Interview
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"
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."
Mena Month
"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
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
Gameexpo Summit
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 10-track conference schedule revealed!
Everything from AI to Web3... and MENA's unrivalled growth
Global Events
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
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
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
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
Interview
“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
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
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
Debut Game
Savvy Games Group's Steer Studios soft launches debut game Grunt Rush
Strategy title listed on India's Google Play store
Interview
"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"
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
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"
Jobs In Games
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
Mena Market
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 Region
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"
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…
Mena Month
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"
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
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
Mena Month
It’s MENA Month on PocketGamer.biz
We'll be highlighting the exciting teams, projects and major news from the region
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…
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
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
Web3 Expansion
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
Esports Growth
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
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!
Mena Market
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.”
Vision 2030
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."
Gaming Growth
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
Web3 Gaming
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
Mena Musings
From esports to Heinz, everyone talks gaming at MENA’s Dubai Lynx
ESL Faceit Group, Emirates and Heinz discuss game industry wins
Mena Market
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
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
Mena Market
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
Mena Market
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
Mena
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
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
Mena Focus
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
Aiming High
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
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.
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
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
Development In Mena
Artisan opens new studio in Riyadh
The studio has been created in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment
Mena Market
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
Now In Neom
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