Savvy Games Pursues Japanese Partnerships to Boost Saudi Gaming Industry
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: Savvy Games Group, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is reportedly pursuing deeper partnerships with leading Japanese game developers, including Nintendo and Capcom. This initiative aims to expand the gaming market in the Middle East and establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for gaming and esports, according to a report by Nikkei Asia.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who chairs Savvy Games, is a strong advocate for promoting Saudi Arabia’s gaming sector. The focus is on collaborating with Japanese developers to localize content and grow intellectual properties in a region that is currently underserved.
“One of the main areas is how do we collaborate on localization products and help Japanese intellectual properties grow in a region that right now is underserved because very little is localized,” stated Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al-Saud, vice-chair of Savvy Games Group.
During a trip to Tokyo in late May, Prince Faisal met with representatives from several prominent Japanese gaming companies. “Game development is our long-term goal; we want to build a global hub for gaming and esports,” he emphasized.
Savvy Games Group hopes that major industry players such as Nintendo, Bandai, Capcom, and Konami Group will establish offices in the Middle East. The company also aims to secure deals for its esports unit and expand its game development capabilities.
Financial reports from March 2023 indicate that the PIF owns 8 percent of Nintendo and 6 percent of Capcom. Additionally, in 2023, the PIF acquired mobile game developer Scopely for $4.9 billion and two esports event companies for $1.5 billion in 2022.
This strategic move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to diversify its economy and enhance its cultural and entertainment offerings. By fostering partnerships with established gaming giants, Savvy Games Group seeks to leverage their expertise to boost the local gaming industry and position Saudi Arabia as a key player in the global gaming and esports arena.
