CODE launches third Saudi Game Champions programme
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 combine specialised mentorship, development support and hands-on experience, with the aim of helping participants turn ideas into playable prototypes and projects.
It is open to developers, designers, entrepreneurs and others interested in game development, with participants working in teams while developing skills across different stages of game creation.
A three-day Game Jam in Riyadh will also form part of the programme, giving teams the opportunity to develop game prototypes and gain practical experience in areas including creativity, collaboration and technology.
The latest edition follows previous Saudi Game Champions programmes focused on developing local game development talent and studios.
The first Saudi Game Champions programme concluded in July 2025 following a nine-month programme that included Game Jam, incubation and acceleration phases. According to CODE, it involved 25 Saudi game studios, more than 180 hours of specialised workshops and over 1,500 hours of mentorship and guidance.
The second edition launched in September 2025 and combined a Game Jam with a game incubation programme. The top 20 teams were set to progress to the incubator, receiving guidance from industry professionals before presenting their prototypes to gaming experts, publishers and investors.
The third edition continues that focus on helping Saudi developers move from early concepts towards playable projects, while supporting the Kingdom’s wider digital entrepreneurship and games ecosystem.
The ministry said the programme aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives around the digital economy and creative industries.
Registration is now open for developers, designers, entrepreneurs and others interested in game development.
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