games industry
Mena Market
MENA investments recovers after 63 startups raised $282 million in September
This marked a 234% increase month-on-month and a 607% rise year-on-year
Investment News
UMX Studio secures $4.5 million investment from Jetapult to expand portfolio
Funding will "accelerate" developer's expansion in Saudi Arabia
Funding News
UAE-based Web3 gaming startup PiP World lands $10 million in seed funding
The startup is combining video games, education, and Web3 technology to provide a platform for improving financial literacy
Mena Market
MENA start-ups secure $1.3 billion despite investment decline
Funding activity has remained "relatively resilient" despite the decline in investments
No Longer Welcome
Turkey blocks Discord in latest social platform ban
"We are determined to protect our youth and children from the harmful publications of social media"
Road To Jordan
Rababa Games CEO talks being self-funded, exploring new platforms and expansion opportunities
"Mobile games, especially in the MENA region, have a high demand, so they remain a primary focus"
Mixed Messaging
Saudi Arabia cuts Nintendo stake despite suggestions it could increase it
As of June, Saudi Arabia's PIF owned 8.58% of Nintendo, which is now down to 7.54%
Africa Is Mobile
Africa's video games market projected to rise from $2.14 billion to $3.72 billion by 2029
Mobile penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa is set to reach 50% by 2030, with an expected 475 million connections by 2025
Gamathon Takeaways
5 takeaways from Gamathon 24: Africa's youthful game makers shine, big tech takes notice, but monetisation struggles persist
The six day event highlighted the games industry in Africa through video game showcases and insightful panel sessions
Industry Spotlight
Jobs in Games: Carry1st's Spencer Ma on how to get a career in games growth
In our Jobs in Games series we highlight the talented team members currently working in the games industry
Games In Africa
Gamathon 24 begins with exclusive launch for game developers and industry delegates
The press conference paved a clear roadmap for what attendees can expect throughout the week
Interview
"Africa is overlooked due to misconceptions about the purchasing power in the region"
Lanterns Studios CEO Jihed Jaouabi discusses leveraging motion capture technology, expanding beyond the MENA region and funding challenges
Esports In Mena
Diagnal and Intigral partner to elevate esports in the MENA region
The collaboration will support the company's aim of enhancing entertainment in the MENA region
Funding News
EdVentures invests in Egyptian education and interactive games startup Saikoro
VC arm provides funding to eight Egyptian startups as it seeks to support country's education system
Industry Spotlight
Jobs in Games: Chickmania’s Jamil Alsakran on how to get a career in QA
In our Jobs in Games series, we highlight the talented team members currently working in the games industry
Esports In Mena
Emirates Esports Federation and ITW Universe to launch new esports league
This new league will debut in March 2025 as part of an effort to transform competitive gaming in MENA
Interview
Boss Bunny Games COO Hammam Alahmadi talks upcoming mobile games and the endless opportunities in the MENA region
"Players in the region have a refined taste, with only well-developed games gaining popularity"
Milestone
Electric Blue: Gecko Dash mobile game surpasses 500,000 downloads
The game was created to stop endangered gecko species from going extinct in Tanzania
Industry Spotlight
Jobs in Games: Sandsoft's Mohammad AL Khatatbeh on how to become a senior game developer
In our Jobs in Games series, we highlight the talented team members currently working in the games industry
New Partnerships
Hyperfusion partners with The Game Company to power cloud gaming in MENA and GCC
Both companies are focused on giving players a “near-lag-free" gaming experience
Esports Growth
Gosu Academy expands into the UAE to fuel esports growth
Esports coaching and education provider's existing presence in the Middle East will support the UAE's growing games community
Mena Insight
"Awareness remains one of the biggest challenges in the MENA region"
Classy Games Studios founder Jamie McClenaghan discusses building a team in the UAE and the challenges of operating in an emerging games hub
Mena Region
Saudi Arabia's PIF to transfer gaming Stocks to Savvy Games Group
The PIF will remain a collaborative partner once the transfer is completed
Going Mobile
Behind the scenes: Bringing one of Africa’s oldest board games to life on mobile
MENA industry insider Stephen Sandmann discusses the development of Mancala Adventures with the Carry1st team
Mena Growth
"Our focus on AI ensures we deliver the best possible experiences in our games"
YallaPlay CEO and founder Kareem Seddik talks localisation, leveraging AI in games and the company's focus on real-time multiplayer titles
Mena Insight
“Hitseeker is a platform that enables Kwalee to publish games with minimal human involvement"
Kwalee's lead technical product manager Waqas Khan on the new Arabic-edition of Hitseeker and its potential to boost the MENA games industry
Podcast | Episode 27
Savvy's MENA investment and Finnish dev Lightneer closes | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and and what's inside this week's episode 27...
Mena Market
MENA market hits 7.9 billion downloads and $1.78 billion revenue in H1 2024
PUBG Mobile dominates games downloads and leads in revenue alongside Roblox and Subway Surfers
Mena Means Business
Savvy Games Group strikes key deals to power MENA industry growth
As string of partnerships and investments this week are focused on building the Middle East into a gaming powerhouse
Mena Insight
"The key to infiltrating a market is being able to understand it"
Tafra Games CEO and founder Ziad Elgabaly discusses PC and console expansion, upcoming mobile games and the MENA funding landscape
Mena Region
Maysalward partners with NEOM for second annual Game Dev challenge
The second edition will kick off later this year in Riyadh to be followed with a round in Jeddah for the first time
Mena Insight
"Our focus is undoubtedly on the Middle East market where we have unique advantages"
Yalla Group president Saifi Ismail on Yalla Ludo's success, MENA games industry growth, localisation challenges and upcoming games
New Partnerships
Xsolla partners with Savvy Games Group to grow the MENA games industry
Xsolla will establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh to help MENA developers and publishers grow their games
Mena Region
Savvy Games Group signs Memorandum of Understanding with Niantic for MENA expansion
Savvy will help Niantic establish its regional operations in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt
Recruitment Drive
Savvy Games Group plots 600 new games industry jobs in Saudi Arabia
State-backed company opens up on strategy to grow local ecosystem and its global investments
Mena Market Growth
Sony launches MENA Hero Project incubator program for game developers
Sony is also focused on lowering the barrier of entry for local developers in the MENA region