As per the reports, there are 23.5m gaming enthusiasts in the Kingdom, while 21.1m have already played esports titles on a semi-pro or amateur basis.
Gaming consumption in Saudi Arabia is projected to reach $6.8bn by 2030 at an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22% – up from $959m in 2020, according to a Boston Consulting Group report titled Gaming & Esports: Media’s Next Paradigm SHIFT.
As per the report’s findings, the Kingdom is currently home to 23.5m gaming enthusiasts, equivalent to 67% of the national population. Moreover, 90% of this segment – 21.1m –already play esports titles on a semi-pro or amateur basis, with ~100 professional esports players pursuing full-time careers. Given the growth potential of the Kingdom’s gaming and esports community, the coming period represents an advantageous opportunity to ensure related benefits are fully capitalised upon in due course.
Povilas Joniskis, Partner, BCG Riyadh, said: “From a Saudi standpoint, these growth projections undoubtedly bode well for the local gaming and esports community. Despite the Kingdom being a relatively recent entrant to this space, the industry is vibrant and fast-growing, nevertheless. Passionate gamers are primarily powering its growth and popularity at present, and it is more than feasible for them to embark on full-time careers and become involved on the international stage. Yet first, key barriers concerning aspiring Saudi competitors and professionals must be overcome.”
While there is much potential in the Saudi gaming and esports industry today, challenges also await due to the landscape being in an early development stage compared to other international markets, namely a lack of funding to compete full-time, scarcity of local competition, no clear pathway for gamers to become professional, and social stigma associated with choosing a career in gaming and esports.
As such, the Kingdom’s leadership now has an opportunity to capitalise on the widespread passion for gaming and translate the current high level of consumption intensity to a corresponding production intensity.
Already positioned to be a key enabler of ecosystem growth for the industry, the report mentioned the reasons for why the government should support the industry which includes Economic impact, Jobs creation, Robust reputation and Enhanced quality of life.
Additionally, the report demonstrates the vital role of the gaming and esports industry in the Saudi government’s future-focused ‘Vision 2030’ development plans, elaborating on key players already supporting widespread sector development. One local example is Manga Productions, part of Misk Foundation, the government-sponsored non-profit organisation focused on cultivating KSA’s youth as stewards of the region’s economy. Manga Productions is providing funding and financial support, as well as participating in education and talent attraction efforts.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and DigiPen, the major game design academy, recently collaborated to launch the Game Changers programme, which was designed to provide “unique career pathways for entrepreneurs in the Saudi game industry” and increase the number of independent game company startups.
Povilas added: “When examining gaming and esports in Saudi Arabia, we see interest in the industry growing among the government and less traditional business players alike. By focusing on areas for improvement and approving the necessary investments across specific segments, the Kingdom’s economy, reputation, jobs market, and talent pool all stand to reap the rewards.”
