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Saudi Arabia’s Gaming Sector Is Quickly Gathering Momentum
Around 3,000 locals already attend Gamers8, an 8-week eSports festival in Riyadh, with a tournament prize pool of $45 million.
Saudi Arabian locals make no secret of their passion for video games and eSports, with even Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman rumored to be an avid Call of Duty player.
Last year, the Saudi royal announced a $38-billion investment strategy for the Kingdom’s Savvy Games Group, which is owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund.
Meanwhile, as Gamers8 — an eight-week eSports festival in Riyadh with 3,000 attendees — gathers momentum, the government is increasingly emphasizing local game production, hoping to turn Saudi Arabia into “an Eden for game developers” with homegrown titles promoting Arabic culture.
“In the past, Arabs were only buying games, not developing games. Now, there is an opportunity to develop games, design your own ideas, and make them a reality according to local customs and traditions,” explained developer Mohammed Al Fakih.
Two-thirds of the non-immigrant population of Saudi Arabia is aged under 30, making the country an important player in the world video game market. In addition, some 25,000 domestic and foreign developers are currently working to find the winning formula that will help a locally-produced title break out on the world stage.
“With the expertise coming from outside and the knowledge being transferred, we will soon notice some games that can really take off internationally,” said Faisal bin Homran, chief eSports officer at the Saudi Esports Federation.
Also Read: Abu Dhabi-Developed AI Arabic Language Model Unveiled
Saudi Arabia’s national strategy has even more ambitious dreams: By 2030, officials hope that 30 globally competitive games will have been produced in domestic studios.
News
Ericsson And e& Join Forces To Bring Superfast 5G To Egypt
The partnership aims to deliver fast, reliable connectivity to private users and enterprises while supporting cross-sector digital innovation.
At GITEX GLOBAL 2024, Ericsson and e& Egypt announced a groundbreaking partnership to roll out 5G technology across Egypt, promising users enhanced connectivity with faster speeds, reduced latency, and expanded bandwidth. The collaboration will cater to the growing demand for advanced mobile services for both consumers and enterprises alike.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will deliver its energy-efficient 5G product suite to establish the new network. This comprehensive 5G Radio Access Network (5G RAN) portfolio, implemented through the Ericsson Radio System, is designed to support diverse traffic conditions and site types. It aims to provide reliable performance as networks grow across mobile generations, equipping Egypt with a stable, high-capacity infrastructure to foster digital innovation.
The adoption of 5G is expected to provide Egyptians with seamless connectivity and increased network resilience. The expanded bandwidth and lower latency brought by this new infrastructure will support not only faster internet for users but also enhance industry operations and contribute to society as a whole.
“We are thrilled to bring 5G to Egypt with our technology partner, Ericsson. Through this partnership, e& Egypt will be able to provide faster connectivity speeds, larger bandwidth, and lag-free user experience to our customers, unlocking many opportunities for consumers and enterprises,” said Amr Fathy, Chief Technology and Information Officer of e& Egypt. “With Ericsson’s cutting-edge 5G solutions, we are paving the way for a more connected and innovative future for Egypt”.
Also Read: Wi-Fi 7, The Next Generation Of Wireless Internet, Is Here
Ekow Nelson, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Unit for e& at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, also reflected on the longstanding collaboration: “Our storied partnership with e& Egypt dates back nearly two decades, with two generational shifts in mobile technology. Like previous generational shifts, our ambition with 5G is to extend e& Egypt’s technology position”.
Ericsson and e& Egypt have collaborated successfully for years, achieving notable milestones in network innovation, customer experience, and sustainable development.