Saudi Arabia’s influence in global video game market grows

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.

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