Image via Clover Moroccan game developers Zakarya Chioua and Hidaya Saf, from Marrakech-based indie developer Clover Studio, have been selected for Game Créalab Francophone 2026, where they will further develop their upcoming game Sky Drift. The two-week residency takes place in Chartres, France, from October 9 to 22, bringing together five creative teams from France, Luxembourg, Morocco, Switzerland and Belgium's Wallonia region. Chioua and Saf will represent Morocco with Sk

Image Via Center of Digital Entrepreneurship (CODE) Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched the third edition of Saudi Game Champions, a six-month programme designed to support local talent in game development. The programme is being run through the ministry’s Center of Digital Entrepreneurship (CODE) in partnership with the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), and will take place in Riyadh. The six-month programme will com

Fourcast Studio CEO Hani Audah discusses Saudi Arabia’s growing indie game scene, Loss Prevention, global ambitions and the road ahead.

Niko Partners' Danial Ahmad explains where MENA gaming goes next, from esports and localization to regulation, talent and sustainable growth.

Image via NAFES Jordanian gaming and esports companies are set to gain access to technical support and potential funding under a new programme targeting the country’s creative industries. The National Fund for Enterprise Support (NAFES) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to establish a joint support pathway for Jordanian small and medium-sized enterprises. Around 20 SMEs will be selected across three areas: gami

NIP Group CEO Hicham Chahine explains why Abu Dhabi is central to the company's plans to build gaming talent and a wider regional ecosystem.

Image via LunaTone Japanese gaming and esports company LunaTone has launched a new Middle East operation in Riyadh, expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. The Tokyo-based company said LunaTone ME will act as its regional base, connecting partners in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf with its gaming, esports, education and digital content capabilities and networks in Japan and South Korea. The Riyadh operation will be led by Metab Altawill, LunaTone’s Regional Direc

Image via Abu Dhabi University Abu Dhabi University has partnered with Pearson to strengthen its Bachelor of Arts in Video Game Design programme, as the UAE continues to invest in developing local talent for its growing games industry. Under the partnership, Pearson will become a preferred academic content and digital learning partner for the programme at Abu Dhabi University’s College of Arts, Education and Social Sciences. The collaboration will give students access to Pear

Image via DMCC DMCC Gaming Centre has released a new report following a closed-door gaming industry roundtable held at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne. The Financing the Future of Gaming report brings together key themes and findings from the session, which included game studio founders, publishers, investors, payments specialists, technology providers and other industry stakeholders. The roundtable examined whether the financial infrastructure supporting gaming has kept pace with c

Image via Pocket Gamer Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan will return to Amman on November 7–8, bringing together developers, publishers, investors and other games industry professionals for two days of talks, networking and business opportunities. The international games industry conference series has confirmed its return to the Jordanian capital for 2026, with this year’s event placing a particular emphasis on supporting the local development community and connecting Jordanian ta

Karl Magnus Troedsson, former General Manager of DICE and former VP of Group Strategy at Electronic Arts Abu Dhabi Gaming is bringing together developers, studios, investors and other members of the UAE games industry for the latest edition of Abu Dhabi Gaming Connect, taking place on Thursday, September 24 at Sandstorm Studio on Yas Island. Connect is a recurring Abu Dhabi Gaming initiative designed to bring together studios, developers and talent from across the local ecosy

Image Via Zoud The UAE’s National Financial Wellbeing and Sustainability Initiative, Zoud, has partnered with Global Game Jam to launch Zoud GameLab, a new international game jam focused on using games to promote financial literacy. The fully virtual competition will take place from October 15 to November 15, 2026, inviting game developers, designers, artists, writers, teams and studios from around the world to create games that explore financial concepts and everyday money d

Image via Savvy Games Group Savvy Games Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to expand support for local talent, entrepreneurs and startups in the Kingdom’s games and esports industry. Under the agreement, Savvy Academy programmes and masterclasses will be made available through the Saudi Digital Academy, widening access to games industry training and expertise. The partnership will als

Image via The National Development Fund (NDF) More than 127 game titles have received development support through Saudi Arabia's Gaming and Esports Financing Program, according to a new report detailing the programme's achievements. The National Development Fund (NDF) said more than SAR421 million ($112 million) in financing had been approved by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, benefiting 82 entities across the sector. The programme has supported the completion of 43 g

Image via Roblox Roblox is set to establish its regional headquarters for the Middle East and North Africa in Riyadh, expanding the gaming and creation platform's presence in Saudi Arabia as it increases its investment in the Kingdom. The move was supported through collaboration with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment (MISA), Riyadh Creative District and the General Authority of Media Regulation (GMedia), and forms part of Roblox's plans to support the country's growing cr

Image via 3D Game Jam / AssetHub Saudi Arabia is hosting a three-day game jam bringing more than 200 developers, artists and designers together with veteran Japanese game creators to build playable prototypes using AI and 3D technology. The 3D Game Jam kicked off on August 27 at Code Lab, King Saud University in Riyadh and runs until August 30, with participants able to take part both in person and online. Powered by AI 3D platform AssetHub, the event challenges teams to move

Image via Gamescom Morocco has made its official Gamescom debut with 11 homegrown game studios, as the North African country looks to increase the international reach of its emerging gaming industry. The country is exhibiting at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany, through its national pavilion, bringing Moroccan developers face-to-face with international publishers, investors and potential partners. It marks Morocco's first official participation in Gamescom and comes as the c

Image via MBC Game Studio Saudi Arabia's growing ambitions in the global gaming industry have taken another major step forward with the reveal of 1001 Threads of Mizan, a large-scale action-adventure from MBC Game Studio that brings Arab folklore and storytelling into the AAA gaming space. Backed by MBC Group, the Saudi media and entertainment company headquartered in Riyadh, MBC Game Studio is developing the title as its first original game. The project represents a notable

The Indie game development ecosystem is thriving in the MENA region and here are some of the names to watch out for.

Exel by Merak has announced three intensive, in-person classes aimed at developing practical skills for Saudi Arabia’s growing video games industry. The Gaming Premium Class programme will take place at KAFD in Riyadh from October 25 to November 12, 2026. Each course will run for five evenings, Sunday through Thursday, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The programme comprises three tracks: Video Game Studio Leadership - October 25-29: Covering leadership, communication, team building an