The oil-rich nation has invested billions into esports companies like Nintendo, Take-Two, EA and Activision Blizzard|@nextwrldsa|X
After making big moves in the sports world—bagging soccer superstars like Neymar for the Al Hilal club and entering the multi-billion dollar LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger—Saudi Arabia wants in on gaming now.
The Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) kingdom has recently acquired mobile developer Scopely for $4.9 billion and esports organizations ESL and Faceit for $1.5 billion.
It also has an additional $13 billion “for the acquisition and development of a leading game publisher,” reports the Verge.
The oil-rich nation has invested billions into esports companies like Nintendo, Take-Two, EA and Activision Blizzard through its Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Savvy Games Group.
Why?
The move signals MBS’s broader plan of economic diversification and social transformation for the country, using oil-derived wealth.
Saudi’s investments in globally watched games like soccer, golf, cricket, WWE, and foray into movies—by establishing the Red Sea International Film Festival—have bolstered the country’s position in the global landscape.