The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has recently begun a process of investment in its gaming community. Over 90% of the gaming population in the Middle East and North Africa area is over the age of 21, fitting with recent changes to age ratings. With the establishment of localized tournaments, eSports have arrived to make the area a centre for gaming culture.
Investment in Saudi Arabian eSports
The investment in eSports has been largest in Saudi Arabia. There are expected to be 5.9 million users by 2029 in the GCC, showing just how lucrative a market this is.
Investment and building for the future are clear to see in the many events that have taken place and are currently planned. This year saw the second GCC Esports League, which had players of Street Fighter 6 and EA FC 25 battle in competitive tournaments. The eSports Olympics are also planned for Riyadh in 2027, bringing new tourism opportunities to the country.
All of this is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 project, which will aim to open up new digital ecosystems and revenue streams. Money has poured into the building of the Qiddiya City Esports & Gaming District, which will be divided into four districts, each dedicated to different genres of gaming.
Further economic developments come from a collaboration between Advanced Initiative, based in Saudi Arabia, and Take-Two Interactive. They will become distributors for many major games, such as Red Dead Redemption and the WWE titles. Demand is increasing, and the regulatory landscape is changing to accommodate it, bringing in a new golden age of gaming in Saudi Arabia.
Changes to Gaming in the GCC
All this signals a widespread change in the approach to different types of gaming in the GCC. Recently, the world-famous franchise Grand Theft Auto was given the go-ahead to release its fifth installment in the country, after its release was delayed because of its content.
Even UAE gambling services can now be accessed online. These websites respect cultural boundaries while providing a range of table games, slots, and live casino entertainment.
The UAE’s Approach to Esports
The Dubai eSports and Gaming Festival has now been running for some time. It contains a range of must-see sights, from tournaments on the main stage to industry summits. Around 28,000 attendees visit every year, showing the scale of what the festival itself describes as a ‘movement’.
Dubai has also unveiled a Program for Gaming 2033. It promises to position it in the top ten cities for Global Gaming Status. Pioneered by the Dubai Future Foundation, it will concentrate on talent, content, and tech, and attempt to attract and grow these three areas.
All of these activities position the Middle East as a hub for gaming and its development. Attitudes are changing, turning it from a niche pursuit to a global phenomenon. For fans of gaming and those in the industry, the GCC may be the next spot on your list of gaming locations to visit.
Heather Neves is working as a freelance content writer. She likes blogging on topics related to parenting, golf, and fitness, gaming . She graduated with honors from Columbia University with a dual degree in Accountancy and Creative Writing.
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