"Operating a studio in MENA involves tough challenges: Cultural diversity, localisation, payment infrastructure and talent acquisition"

Jana Games Studio founder Seifeddine Wassim Haddar on the state of play for MENA and importance of community building

“There has been an increase in funding opportunities for African developers with more exciting times to come

“There has been an increase in funding opportunities for African developers with more exciting times to come"

Dash Studios CEO John Ikpeme on the future of the African gaming landscape, his current projects and the pursuit of funding in Africa

Saudi Arabia partners with Japan to create original anime and gaming content

New Partnerships

Saudi Arabia partners with Japan to create original anime and gaming content

The KSA aims to develop a local gaming industry that includes localizing Japanese games for the Saudi market

CN Studio co-founder Oussama Ouaziz on the growth and potential of gaming in MENA and Africa

CN Studio co-founder Oussama Ouaziz on the growth and potential of gaming in MENA and Africa

"We've seen a growing demand for games that resonate with local culture and experiences, including games that feature regional languages, themes, and characters"

Rising star: Why game developers are turning their attention to the UAE

Rising star: Why game developers are turning their attention to the UAE

Futura Digital dives into the business and legal aspects of setting up a business in the UAE

Gaming In Africa

Morocco readies first edition of Gaming Expo 2024

The event is focused on developing the Moroccan gaming industry as a global hub

Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects welcomes over 1,350 attendees in 2024

Dubai Gameexpo Summit

Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects welcomes over 1,350 attendees in 2024

More than 1,350 games industry professionals joined us for the two-day conference last week

Chinese publisher iDreamSky opens office in Riyadh for first international expansion

International Expansion

Chinese publisher iDreamSky opens office in Riyadh for first international expansion

iDreamSky president and co-founder tells PocketGamer.biz the MENA region is an exciting new opportunity in the face of other saturated markets

Dubai launches new Gaming Visa as part of 2033 vision

Dubai launches new Gaming Visa as part of 2033 vision

The UAE city aims to unite content creators by providing employment and training opportunities

The Esports Future Summit: 7 things we learned

The Esports Future Summit: 7 things we learned

Jordan’s five-year plan: lessons from industry experts at last week’s conference in Aqaba

Carry1st's African Cup to feature Call of Duty: Mobile tournament with $15,000 prize pool

Esports In Africa

Carry1st's African Cup to feature Call of Duty: Mobile tournament with $15,000 prize pool

The competition will feature esports teams from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa

Sandsoft’s Miikka Lindgren on the opportunities within the MENA market | Podcast

Sandsoft’s Miikka Lindgren on the opportunities within the MENA market | Podcast

The PocketGamer.biz podcast team and guests give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode…

MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 winners revealed

And The Winners Are...

MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 winners revealed

Ceremony celebrates the best and brightest across the Middle East and Africa

Partner events are the latest trend in Monopoly GO!, Royal Match and Project Makeover

Partner events are the latest trend in Monopoly GO!, Royal Match and Project Makeover

GameRefinery GM Brendan Fraher delves into the rise of partner events, while also providing insights on competitive events in match-3

How user consent for personalised ads can significantly increase your Android revenue

Boosting Revenue

How user consent for personalised ads can significantly increase your Android revenue

GameBiz Consulting's Božo Janković on the power of personalised ads and why testing is key

Dubai wants to be a top 10 games industry hub by 2033

Dubai Driving Growth

Dubai wants to be a top 10 games industry hub by 2033

UAE hopes to create a $1 billion games sector over the next 10 years

Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects begins today featuring GameFounders, iDreamSky, Ubisoft, Tencent and more!

Dubai Gameexpo Summit

Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects begins today featuring GameFounders, iDreamSky, Ubisoft, Tencent and more!

Conference takes place from May 1st to 2nd

ESL FACEIT and Qiddiya Gaming discuss establishing gaming district in the KSA amidst MENA growth

ESL FACEIT and Qiddiya Gaming discuss establishing gaming district in the KSA amidst MENA growth

"We’re not afraid to imagine the future and we’re willing to take risks to be the best in the world"

Mobile Mavens: What's the state of play for the MENA region?

Mobile Mavens: What's the state of play for the MENA region?

Our Mavens share their thoughts on MENA market opportunities and offer advice for those doing business in the region

Nifty Craft founder Vince Ghossoub on making a card battler MMO and growth in the MENA region

Nifty Craft founder Vince Ghossoub on making a card battler MMO and growth in the MENA region

"Nifty Craft utilises state of the art technology and is innovating in-game design, what more can I ask for"

Maysalward, Tamatem and Nifty Craft CEOs on Savvy Games Group's KSA and MENA investment

Mena Investment

Maysalward, Tamatem and Nifty Craft CEOs on Savvy Games Group's KSA and MENA investment

A trio of MENA's prime movers believe that investment can drive innovation “by working together, sharing resources, and leveraging each other's strengths."

"Gaming in MENA is just starting. Investment will bring more attention to the region and create more opportunities"

Tamatem Games' CEO Hussam Hammo explains the state of play for MENA and how the region is set to surge ahead

The amazing companies you could meet at next week's Dubai GameExpo Summit!

Gameexpo Summit

The amazing companies you could meet at next week's Dubai GameExpo Summit!

Network with 1,000+ games industry professionals in MENA this May 1st and 2nd

Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 10-track conference schedule revealed!

Gameexpo Summit

Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 10-track conference schedule revealed!

Everything from AI to Web3... and MENA's unrivalled growth

The Esports Future Summit in Jordan gets set to impress

The Esports Future Summit in Jordan gets set to impress

As part of a week of gaming events for Jordan's 2024 Gaming Summit, this weekend's conclusion squarely places Jordan as the epicentre of esports

Pocket Gamer MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 finalists revealed

Mena Games Awards 2024

Pocket Gamer MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 finalists revealed

Winners will be revealed on Thursday, May 2nd, during the Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024

Savvy Games Group “fully supportive” of Embracer Group management over break-up plan

Embracer Break-up

Savvy Games Group “fully supportive” of Embracer Group management over break-up plan

Saudi Arabia publisher was reportedly behind the failed $2 billion investment deal that led to company's current crisis

Saudi Arabia's esports world cup's has the largest prize pool ever with $60m up for grabs

Esports World Cup

Saudi Arabia's esports world cup's has the largest prize pool ever with $60m up for grabs

The EWC features a diverse lineup of 19 games, including popular titles such as Apex Legends, Fortnite, and League of Legends

“The MENA region is definitely a focus for Kwalee and we want to build more partnerships there”

“The MENA region is definitely a focus for Kwalee and we want to build more partnerships there”

Kwalee’s Sayeed Rahman discusses what the team looks for in its partnerships, expansion into the MENA region and the trends and challenges facing the mobile games industry

Ramadan sparks rise in Middle East mobile app downloads and purchases

Mobile App Trends

Ramadan sparks rise in Middle East mobile app downloads and purchases

Financial apps saw a 39% increase in conversions, food delivery apps experienced a 169% spike in NOIs, while eCommerce apps showed a solid 27% growth

Mid-term discounts end Thursday for Dubai GameExpo Summit

Gameexpo Summit

Mid-term discounts end Thursday for Dubai GameExpo Summit

Join the global games industry in Dubai this May 1st and 2nd - tickets reach full price this week

Savvy Games Group's Steer Studios soft launches debut game Grunt Rush

Savvy Games Group's Steer Studios soft launches debut game Grunt Rush

Strategy title listed on India's Google Play store

"The continent is shattering stereotypes about 'emerging' markets. The African gaming market has already emerged"

African gaming is real and Carry1st growth lead Spencer Ma reckons they've "only scratched the surface of its vast potential"

How On the Edge is using mobile games to tell real-life stories

Educating Through Games

How On the Edge is using mobile games to tell real-life stories

We spoke with On the Edge’s Brera Razzaq about using mobile gaming as a platform to highlight the battles of endangered species

Xsolla’s Andrey Kalugin talks web shops tips to get users out of mobile

Web Shop Wisdom

Xsolla’s Andrey Kalugin talks web shops tips to get users out of mobile "jail"

Speaking at the Dubai GameExpo Summit 2023 powered by PG Connects, Andrey Kalugin suggested that devs should tailor their discounts since "whales don’t want to save money"

Sandsoft's internship program produces two new full-time hires

Sandsoft's internship program produces two new full-time hires

“At Sandsoft, we're committed to building a diverse team with 29% of our workforce being female, above the industry average," said VP head of studio Yahsir Qureshi

Maysalward partners with Choose Kind Jo for game design challenge to promote mental health

Maysalward partners with Choose Kind Jo for game design challenge to promote mental health

Winners will receive a $700 prize and a publishing deal with Maysalward and Choose Kind Jo

MENA developers impress at Game Zanga (Special Edition) - see results

MENA developers impress at Game Zanga (Special Edition) - see results

"Game Zanga has been a beacon of inspiration and motivation for game makers in the Arabic region"

Breaking down the Sensor Tower interview and 10 years of Monument Valley | Week in Mobile Games podcast

Podcast | Episode 06

Breaking down the Sensor Tower interview and 10 years of Monument Valley | Week in Mobile Games podcast

The PocketGamer.biz team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and and what's inside this week's episode 06…

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

Secure your seat, savings and success in Dubai's games industry!