Saudi Arabia has cemented its position as a major player in the global gaming industry with the $55 billion acquisition of Sims and Battlefield-maker Electronic Arts, marking its biggest step yet toward Vision 2030’s digital diversification goals.
The influence of Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, is steadily growing in the global video game market, which is expected to reach $600 billion within the next five years. Industry data from Grand View Horizon shows the market’s value rose from about $300 billion in 2024 to $337 billion so far in 2025.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has been the driving force behind this expansion, making high-profile investments in major gaming companies and initiatives tied directly to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan. The National Gaming and Esports Strategy (NGES), launched in 2022, positioned gaming as a key sector in the kingdom’s economic diversification agenda.
The landmark purchase of Electronic Arts for $55 billion through a Saudi-led consortium, with PIF as the largest investor, became the biggest gaming deal since Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the developer behind World of Warcraft and Call of Duty.
Through Savvy Games Group, a PIF-backed entity, Saudi Arabia has also made significant inroads into the global e-sports scene. The group bought Los Angeles-based Scopely for $4.9 billion and previously acquired two major tournament organisers, ESL and FaceIt, for $1.5 billion combined.
Saudi Arabia’s ambitions have been showcased through initiatives such as the Gamers8 festival, which began in Riyadh in 2022 and has since grown into one of the world’s premier e-sports events. Its 2023 edition featured an unprecedented $45 million prize pool, setting a record in competitive gaming.
The kingdom’s focus on gaming reflects both cultural and demographic realities. Research cited by the law firm Bird & Bird shows that between 67% and 89% of Saudis regularly play video games, with nearly half of Saudi women identifying as gamers—far above the global average.
As Saudi Arabia deepens its investments, its growing footprint in the gaming industry signals a strategic shift not only toward economic diversification but also toward shaping the future of global entertainment.
Georgia plans to cover the overwhelming majority of its natural gas consumption in 2026 through imports from Azerbaijan, according to the gas balance ...
Britain’s government has launched a TikTok account featuring footage of raids on migrants suspected of working illegally, as part of an effort to pe...
Pope Leo is planning to visit Angola as part of a wider tour of several African countries, the Vatican’s ambassador to Angola said on Tuesday, in wh...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has rejected criticism over the import of fuel from Azerbaijan, saying such concerns are “unfounded” and a...
The BBC will file a motion to dismiss President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit which is based on the editing of a speech appearing to encourage ...
Türkiye is reportedly in discussions to join the defence alliance between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, a strategic move that could reshape security dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia.
Yemen’s internationally recognised government has accused UAE-backed southern separatists of restricting access to the port city of Aden, warning it would take “all necessary measures” as tensions persist despite renewed talk of dialogue.
The head of Yemen’s Presidential Council, Rashad al-Alimi, has ordered all forces linked to the United Arab Emirates to leave Yemen within 24 hours.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has launched a five-day joint anti-terrorism exercise codenamed Sahand-2025 in Iran’s northwest province of East Azarbaijan under the command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
Real Madrid have parted ways with coach Xabi Alonso, appointing former defender Álvaro Arbeloa as his replacement.
Timothée Chalamet won the Golden Globe for best male actor in a musical or comedy on Sunday for his role in Marty Supreme, beating strong competition in one of the night’s most closely watched categories.
Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano is showing increased activity, with lava flowing from two summit craters and flames, smoke and ash rising from the caldera.
Israel has sharply escalated its warnings to Lebanon amid rising regional tensions linked to Iran, according to a report by the Lebanese newspaper Nida Al Watan.
Iranian authorities have taken steps to disrupt access to Starlink satellite internet, according to users and digital-rights groups, in what appears to be the latest effort to tighten control over people’s access to the internet inside the country.
Britain’s government has launched a TikTok account featuring footage of raids on migrants suspected of working illegally, as part of an effort to persuade voters and potential arrivals that it is getting to grips with what many regard as the country’s most pressing issue: immigration.
Pope Leo is planning to visit Angola as part of a wider tour of several African countries, the Vatican’s ambassador to Angola said on Tuesday, in what could become the pontiff’s first overseas trip in 2026.
The BBC will file a motion to dismiss President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit which is based on the editing of a speech appearing to encourage storming the U.S. Capitol on 6 January.
Hong Kong’s High Court has concluded mitigation hearings for media tycoon and China critic Jimmy Lai, bringing his high-profile national security case closer to sentencing.
French farmers have driven hundreds of tractors into Paris in a renewed protest against an EU-Mercosur trade agreement they say threatens domestic agriculture by allowing cheaper South American imports.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment