Image via Abu Dhabi Gaming Abu Dhabi Gaming will host Finnish games industry executive Joni Lappalainen at its next AD Gaming Connect event on October 29, with a session focused on building and managing sustainable game development studios. The event, titled How to Build and Run a Gaming Studio in 2027, will take place at Sandstorm, Yas Creative Hub, Abu Dhabi, from 4pm to 8pm. Lappalainen is CEO of Finnish game developer Dreamloop Games and Chairperson of the Finnish Game De

Image via Euro University of Bahrain Euro University of Bahrain (EUB) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bahrain E-Sports Federation to strengthen links between higher education and Bahrain's gaming and esports industry. The agreement aims to provide EUB students with practical exposure to esports, opportunities to engage with industry professionals and skills development beyond traditional classroom learning. The partnership will also support greater collabora

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 Mastercard / Tamatem Mastercard and Jordan-founded games company Tamatem have partnered to expand payment options for players and game publishers across the Middle East and Africa. Under the agreement, Mastercard Gateway will become the payment gateway behind Tamatem Plus, the company’s digital commerce and payments platform, across more than 13 markets. The rollout will begin in Saudi Arabia and the UAE before expanding across the wider region. Tamatem Plus provide

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

Image via Entertainment & Leisure MENA DMCC Gaming Centre has joined Entertainment & Leisure MENA 2027 as its official Gaming Ecosystem Partner, as the Dubai exhibition expands its focus on gaming and esports. The partnership will see DMCC Gaming Centre contribute to the event’s gaming and esports programme, including industry content and networking aimed at connecting gaming companies with operators, technology providers, investors and brands. E&L MENA 2027 will take place a

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 Niko Partners Japanese video game franchises that introduced Arabic localization and increased their local market presence saw their share of sales from the GCC rise by an average of 33.2%, according to new research from Niko Partners. The research brief, commissioned by Media City Qatar in collaboration with games market intelligence firm Niko Partners, examines the growing relationship between Japan’s games industry and players across the Gulf Cooperation Council.

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 Scopley Savvy Games Group-owned Scopely was named the most-honored company at the 2026 Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards, receiving 12 awards and honorable mentions across its gaming ecosystem. The awards were presented during Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, with Scopely taking recognition across its publishing business, individual games and development studios. It marks the second consecutive year Scopely has emerged as the most-honored company at the awards. Scopely rece

Image via Esports Foundation Average live viewership for the Esports World Cup increased 37% year-on-year in 2026, reaching 145,100 viewers, according to a new report from Esports Charts. Total watch time also increased significantly, rising 29.5% compared with 2025 to more than 237 million hours watched across the tournaments and their qualifiers. The figures cover 25 esports tournaments and their qualifiers, with Esports Charts pointing to an expanded competition programme

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

Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking an experienced and dynamic Manager - Gaming IP Partnerships to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying, negotiating, and managing strategic partnerships related to gaming intellectual property (IP). This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to Qiddiya's vision of becoming a leading entertainment destination by leveraging popular gaming brands and IPs to enhance the overall guest experience. Ke

Image via BSF / SEF Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Esports Federation to explore new financing products, investment programmes and specialised banking services for Saudi Arabia's growing gaming and esports sector. The agreement will see the two organisations explore ways of developing the financial ecosystem supporting gaming and esports companies, alongside potential sponsorship of initiatives and tournaments organised by th

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