RIYADH: Savvy Games Group, owned by the Public Investment Fund, has signed a memorandum of understanding with international gaming trading company Xsolla to establish an interactive entertainment center in Riyadh.
Focused on job creation, game development and publishing, the partnership aims to generate 3,600 jobs in the video game industry in Saudi Arabia by 2030. This 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 scale their projects in the Middle East.
The collaboration will also launch key initiatives including the Xsolla Game Development Academy, Incubator and Accelerator programs. These initiatives are designed to nurture talent, support local and international game development studios and position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for the industry.
“This partnership with Xsolla represents an important milestone in our mission to elevate Saudi Arabia’s gaming and esports ecosystem to a global leader,” said Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games Group.
“By combining our resources and expertise, we are creating jobs and building a dynamic, sustainable industry that will drive opportunity and creativity for years to come,” Ward added.
The partnership will also focus on hosting cutting-edge gaming events, funding development projects and connecting local studios with international investors.
The collaboration follows Saudi Arabia’s recent esports boom, highlighted by the country’s first esports World Cup, which delivered a record prize pool of $62.5 million.
It is part of the Kingdom’s national gaming and esports strategy, which aims to create jobs and contribute $13 billion to the country’s gross domestic product.
“We are thrilled to partner with Savvy Games Group on this groundbreaking initiative. Our shared vision for the future of gaming aligns perfectly, and together we aim to empower developers, foster creativity, and support the next generation of talent in Saudi Arabia,” said Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer at Xsolla.
Savvy Games Group also announced a separate memorandum of understanding with Niantic Inc., a global leader in augmented reality and location-based gaming.
Savvy will support Niantic’s expansion in the MENA region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
This collaboration aims to encourage people to play together with their communities through live events and localized content in the region.
Savvy will also help Niantic establish regional operations, including hiring local talent and setting up offices, to accelerate Niantic’s growth and increase mobile player engagement in the Middle East.
“Our partnership with Savvy Games Group will significantly enhance our reach in this dynamic region and support our growing community of players,” said John Hanke, Founder and CEO of Niantic.
Through these partnerships, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a key player in the global gaming and esports sectors, driving innovation and stimulating economic growth.