The Rise of Game Development in Saudi Arabia

October 26, 2025 — This week, I attended the Saudi Games Conference in Riyadh, and the energy was electric. The Kingdom's gaming industry isn't just growing—it's exploding. With Savvy Games Group's recent $38 billion investment announcement and new game studios opening monthly, October 2025 marks a turning point for Saudi game developers.

Let me share what I'm seeing on the ground and why now is the perfect time to build games in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Gaming Market (October 2025 Update)

Latest Stats:
- 24.2 million gamers in Saudi Arabia (up from 23.5M in 2024)
- $1.3 billion gaming market (20% YoY growth)
- 71% mobile gamers (still dominant)
- Average spend: $295/year per gamer (increasing)
- 3 new AAA studios launched in 2025

Why Saudi Arabia Right Now?

1. Government Support
The Saudi Esports Federation and Savvy Games Group are investing billions in gaming infrastructure, tournaments, and studios.

2. Cultural Shift
Gaming is no longer seen as "just for kids." It's mainstream entertainment, with professional esports players becoming celebrities.

3. Untapped Stories
Saudi culture, history, and mythology offer rich narratives rarely explored in games.

Types of Games That Work

Mobile Hyper-Casual
- Quick sessions (2-5 minutes)
- Simple mechanics
- Arabic localization
- Examples: Subway Surfers, Candy Crush

Mid-Core Mobile
- Deeper gameplay (15-30 min sessions)
- Progression systems
- Social features
- Examples: Clash of Clans, PUBG Mobile

PC/Console
- Story-driven experiences
- High production value
- Global appeal with local flavor
- Examples: Assassin's Creed Mirage

The ATK Game Development Process

Phase 1: Concept (2 weeks)
- Game design document
- Core mechanics prototype
- Art direction
- Monetization strategy

Phase 2: Prototype (4-6 weeks)
- Playable vertical slice
- Core loop validation
- Early playtesting
- Tech stack finalization

Phase 3: Production (3-6 months)
- Full feature development
- Art production
- Sound design
- QA testing

Phase 4: Launch (2-4 weeks)
- App Store optimization
- Marketing materials
- Soft launch (select markets)
- Full launch

Tech Stack for Saudi Games

Engine:
- Unity (most popular, great mobile support)
- Unreal Engine (high-end graphics)
- Godot (open-source, lightweight)

Backend:
- PlayFab (Microsoft, excellent for mobile)
- Firebase (Google, easy integration)
- Supabase (open-source alternative)

Analytics:
- GameAnalytics
- Unity Analytics
- Mixpanel

Monetization Strategies

Free-to-Play (F2P)
- In-app purchases
- Rewarded video ads
- Battle passes
- Best for mobile

Premium
- Upfront purchase
- No ads
- Better for PC/console

Hybrid
- Free base game
- Premium DLC/expansions
- Works for all platforms

Common Mistakes

1. Over-Scoping
Start small. A polished hyper-casual game beats an unfinished RPG.

2. Ignoring Arabic
67% of Saudi gamers prefer Arabic interfaces. Don't skip localization.

3. No Soft Launch
Test in smaller markets first. Iterate based on data.

4. Poor Onboarding
Players decide in 30 seconds if they'll keep playing. Make it count.

Success Stories

Saudi-Made Games:
- Unearthed: Trail of Ibn Battuta - First Saudi AAA game
- Camel Ride - Hyper-casual hit (10M+ downloads)
- Manga Clash - Mid-core success in MENA

The Future

Saudi Arabia is building:
- Game development studios
- Esports arenas
- Gaming academies
- Publishing infrastructure

The next decade will see Saudi-made games competing globally.

Conclusion

Game development in Saudi Arabia isn't just viable—it's thriving. With the right approach, your game can reach millions.

Ready to build your game? [Let's talk](https://atkabli.com/contact).

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ATK — Licensed Freelance Product Studio
Building games that Saudi players love.