Rising from the Sands: Saudi Arabia’s Bold Leap into the Global Esports Arena
Riyadh – Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to organize an Esports World Cup, marking a significant stride in the nation’s ambition to become a global gaming and Esports hub. The announcement came from the Gulf kingdom’s de facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who expressed that this initiative is a natural progression in Saudi Arabia’s journey in the Esports sector.
Prince Mohammed, known to be a fan of the Call of Duty series, has been instrumental in driving investments in the gaming sector. Under his leadership, Saudi Arabia has heavily invested in the gaming industry, with notable investments like the $38 billion strategy for the kingdom’s Savvy Games Group, which is owned by the sovereign wealth fund. The overarching objective is to generate 39,000 esports-related jobs by 2030 and position Saudi Arabia as a haven for game developers. The national esports strategy also aims to produce 30 globally competitive games that promote Saudi and Arabic culture by 2030.
The inaugural Esports World Cup is slated for next summer, succeeding the Gamers8 festival, which boasted a prize pool of $45 million this year. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the newly formed Esports World Cup Foundation, likened the Gamers8 event to a precursor for the Esports World Cup. The event is also expected to boost tourism, offering a plethora of activities and events that will transform Riyadh into a gaming capital.
Esports – Esports World Cup Announcement – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – October 23, 2023 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the announcement Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS
However, specifics regarding the games to be included in the Esports World Cup remain undisclosed, with more details anticipated early next year. The only hint provided is that the tournament will feature the world’s most popular games across various genres and will have the most substantial prize pool in esports history.
The official website for the Esports activities in Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Esports Federation. This website provides information related to esports events, tournaments, and other related activities in Saudi Arabia. If you’re looking for specific details about the Esports World Cup, it would be a good starting point.
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Related: Gaming: Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Showcase
