In all areas of life, talent and passion are not enough to achieve success, especially if it’s within a competitive field such as the gaming industry. Working on your talent and developing your abilities through continuous learning will contribute to your development on a practical and personal level and open up new horizons.
Many years ago, the government of Saudi Arabia began to pay attention to the creative industries in general and the creative economy in particular, to the extent that it began launching cities dedicated to the development of creative industries with organizational, legislative, and investment advantages, such as the Qiddiya project, which was launched in 2017 to represent a qualitative and quantitative leap in the field of sports and culture, leisure, and economy through a creative vision.
Recently, with support from the Saudi government, DigiPen, a leading game design academy, launched the Game Changers program to support video game startups and provide vocational training for Saudi youth in the gaming industry. The Kingdom is also home to several independent gaming companies, including Manga Productions, Semaphore Labs, and UMX Studios, as well as nearly 100 full-time professionals in esports.
The interest in the gaming and esports sector in Saudi Arabia provides tremendous opportunities for foreign investors and local creators alike. Globally, esports and gaming are worth $175 billion with an annual growth rate of 10 percent, and Saudi Arabia is keen to participate in this rising trend. The Saudi Bank for Social Development estimates that the Saudi video game market is worth $1 billion and is expected to grow to $2.5 billion by 2030. This report also noted that in a national survey of Saudis, 67 percent (equivalent to more than 23 million people) consider themselves to be "gaming fanatics.”
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has also contributed to public-private partnerships and infrastructure investments, including broadband, fiber optics, and 5G, in addition to modernizing utility systems to create a more favorable investment environment. Recently, with the help of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, US-based Activision Blizzard, one of the largest companies in the gaming industry, announced a partnership with Saudi Telecom Company (STC) to host regional servers for one of its most popular titles, Call of Duty, in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Esports Federation was established in 2017 to help grow the industry, develop local talent that can compete internationally, foster partnerships within the industry, and lobby to bring esports to the Olympics. Since its inception, the federation has hosted many world-class national and international sports tournaments, including Players Without Borders, and the Mohammed bin Salman Electronic League Fans Cup, which attracted huge investments locally and globally.
There are many reasons behind the Saudi government's interest in promoting esports and gaming sectors, other than increasing state revenue. It’s only natural that the increasing number of Saudis watching and participating in games and esports will lead to an increase in interest in careers in information technology, coding, software and game development, and project management.
Are you interested in pursuing a career in the gaming industry? If you are, here are 5 steps you need to take to start your career in the industry:
Many of us heard that gaming is just a hobby when we were young, but our reality today proves the exact opposite! If you are passionate about gaming and want those around you to take your passion seriously, this is your time. Participate in the Misk Game Design Program, and be one of the leaders in this emerging sector.
