Saudi Arabia Gaming Market Overview, 2030

The gaming industry in Saudi Arabia is going through a significant change, mostly as a result of the nation's Vision 2030 program. The Saudi government has recognized gaming and esports as important investment areas in its plan to diversify the economy away from oil. Billions of dollars have been invested in transforming Saudi Arabia into a center for the global gaming industry by organizations like the Savvy Games Group, which is supported by the Public Investment Fund PIF. Saudi Arabia is becoming a leader in the gaming industry in the MENA area because of this investment, which is supporting the development of local studios, esports companies, and international collaborations. Console gaming is especially popular among Saudi gamers. Particularly among younger gamers, titles like FIFA, Call of Duty, and Fortnite are really well-liked. Online services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus support the dominance of Xbox and PlayStation consoles in the home gaming industry. In many Saudi cities, console cafes are still prevalent, offering communal areas for competitive play and social gaming. The growing number of female players has been a significant cultural change. A growing number of Saudi women are engaged in gaming communities, both in a recreational and competitive way. The number of Saudi female streamers on sites like YouTube and Twitch is growing, and esports businesses are starting to include women's teams in regional tournaments. This movement is consistent with wider social changes occurring throughout the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has implemented laws governing religious content in the gaming industry to make sure that games produced there adhere to the nation's religious and cultural beliefs. Several foreign publications have been revised or restricted in order to adhere to these criteria. The construction of infrastructure for major esports events is another top priority.

According to the research report, ""Saudi Arabia Gaming Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Saudi Arabia Gaming market is anticipated to add to more than USD 2 Billion by 2025–30. The significant expenditure in esports groups has been one of the notable advancements. Saudi Arabia has invested billions in purchasing stakes in international esports firms, supporting competitions, and creating professional esports teams with the support of the Public Investment Fund PIF and organizations like Savvy Games Group. This aggressive strategy is consistent with the nation's Vision 2030, which aims to make Saudi Arabia a future world leader in the fields of digital entertainment and competitive gaming. At the same time, mobile-first games continue to be the most popular way for people in the kingdom to engage with video games. The widespread use of smartphones, the availability of 4G and 5G networks, and the popularity of free-to-play models have all contributed to the millions of Saudis who now play primarily on their mobile devices. Titles like PUBG Mobile, Clash Royale, and Free Fire are extremely popular, particularly among younger audiences who value the adaptability of mobile gaming. International game developers are increasingly forming partnerships with Saudi firms in recognition of the area's potential. The goals of these partnerships include leveraging local talent, creating culturally relevant material, and increasing market penetration. Importantly, significant publishers are now giving Arabic localization a higher priority, making sure that games are completely translated and culturally adapted. The availability of region-specific events, Arabic voiceovers, and subtitles has greatly increased engagement, making international games seem more accessible to Saudi gamers. The integration of gaming with fintech solutions, which makes in-game transactions smooth and secure, is another significant advancement. The monetization process has been made easier through partnerships between gaming businesses and local financial services, such as telecom billing and e-wallets, which has promoted increased in-game expenditures.

Saudi Arabia's gaming business includes a variety of platforms, each of which contributes to the industry's development in its own way. The most popular platform for mobile games is far and away the most popular, thanks to the proliferation of smartphones, sophisticated 4G and 5G infrastructure, and the ease of playing games while out and about. Games such as Call of Duty: Mobile, Clash of Clans, and PUBG Mobile are widely played by people of all ages. The free-to-play model with in-app purchases is especially successful in the Saudi market, where users are open to paying for cosmetics, upgrades, and exclusive content. Due to its accessibility and wide variety of games, mobile gaming is becoming more and more popular among female gamers and older populations. In Saudi Arabia's more hardcore gaming groups, particularly among esports fans, PC gaming is quite popular. The competitive gaming environment is ruled by titles such as Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and Valorant. PC gaming is frequently the favored platform for competitions and serious gameplay because of the large expenditure in esports infrastructure and skilled teams. Moreover, a large number of Saudi gamers create high-end, personalized computers, demonstrating the region's desire for premium technological experiences. With franchises like FIFA, Fortnite, and Call of Duty, console gaming is also quite popular. PlayStation continues to be the most popular console brand in the nation, followed by Xbox. Consoles are still a major component of Saudi household leisure since many families regard them as entertainment hubs in their homes. Console cafés are still prevalent social spaces in cities. The market for game streaming and cloud gaming is expanding, but it's still a niche. Due to Saudi Arabia's strong internet infrastructure, services such NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Xbox Cloud Gaming are attracting early adopters.

The gaming business in Saudi Arabia is run by a number of income models, all of which support the industry's quick expansion. Free-to-Play F2P with In-App Purchases IAP is the most popular model, particularly in online and mobile games. Titles like Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, and Clash of Clans have become well-known household names, providing free access and generating income through battle passes, cosmetic skins, and unique event material. Saudi gamers, especially those in their younger years, are prepared to make frequent microtransactions in order to improve their gameplay, stand out aesthetically, or get a competitive edge. Fintech integrations, mobile carrier billing, and digital wallets have all contributed to making in-game purchases simple and available to a large audience. The Pay-to-Play P2P model, which includes complete game purchases, continues to be well-liked, especially in the console and PC gaming sectors. Popular titles like FIFA, Call of Duty, and Elden Ring are often bought at full price, whether in physical or digital format. Premium games that have compelling plotlines or competitive multiplayer experiences continue to do well in Saudi Arabia, particularly among young adults, where a large proportion of consumers have disposable income. In Saudi Arabia, collector's editions and downloadable content DLC extensions are also popular. Although it is a smaller but nonetheless important segment of the market, ad-supported gaming is primarily found in hyper-casual and casual mobile games. These games appeal to a wide audience, including young kids and casual players who would rather view brief advertisements in exchange for rewards or the chance to keep playing. Although subscription-based models fall under the others category, they are becoming more popular. Saudi gamers may find excellent value in services like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass, which provide access to huge game libraries for a monthly fee.

In the Saudi Arabian gaming market, different age groups engage in distinct patterns that each make a unique contribution to the sector's expansion. Mobile gaming is the most popular pastime for people under the age of eighteen. Popular games like PUBG Mobile, Minecraft, and Roblox are actively played by kids and teens. Gaming acts as a social hub for many younger gamers, allowing them to interact with friends, engage in activities, and even follow gaming influencers on YouTube and TikTok. In accordance with Saudi Arabia's emphasis on digital literacy and early technology adoption for young people, educational games and gamified learning apps are becoming more and more common in schools. The Saudi gaming ecosystem is centered around people between the ages of 19 and 35. With a majority of its members made up of students and young professionals, this segment is very active across mobile, console, and PC devices. This group is particularly drawn to competitive games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and FIFA, with many taking part in esports events or watching online professional competitions. For a set monthly charge, subscription-based services like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass offer these players access to a vast library of games, which has become extremely popular. Many members of this group also contribute to the region's thriving gaming community by working as esports pros, streamers, and content producers. Gaming is often more informal for players 36 and older, but interest is steadily rising. On mobile devices, many elderly gamers like puzzle, strategy, and card-based games for recreation or cognitive stimulation. Family fun or nostalgia-driven play are also frequent uses for console games, particularly those in the racing and sports genres. Older folks are predicted to play a more active and significant role in Saudi Arabia's expanding gaming market as digital literacy increases and gaming becomes more commonplace across generations.

In Saudi Arabia, the gaming environment has unique participation trends across genders, with both male and female players playing increasingly important roles in the market's expansion. In the past, male gamers have dominated the industry, notably in competitive gaming, esports, and console gaming. Particularly well-liked among male gamers are titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and FIFA, many of whom are actively involved in online leagues, competitions, and gaming cafe groups. Saudi men are frequently seen investing in their personal entertainment by purchasing console and PC gaming equipment. Saudi Arabia has made a large investment in esports, including professional clubs and tournaments, which has solidified the male dominance in competitive gaming and created a strong following of male players and enthusiasts. But in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of women working in the Saudi gaming business. Mobile gaming, which has made more women involved due to its accessibility and genre variety, is the main factor behind this change. Saudi women gamers love games like The Sims, Candy Crush, Clash Royale, and Genshin Impact in particular. In the nation, many women are also starting to assume more visible positions in the fields of content production, streaming, and esports competition, especially on sites like YouTube and Twitch. The increasing interest in and acceptance of women in the Saudi gaming market is reflected in the large number of followers that female influencers have amassed. Gender diversity in gaming is being actively promoted by private sector investments and government-sponsored programs. Initiatives that prioritize inclusivity in esports events and women's gaming communities are fostering a safer and more encouraging atmosphere for women.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Gaming Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Platform
• Mobile Gaming (Smartphones & Tablets)
• PC Gaming
• Console Gaming
• Cloud Gaming / Game Streaming

By Revenue Model
• Free-to-Play (F2P) with In-App Purchases (IAP)
• Pay-to-Play (Full Game Purchase)
• Ad-Supported Gaming
• Others

By Age Group
• Less than 18
• 19-35
• 36 and above

By Gender
• Male
• Female Show more