Mobile gaming is a booming industry that attracts millions of players and generates billions of dollars in revenue. Saudi Arabia, a country with a young and tech-savvy population, has recognized the potential of this sector and has ambitious plans to become a global leader in mobile gaming and esports by 2030.
Saudi Esports Federation spearheads the national strategy for gaming and esports
The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) was established in 2017 with the vision of developing and promoting the gaming and esports industry in the country. The SEF is chaired by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, who is also the president of the Arab Esports Federation. The SEF has launched the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which aims to:
- Provide 50 billion riyals (2.6 billion USD) to the country’s GDP by 2030
- Create around 39,000 new direct and indirect job opportunities by 2030
- Enhance the quality of life and entertainment for the citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia
- Attract international and regional investments and partnerships in the gaming and esports sector
- Establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for gaming and eSports events and activities
The National Gaming and Esports Strategy is part of the country’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil.
Mobile gaming is a key focus area for the SEF
According to the SEF, mobile gaming is the fastest-growing segment of the gaming industry, with a projected revenue of 272 billion riyals (72.5 billion USD) by 2021. Mobile gaming is also more accessible and affordable than other platforms, as it only requires a smartphone and an internet connection.
The SEF believes that mobile gaming has huge potential in Saudi Arabia, as the country has one of the highest smartphone penetration rates in the world, with 96% of the population owning a smartphone. The SEF also estimates that there are around 21 million gamers in Saudi Arabia, of which 60% are mobile gamers.
The SEF has been actively supporting and organizing mobile gaming tournaments and events, both nationally and internationally. Some of the notable examples are:
- The PUBG Mobile Star Challenge World Cup 2019, which was held in Riyadh, featured 32 teams from around the world competing for a prize pool of 2.5 million riyals (667,000 USD)
- The Free Fire Arab League 2020, which was held online and featured 12 teams from the Arab region competing for a prize pool of 1.2 million riyals (320,000 USD),
- The Clash Royale Saudi Cup 2020, which was held online and featured 256 players from Saudi Arabia competing for a prize pool of 100,000 riyals (26,666 USD),
The SEF’s Head of Esports shares his views on the importance of mobile gaming
In an exclusive interview with GamingonPhone during MSummit Manila, the Head of Esports at the SEF, Faisal Binhomran, shared his views on the importance of mobile gaming and the mobile esports scene. He said:
- “We believe in this industry; the potential is enriched. The amount of things happening is not even enough; there is a big market, and that is why we believe in this industry. That’s why we’re investing in it.”
- “Mobile gaming is very important for us because it’s the easiest way to reach the masses. Anyone can play mobile games; you don’t need a console or a PC; you just need a phone and an internet connection.”
- “We want to create a healthy and competitive environment for mobile gamers in Saudi Arabia and the region. We want to provide them with the best opportunities and platforms to showcase their skills and talents.”
- “We also want to collaborate with other stakeholders in the mobile gaming industry, such as developers, publishers, sponsors, and media. We want to create a win-win situation for everyone involved.”
Binhomran also revealed that the SEF is working on several projects and initiatives to support and grow the mobile gaming and esports industry in Saudi Arabia, such as building a dedicated esports city, launching a national esports league, and hosting more international events.
Saudi Arabia is clearly on a mission to become a global hub for mobile gaming and esports by 2030. With the support of the SEF and the government, the country is poised to achieve its goals and make a mark on the world stage.
Leave a comment