Saudi Arabia’s gaming market is booming and is expected to double in the next few years. The Kingdom saw a 41.4% growth in the number of people playing games being 21.2m across the country.
Some of the most popular games are; FIFA, DOTA, and Fortnite, and with such a young population (51% being under 25) playing video games is soon going to be the most favorite pastime.
Gaming and esports is a big part of Mohammed Bin Salman’s (MBS) vision 2030, which diversifies the Kingdom’s interests away from oil. MBS has a very ambitious plan for the country and in 2017, appointed Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud to head the brand new Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS). Prince Faisal who is himself an avid gamer wants to change stereotypes about gaming such as being lazy on the couch for 10 hours a day to something more positive.
He is at the forefront of an esports revolution and wants gaming and esports to equate to 1% of the country’s GDP by 2030 being approximately 80 billion Riyals ($21.3bn). That would be a monumental increase; currently, the industry is worth 600 million Riyals ($160m), so the 2020s will be an interesting decade for gaming and esports in the Gulf State.
Saudi Arabia is investing in new emerging industries such as gaming, blockchain, and AI. The Kingdom plans on expanding its interests in the esports industry in many different ways. For example, the Sovereign Wealth Fund – PIF has $3.3bn invested in US gaming companies.
Even though MBS and Saudi Arabia have expressed their admiration for gaming there are still many games banned in the Kingdom. The very popular Grand Theft Auto series for example is prohibited as well as many other games such as Assassins Creed, God of War and Resident Evil. Moreover, outside of video games, players in the Kingdom are prohibited from casino games like roulette. However, with the use of a VPN, Arab players can safely enjoy roulette from their own homes. Comparison sites check the best roulette casinos including live dealer ones. Additionally, they advise on how to play as well as allow you to play online for free.
Restrictions in the country have always concerned Westerners, and whether the 2030 plan will work to diversify away from oil remains to be seen. Tech — in particular gaming is a big part of it, however, it begs the question if ever games should be prohibited from the people by the Government. Innovation will ultimately suffer and having Government approved games is a slippery slope.
Saudi Arabia has some of the best FIFA and Call of Duty players and is starting to produce esports celebrities. Take, for example, Musaed ‘Msdossary’ Al Dossary; a FIFA world champion who has recently turned pro at Call of Duty. He has a huge social media following with over 300k on Twitter and over 250k on Instagram.
High-profile influencers such as Msdossary help with the promotion of Saudi Arabia becoming a gaming behemoth. As well as having some very talented gamers, Saudi is also hosting numerous esports events to boost its global profile. They have recently launched the Saudi Arabia eLeague in which there are five titles being played all for impressive prize pools. The games in the 2021 Saudi eLeagues are Dota 2, Overwatch, Rainbow Six Siege, CS: GO, and Rocket League.
A notable example of Saudi Arabia’s involvement in gaming is the eMBS FIFA Cup which is named after the Crown Prince personally. The tournament was invented in 2018 to show Saudi Arabia’s seriousness in the esports world. The 2021 tournament paired professional football players from Saudi Arabian clubs with elite-level FIFA pro gamers. Moreover, the event is part of a $10m charity project in conjunction with Gamers Without Borders who are on a mission to distribute the COVID vaccine to the world’s poorest places.
Saudi Arabia and MBS’s big bet on gaming in Saudi Arabia has all the hallmarks to be a success. With a young population already obsessed with gaming, and with the continuing opening up to the West, investment in esports looks like a shrewd move. If they are able to make esports 1% of their GDP by 2030, then the next decade will be very exciting for Saudi Arabian gamers.
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