Maysalward CEO Nour Khrais:

Maysalward CEO Nour Khrais: "The Middle East games industry holds immense potential for innovation and investment"

"We have embraced the concept of globalisation, where we look globally with our product and act locally, from game design to development"

Riot Games backs Esports World Cup in Riyadh with new LoL and TFT teams

Esports World Cup

Riot Games backs Esports World Cup in Riyadh with new LoL and TFT teams

But as the EWC isn't an official LoL Esports competition Riot will not involved in production or team selection

MENA games market continues to outpace global growth as it surpasses $7 billion in revenue

Market Insights

MENA games market continues to outpace global growth as it surpasses $7 billion in revenue

Get to know the MENA market ahead of the Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024, coming up on May 1st and 2nd

It’s MENA Month on PocketGamer.biz

It’s MENA Month on PocketGamer.biz

We'll be highlighting the exciting teams, projects and major news from the region

GDC Roundup, EU calls out Apple, and lots of MENA news | Week in Mobile Games podcast

Podcast | Episode 05

GDC Roundup, EU calls out Apple, and lots of MENA news | 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 05…

Sandsoft and NetEase establish joint venture Stellar Gate Games to publish games in MENA

Mena Market Growth

Sandsoft and NetEase establish joint venture Stellar Gate Games to publish games in MENA

The new venture will support companies with publishing, marketing, live ops and esports activities in the region

Super Evil Megacorp’s Taewon Yun:

Dubai Gamexpo Summit 2023

Super Evil Megacorp’s Taewon Yun: "Gen AI is like a goldmine surrounded by a minefield"

Super Evil Megacorp chief business officer Taewon Yun’s talk at Dubai GameExpo Summit 2023 powered by PG Connects focused around AI and Web3

Nexon expands to UAE with new blockchain game subsidiaries

Nexon expands to UAE with new blockchain game subsidiaries

Publisher establishes Nexon Universe Global and Nexpace in region as it aims to expand blockchain initiatives

True Gamers gets set to build $280 million esports island in Abu Dhabi

True Gamers gets set to build $280 million esports island in Abu Dhabi

True Gamers is currently in talks with investors to raise the $280 million it needs to acquire the island and commence building facilities

Tamatem Games relocates HQ to UAE after Abu Dhabi investment

New Partnerships

Tamatem Games relocates HQ to UAE after Abu Dhabi investment

The backing aims to help fuel publisher's growth and strengthen the UAE's overall gaming ecosystem

Massive Savings

Last chance to snag Early Bird tickets for Dubai GameExpo Summit! Don't miss out on major savings before midnight Thursday

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Sandsoft’s CEO David Fernandez Remesal discusses company expansion, growth in the MENA region and beating the stigma of mobile gaming

Sandsoft’s CEO David Fernandez Remesal discusses company expansion, growth in the MENA region and beating the stigma of mobile gaming

“The games industry is the largest and deepest entertainment form, and, as such, we need to do more to be considered in the same way as our counterparts in the larger entertainment industry.”

Savvy Games Group unveils strategic vision in new leadership video

Savvy Games Group unveils strategic vision in new leadership video

CEO Brian Ward says, “Savvy Games Group is on a fast track to be one of the leading players in games and entertainment anywhere in the world."

Playbook for success: Navigating growth and overcoming challenges in Africa's gaming market

Playbook for success: Navigating growth and overcoming challenges in Africa's gaming market

Carry1st associate product manager, Seyifunmi Jesuloluwa shares how you can prepare to explore the African games market for greater growth

Animoca Brands and KACST to launch Web3 Hub in Saudi Arabia

Animoca Brands and KACST to launch Web3 Hub in Saudi Arabia

The partnership and the Web3 Hub will include collaborative research in Web3, blockchain, gaming, AI, and the metaverse

From esports to Heinz, everyone talks gaming at MENA’s Dubai Lynx

From esports to Heinz, everyone talks gaming at MENA’s Dubai Lynx

ESL Faceit Group, Emirates and Heinz discuss game industry wins

India on track to become a leading gaming hub as esports players hit 2.5m in 2024

India on track to become a leading gaming hub as esports players hit 2.5m in 2024

The number of smartphone users in India remains a driving factor of its overall gaming industry growth

Hot Five: Microsoft goes multiplat, Fortnite to return to iOS, but global games industry layoffs continue

February 26, 2024

Hot Five: Microsoft goes multiplat, Fortnite to return to iOS, but global games industry layoffs continue

Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz

Honor of Kings makes MENA debut ahead of Esports World Cup

February 21, 2024

Honor of Kings makes MENA debut ahead of Esports World Cup

The popular MOBA game will make its way to MENA for the first time since its 2015 launch

GameCentric secures $1.5 million angel investment to fuel growth in MENA

February 20, 2024

GameCentric secures $1.5 million angel investment to fuel growth in MENA

The gaming platform aims to add more features to extend its footprint beyond the GCC & MENA region

How to engage Middle Eastern gamers and get ahead of the curve

February 16, 2024

How to engage Middle Eastern gamers and get ahead of the curve

Tactical’s Gaynelle Brautigam on why understanding culture, context and impact is important for marketers looking for Middle East growth

“Africa will be one of the top three regions for the global games market over the next ten years”

January 31, 2024

African Expansion

“Africa will be one of the top three regions for the global games market over the next ten years”

Usiku Games game producer Denis Odera on developing mobile games in Africa and what makes the region prime for expansion

Savvy Games Group: “Approximately 75 percent of our capital allotment has not yet been invested”

January 4, 2024

Savvy Games Group: “Approximately 75 percent of our capital allotment has not yet been invested”

We speak to Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward about the accomplishments of the past year, what we can expect to see next from the MENA region and Savvy’s new games ambitions

Fahy Studios charts ambitious course to reshape Saudi Arabia's games scene

January 2, 2024

Fahy Studios charts ambitious course to reshape Saudi Arabia's games scene

The company's founders discuss their Kwalee partnership, upcoming projects and their plans to leverage the KSA's gaming landscape

India leads the charge while pricing concerns hinder Asian uptake in new monetisation report

December 15, 2023

Regional Realities

India leads the charge while pricing concerns hinder Asian uptake in new monetisation report

Niko Partners' report shows that in-game purchases accounted for 87.8% of player spending in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

MENAP gaming market is poised to grow to $2.8Bn by 2026, but there are challenges ahead

November 24, 2023

Growth Potential

MENAP gaming market is poised to grow to $2.8Bn by 2026, but there are challenges ahead

The SHFT Gametech Global Q1 MENAP report underscores the region's opportunities, provided more frictionless payment systems and smart user acquisition strategies prevail

Animoca Brands partners with Saudi Arabia in $50M deal to bring Web3 to NEOM

November 7, 2023

Saudi Foresight

Animoca Brands partners with Saudi Arabia in $50M deal to bring Web3 to NEOM

The future of NEOM just got a Web3 update

Artisan opens new studio in Riyadh

November 2, 2023

Development In Mena

Artisan opens new studio in Riyadh

The studio has been created in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment

The MENA Opportunity in a post-ATT mobile games market

November 2, 2023

The MENA Opportunity in a post-ATT mobile games market

Sandsoft's Ratko Bozovic discusses how the MENA market is on the rise despite privacy policies changes shaking mobile’s foundations

Maysalward is supporting young NEOM talent with new Game Dev Challenge

October 3, 2023

Maysalward is supporting young NEOM talent with new Game Dev Challenge

Mobile Game Legend Nour Khrais leads his studio in supporting new talent aged 15 to 17

The gaming and esports industry needs to start taking mobile esports more seriously

September 29, 2023

The gaming and esports industry needs to start taking mobile esports more seriously

Esports has seen significant growth over recent years but is mobile being overlooked?

Saudi stakes a $50 billion+ claim in the gaming world - Nintendo, Activision, EA & more

September 27, 2023

Saudi stakes a $50 billion+ claim in the gaming world - Nintendo, Activision, EA & more

Move over Tencent, Savvy Games and the PIF are THE new market makers in the global games portfolio

Major growth ahead for the African mobile games market

September 14, 2023

Pgc Helsinki 2023

Major growth ahead for the African mobile games market

Carry1st's Mahmoud El-Azzeh on the potential and challenges of the African mobile games market and its place in the next decade

Next World Forum: Day Two - ESL Faceit Group, Saudi Esports Federation and more

August 31, 2023

Next World Forum

Next World Forum: Day Two - ESL Faceit Group, Saudi Esports Federation and more

As the conference draws to a close the big names depart and big business gets done

Saudi Arabia's Next World Forum: Day One - Michael Bay, Omar Batterjee and Saudi esports

August 30, 2023

Saudi Arabia's Next World Forum: Day One - Michael Bay, Omar Batterjee and Saudi esports

Saudi Arabia’s premiere tech conference, live from Riyadh kicks off in style

Sandsoft appoints Ahmed Sharif as CTO

Sandsoft appoints Ahmed Sharif as CTO

Sharif previously held the role of head of VR, AR, metaverse automation and platform engineering at Meta

Jam City tackles DC and heads into MENA with Heroes & Villains puzzle RPG game

Jam City tackles DC and heads into MENA with Heroes & Villains puzzle RPG game

The studio is seeking to expand its free-to-play offerings and licenced titles

Brazilian mobile market to jump to $5.2bn gross revenue by 2027

Brazilian mobile market to jump to $5.2bn gross revenue by 2027

Downloads will also rise to 39.1bn, while Africa will still be yet to crack $1bn of mobile revenue

Scalo leads $3.5m investment in publisher Hexacore

Scalo leads $3.5m investment in publisher Hexacore

The publisher specialises in mobile Web3 games

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened generated $2.3 million in first week of global release

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened generated $2.3 million in first week of global release

NetEase’s version generated $1.3 million; Warner Bros. Games’ made $1 million

More than 65% of MENA gaming revenue comes from mobile

Mena Is Changing The Game

More than 65% of MENA gaming revenue comes from mobile

Boston Consulting Group’s latest Game Changer report emphasises the growing passion for gaming throughout the region

Five biggest mobile genres of 2022 in MENA and Asian markets revealed: RPG leads the pack

Niko Partners Report

Five biggest mobile genres of 2022 in MENA and Asian markets revealed: RPG leads the pack

The RPG genre generated 50% more revenue than strategy, MOBA, puzzle, and battle royale games combined

MENA and social gaming: What does it take to succeed in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets?

MENA and social gaming: What does it take to succeed in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets?

At BIG Festival, Nine66’s Ricardo Flores examined the growth of gaming throughout the MENA region

The Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects was our biggest and most successful debut event in a new territory – here’s what you missed!

Thanks For Coming

The Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects was our biggest and most successful debut event in a new territory – here’s what you missed!

1300+ attendees, 800+ leading companies, 60+ countries represented and over 100 expert speakers congregated in Dubai at our first event in the city

Investment and AI: more highlights from GameExpo Summit

Conference Round-up

Investment and AI: more highlights from GameExpo Summit

Our inaugural conference in the UAE revealed essential insights and perspective about the regional and global games industry (part II)

Global trends, influencers and esports: insights from GameExpo Summit

Event Highlights

Global trends, influencers and esports: insights from GameExpo Summit

Our first live event in Dubai delivered essential facts, figures and opinions about the worldwide game development scene (part I)

The MENA region scores 26,200 app downloads per minute

The MENA region scores 26,200 app downloads per minute

Data.ai examines the state of mobile in the region with impressive numbers throughout

Why diverse payments are the key to reaching MENA gamers

Why diverse payments are the key to reaching MENA gamers

Xsolla president Chris Hewish explains the unique requirements of consumers in this market

Maysalward’s Nour Khrais: “There is always an opportunity in the MENA region”

Maysalward’s Nour Khrais: “There is always an opportunity in the MENA region”

We catch up with this years Mobile Legend award winner in advance of our Dubai Game Expo Summit

Last chance to secure incredible savings for Dubai GameExpo Summit! Book your ticket before midnight tonight

Last chance to secure incredible savings for Dubai GameExpo Summit! Book your ticket before midnight tonight

Book your ticket before midnight tonight to take advantage of our fantastic Mid-Term offer!