A new report from Savvy Games reveals that Saudi Arabia generated $1.2 billion in gaming revenues in 2024, representing 20% of the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market. This significant growth is a direct result of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to transform the gaming and esports sector into a major economic pillar, contributing to job creation and GDP.
A Market Transformed by Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia is rapidly solidifying its position as a global leader in the gaming and esports industry. The latest report from Savvy Games, the company at the heart of the Kingdom’s strategy, highlights this impressive growth. In 2024, the Saudi gaming market generated a staggering $1.19 billion, making it the highest-earning market in the MENA region. This success is not coincidental; it is a direct outcome of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, a key component of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030. This ambitious initiative aims to create 39,000 new jobs and contribute $13.3 billion to GDP by the end of the decade.
The report forecasts that this growth will continue, with the Saudi gaming market projected to reach $1.64 billion by 2028. This growth is being driven by strong performance across all gaming segments, including a 8.27% CAGR for console gaming, a 7.29% CAGR for mobile gaming, and a 4.01% CAGR for PC gaming. The country’s robust gamer base, which exceeds 25.81 million, provides a fertile ground for this expansion.
Strategic Investments and Global Footprint
Under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Savvy Games is leading the charge by making strategic investments that have a global impact. A prime example is its subsidiary, Scopely, which ranked as the world’s second-highest-grossing mobile publisher in 2024. Scopely’s hit title, Monopoly Go!, generated $3 billion in revenue and was named “Game of the Year,” showcasing the success of Saudi-owned gaming ventures on the international stage.
Beyond acquisitions, Saudi Arabia is actively building its domestic ecosystem. This includes:
- Hosting the Esports World Cup: Riyadh hosted the inaugural Esports World Cup from July 3 to August 25, 2024. The event, which featured 1,500 athletes and a record-breaking $60 million prize pool, cemented the Kingdom’s reputation as a top global esports destination.
- Developing Local Talent: The national strategy aims to harness the “creativity and energy of the Saudi population.” Initiatives like the new game development studio, Steer Studios, are actively working to cultivate the next generation of Saudi game developers.
The Future of a Diversified Economy
The gaming industry’s rapid growth is a key part of Saudi Arabia’s larger plan to diversify its economy away from oil. The Savvy report notes that the global gaming market is now the fastest-growing sector in entertainment, surpassing film, live sports, and music. Saudi Arabia is leveraging this trend by becoming a central player in this new digital economy. The success of this strategy demonstrates that the Kingdom’s investments are not just financial but are also aimed at building a sustainable, talent-rich ecosystem that can compete on a global scale. As the world becomes more interconnected through digital platforms, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to be a central hub for innovation and audience engagement in the years to come.
