Paul Jones’ Post

There are over 150 million gamers in MENA, but can it become a world leader in the gaming and esports industry? HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a self-confessed avid gamer, is determined to make it happen. Almost 70% of Saudis play video games, spending more than $1 billion a year on them. And under his leadership, the country means business. Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy, launched in 2022. It aims to create 39,000 jobs and contribute $13.3 billion to the nation's GDP by 2030. To this end, the country has committed to investing $38 billion. And things are starting to pick up: 🕹️ Earlier this week, the much-anticipated Esports World Cup launched in Riyadh. It has the largest prize pool in industry history at over $60 million. 💰 The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is setting out to attract 250 gaming companies and studios. They’ve already acquired stakes in major companies like Tencent, Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, and Ubisoft. 🤝 Led by Savvy Games Group, investments in gaming have already surpassed $15 billion, with notable acquisitions including ESL FACEIT Group - EFG and Scopely. ⭐️ There is also no shortage of talented, award-winning local game publishers and developers, like UMX Studio | يومكس ستوديو (Ali A.), Fahy Studios ( Fahad Al-Shibl, Hani Hashem, Owais H.)  and Starvania Studio (Meaad Aflah, Muslih Alzahrani) And the Kingdom is by no means alone in its gaming push. Major government buy-in is visible across the region, with dedicated national gaming and esports strategies also in place in Dubai and Jordan. 📌 In this week's edition of FWDstart, we outline why MENA can become a gaming industry global leader. Join the game, and get the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eVbWNJNp 📥 And let me know your thoughts in the comments 👇

The MENA gaming landscape is poised for a transformative leap, and cross-border collaborations might just be the secret ingredient to success. - Strategic Investments: 💸 Both the UAE and KSA are committing significant resources towards infrastructure and talent development. - Youth Engagement: 🎮 With a young, enthusiastic demographic, the region is ripe for gaming innovation. - Cross-Border Collaborations: 🌍 Partnerships within the MENA region could foster cultural exchanges and diversify gaming narratives. - Local Storytelling: 🏺 Traditional themes and local stories can be woven into game designs to capture a global audience. - Unique Identity: 🌟 Embracing regional stories can help create a distinctive gaming identity that resonates worldwide. - Global Positioning: 🌐 These strategic moves could elevate MENA as a formidable player in the global gaming ecosystem. Cross-border collaborations could enhance cultural understanding, integrate diverse narratives, and propel the MENA region to new heights in the gaming world. What other benefits could arise from cross-border partnerships in the MENA gaming industry? As an avid gamer and certified esports leader let's discuss! #MENA #ksa #uae #esports #gamingindustry

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia's Gaming 🎮 & Esports Powerhouse 🔥: Witnessing the Rise 🚀 The gaming and esports scene in Saudi Arabia has undergone a phenomenal transformation! From vibrant events like Riyadh Seasons to local heroes rising at #NextWrldForum #Gamers8 #Leap & #Ignite, the landscape is thriving. I have been visiting Riyadh frequently for a year and a half and I have closely witnessed this rapid rise. Local teams & aspiring game developers are emerging as creators and innovators, fueled by companies such as Savvy Games Group, Steer Studios ,Nine66, Manga Productions (Misk Foundation), MBC GROUP, Qiddiya | القدية, NEOM, Sandsoft, Artisan Studios, Inc. and many others who are actively promoting localized IPs that resonate with 🇸🇦 culture and some transmedia IPs are already in the works across games, live action film, comics, web series & more coming up soon. This growth is fueled by incredible support from organizations like the National Development Fund (NDF) and Ministry of Investment (MISA) as they're offering substantial incentives to studios, coupled with initiatives from DigiPen Institute of Technology as they're establishing a campus in Riyadh and accelerator programs like Game Changers and other talent development initiatives by Saudi Digital Academy and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia Leading the way is the Saudi Esports Federation, also hosting major international events and conferences on gaming and esports every quarter like The Saudi eLeague, Ignite & Next World Forum. I had the privilege of meeting their Chairman, HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, who is leading the National Gaming & ESports Strategy, part of the #vision2030 of Saudia. It was quite inspiring to hear how he is focusing on talent development for a sustainable growth. It's an exhilarating time for Saudi gaming and esports! The Kingdom is rapidly becoming a global hub for innovation and talent. #SaudiArabia #Gaming #Esports #investment #vision2030 #unrealengine

What does it take to transform a nation into a global gaming hub? 👇🏻 Saudi Arabia isn’t just playing the game; it’s rewriting the rules. With 23.5 million gamers—67% of the population—the kingdom is on a mission to redefine the future of gaming and esports. As the 19th largest gaming market in the world, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in this dynamic frontier. Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom has committed $38 billion through Savvy Games Group to acquire global publishers, develop local talent, and scale competitive gaming. Aligned with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to: 🎮 Develop 30 competitive games by 2030. 🎮 Create 39,000 jobs and add $13.3 billion to GDP. 🎮 Host flagship events like the annual Esports World Cup and the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025. With 89% of the population engaged in gaming—including 42% women and 45% aged 21-35—the kingdom’s young, digitally-savvy demographic is driving growth. Beyond consoles and esports, gaming is fueling innovation across entertainment, tourism, and technology. From the acquisition of Scopely, ESL, and FACEIT to building AAA game studios at NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s gaming journey is well underway. Add to this its world-class digital infrastructure and strategic partnerships, and the kingdom is positioned to become a global leader in gaming and esports. The Middle East gaming market alone is set to grow at 13.88% annually, with revenues expected to hit $2.8 billion by 2026. Saudi Arabia isn’t just joining the global gaming conversation—it’s shaping it. - Via our board seat at Adsolut Media we can monetize games via programmatic video and banner advertisements - Looking forward to meeting like minded investors at ADFW this Tuesday and Wednesday. Mehtta Ventures Dubai Merak Capital

The iGaming landscape is witnessing rapid innovations and strategic expansions that are setting the stage for a transformative year. Here are some key highlights from April and May that are driving the industry forward: Regulatory Advances: Recent regulatory changes are paving the way for new market opportunities. Key regions are updating their iGaming legislation, which is expected to increase market penetration and consumer protection. Technological Breakthroughs in Game Design: The focus on enhancing user experience through advanced game mechanics continues to rise. Innovative game features and interactive elements are being developed to engage players more deeply than ever before. Growth in eSports Betting: eSports continues to be a significant driver for the iGaming industry. With major tournaments becoming more mainstream, betting on these events is introducing new demographics to the world of iGaming. Technological Advancements: Virtual Reality (VR) is revolutionizing the iGaming sector by providing players with immersive environments that mimic real-life casino experiences, signaling a major growth area for the industry. Key Conferences and Summits: The industry calendar is buzzing with major events like the SBC SUMMIT NORTH AMERICA and the CasinoBeats Summit in Malta. These gatherings are crucial for networking, exchanging knowledge, and showcasing the latest industry innovations. 🌍 As the iGaming world continues to evolve, staying ahead of these trends can provide key insights into future opportunities. Let’s continue to navigate this exciting industry together, embracing the innovations that drive growth and success. 🔗 Stay tuned for more updates and let's discuss how these developments can shape the future of iGaming. Connect with us for detailed insights and future forecasts! #igaming #igamingnews

🔍 Saudi Arabia: A Global Powerhouse in the Future of Esports 🎮 CNN published a report titled "Why Saudi Arabia is a Major Player in the Future Development of Esports," emphasizing that the Kingdom is capable of leading the esports sector and innovating it. 🔹 Innovation: CNN reports: "As Saudi Arabia cements its position as a global hub for esports, the Kingdom is shifting its focus to build on this success, proving it is not only capable of leading the sector but also innovating it." The 21st century has witnessed a series of industrial shifts, with traditional fields leveraging advancements in emerging digital technologies. 🔹 New Era of Esports: This especially applies to the gaming industry, which has benefited from video formats and special effects innovations, creating a new era of competitive gaming: esports. As a relatively modern industry compared to traditional gaming, esports presents a significant opportunity for global markets to be at the forefront of change. Recognizing this potential, Saudi Arabia has already claimed its stake in the industry's development. 🔹 New Revenues and Job Creation: In line with its Vision 2030 strategy, Saudi Arabia is pioneering esports innovation to generate new revenues, jobs, and talent globally. The Saudi esports market is expected to grow annually by 9.81%, reaching $15.4 million and creating 39,000 jobs. For the youth, over 68% of whom identify as gamers, this is an opportunity to turn their passion into a career. 🔹 Saudi Youth in Esports: As Saudi youth prepare to take esports to the next level, the Kingdom ensures a solid infrastructure with high-speed internet, entertainment venues, and gaming hubs. This investment has led to 150 esports lounges and the 2024 Esports World Cup hosted in Riyadh. 🔹 Esports World Cup Success: The inaugural Esports World Cup in Riyadh brought together 1,500 global players for a prize pool of $60 million. The event reached 500 million viewers, with over 2 million attendees, and set a new global standard for competitive gaming. 🔹 Looking Forward: With strategic investments and Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom is positioned to become a global leader in esports innovation, creating a limitless sector for growth and new opportunities. #SaudiVision2030 #Esports #GamingIndustry #DigitalInnovation #EsportsGrowth #SaudiYouth #GamingInfrastructure #SEO #MouseSearch #EngineSearchSEO #EsportsWorldCup

It’s an enormous honor and joy to announce that I am joining the Executive Board at LEVELZ GAMING GROUP as Chief Business Development Officer. As we approach phase 2 of the National Gaming & esports strategy and with a record year in front of us - Esports World Cup Season 2 and The Olympic Esports Games, it’s the right time to build one of the next Vision 2030 companies. Oh Boy, I’d love to tell you, what we are planning, but for now let’s just say we are building a 5000m2 headquarter in the heart of Riyadh. Expect major announcements with some of the biggest footballs clubs of the region; automotive & lifestyle brands. I want to use this moment to personally thank 🎮 Sultan Alsaad and the entire executive board for trusting me with this mission. Let’s rock this. Phase 2 is all about infrastructure - onboarding global esports organizations with their own Saudi HQ; leveling up educational pipelines from universities into corporations and building Saudi into a global gaming powerhouse. With Qiddiya | القدية Gaming City, stc Smart City, NEOM and Oxagon the country is currently scaling up all operational capabilities to nurture new ecosystems in gaming & esports; AI and Web3; but also automotive and robot manufacturing on a floating industrial island that is Oxagon which is going to minimize logistics - you can drive with a transport ship directly to the factory to load goods. This is why #Vision2030 is such a smart concept: You break down your countries goals into milestones, formulate a masterplan and roll it out across ministries and the public sector. You gotta build next gen factories, before you can think about chip production with Qualcomm and other partners. It’s definitely fair to say that I’ve lost my heart to Saudi. To its people, who will never stop before they’ve achieved their dreams. It’s the biggest strength of this nation: They have a dream, put it into milestones, formulate a strategy, a master plan and execute on it. This is what Vision 2030 is. All of what you can see now, was just a dream a couple years ago. When I’ve come to Riyadh for the first time in 2021, #Gamers8 was just a dream. Saudi Esports Federation was a pretty small organization that just moved into their new HQ. Team Falcons didn’t really had a headquarter - now they have one that is filled with all the trophies you can think of and they are the pride of this nation. Gamers8 Season 2 was even bigger - with Imagine Dragons, Macklemore, Alan Walker, Swedish House Mafia, Steve Aoki, Afrojack, DJ R3hab and Iggy Azalea who performed on my birthday which was a birthday I’ll never forget :O) And you all know how „Holy Smokes incredible“ Esports World Cup was by Ralf Reichert and a good 1000 incredible people who have built an entire Gaming & esports city for 2 months on a scale that few would have dared to just dream about. If you can dream it, you can build it We are hiring across all division Let's get this party started

The Global Surge of Gaming: Esports Taking Center Stage in the Arab World and Beyond* The gaming industry is a cultural phenomenon transforming lives and economies worldwide. The ongoing esports tournament in Saudi Arabia (Riyad) is a testament to this explosive growth, featuring top games like League of Legends, Dota 2, FIFA, FREE FIRE and CS:GO. This event is not just a showcase of talent but also a glimpse into the future of esports. 🌍🏆 *Latest Highlights:* - 💰 *Massive Prize Pools:* Saudi event boasts a $15 million prize pool, attracting top talent and significant investments. - 🏟️ *Cutting-Edge Venues:* State-of-the-art technology provides an immersive experience for players and spectators. - 🌐 *Global Participation:* Teams from over 50 countries highlight the universal appeal of esports. *Future Scopes:* 1. 🌟 *Economic Impact:* Global esports market projected to reach $3 billion by 2025, driving substantial economic growth through investments, job creation, and tourism. 2. 🎓 *Career Opportunities:* Roles in game development, marketing, event management, and content creation. 3. 🤖 *Tech Advancements:* AI, VR, and AR innovations are redefining gaming experiences. *India's Esports Revolution:* India is emerging as a powerhouse in esports with a young, tech-savvy population and increasing internet penetration. 🇮🇳 - 📈 *Growing Viewership:* Platforms like YouTube and Twitch are seeing a surge in Indian viewership. - 🏅 *Government Support:* Indian government recognizes esports as a legitimate sport. - 🏫 *Educational Opportunities:* Courses related to game design and esports management are on the rise. *How to Improve and Expand:* - 🏗️ *Infrastructure Development:* High-speed internet and gaming facilities are crucial. - 👫 *Community Building:* Local tournaments and gaming communities foster talent. - 🎨 *Public Awareness:* Promoting the benefits of gaming to shift public perception. *Evolution of the Industry:* From arcade halls to colossal arenas, gaming has evolved into a global phenomenon with its own ecosystem, culture, and economy. The journey from Pong to packed esports arenas is a testament to relentless innovation and growth. 🎉 Let’s connect and discuss the future of esports, technology in gaming, and how we can shape the next generation of this dynamic industry. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments! 💬👇 *#Esports #GamingIndustry #FutureOfGaming #IndiaGaming #TechInGaming #EsportsEvolution* *Sources & Further Reading:* 1. [The Rise of Esports in Saudi Arabia - Esports Insider](https://lnkd.in/g9qZ2ANS) 2. [India’s Esports Industry: Growth and Opportunities - KPMG Report](https://lnkd.in/g9_-tPx4) 3. [Technological Innovations Shaping the Future of Gaming - Nvidia Blog](https://blogs.nvidia.com/)

UEFA Euro 2024 starts tomorrow! ⚽🏆 This event is expected to generate around €2.4 billion in commercial revenue, drawing millions of fans who may not follow other leagues or tournaments. Are sponsors leaving money on the table? 💰 In 2020, the Euro Cup attracted over 5 billion viewers globally, with 1 billion unique viewers tuning in for the final match alone. To capture and maintain the interest of these fans, sponsors need to go beyond traditional engagement methods. Imagine the possibilities: 🤳🏻 Interactive Experiences: Sponsors could create immersive VR and AR experiences that bring fans closer to the action, making them feel like they are part of the game. 🎮 Engaging Games: Offering AR treasure hunts, trivia challenges, and other interactive games can keep fans entertained and engaged throughout the tournament. 🎁 Personalized Campaigns: Tailoring offers and content to individual fans’ preferences can significantly boost their interest and interaction with the brand. By adopting these strategies, sponsors can create unforgettable experiences that not only enhance fan engagement but also allow them to collect valuable first-party data and maintain an always-on engagement channel.

Top & Famous Flim & TVC maker Mr. Amitabh Reza (Bangladesh 🇧🇩) is talking about the Gaming Industry! Yes, the industry size is bigger than combined of the other entertainment industry. Let me come up an example (though the comparison may not be viable) the highest ever earnings movie name is Avatar (2.9 Billion) on the otherhand Witch of warcrtaf has earned over 9.23 Billion! GTA, may be u heard its name, earned 8.5 Billion. Upcoming GTA 6 might break all records! In mobile gaming there have multiple games who earn Billion dollars in a single year (PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, even cand crush saga!). This is not the end of Gaming! Inside Gaming there is a Multiverse and its called Esports. Just to tell, the recent esports world cup is going on in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 the prizepool is 60 Million (almost 700 crore BDT). Even Bangladesh 🇧🇩 esports goes aboard to participate esports competition where prizepool remains 2 Crore bdt! There is a esports team in Bangladesh named A1 Esports which played even World cup level global competition in 2021 in Dubai! Its high time to think about it! Gaming doesn’t mean only playing game, its about playing games for passtime, making games, joining competitive esports, production & broadcasting esports tournament, job in gaming compyand more… let’s rethink amd dive into it.