Saudi Arabia is rapidly positioning itself as a gaming powerhouse, leveraging both state-backed capital and a rising wave of independent studios. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has earmarked gaming and esports as a strategic growth sector, targeting a contribution of $13.3 billion to GDP by 2030 and creating 39,000 jobs in the process. Anchored by initiatives like Savvy Games Group’s $38 billion investment strategy and partnerships with international publishers, as well as the Public Investment Fund's acquisition of EA, the top-down push is unparalleled.
Yet the real transformation is happening at the grassroots. A new generation of Saudi startups - nimble, culturally attuned and globally ambitious - is emerging. These studios are attracting venture funding, experimenting with hybrid-casual and culturally inspired content, and building platforms that empower local developers. Together, they’re turning Saudi Arabia into both a lucrative market for international games, and production hub exporting Saudi-made IP to the world.
Here is a closer look at some of the Kingdom’s most promising gaming startups and the capital fueling their rise.
Kammelna

Kammelna is a Dammam-based studio best known for digitising Baloot, a traditional Saudi card game, into a popular mobile format. In 2024, the company secured a landmark $53 million (SAR 200 million) investment from Impact46, one of the largest Saudi gaming deals to date. With its strong local user base and cultural relevance, Kammelna is now expanding into tournaments, social features, and additional regional card games, anchoring itself as a cultural gaming powerhouse.
Lobah

Lobah is a Saudi mobile games studio that builds its own titles while supporting other developers through a publishing and monetisation platform. In March 2025, it raised $12 million from the Social Development Bank. Founded by Eisa Atawi (formerly CEO of MAU Games), the studio also launched Lobah Play in January 2025. With this funding, Lobah is scaling production on games like Kingdom of Letters, Jackaroo, and Faza, a battle-royale set in the Arabian Peninsula, while positioning itself as a developer hub for Saudi talent.
UMX Studio

Founded in 2014 by Ali Alharbi, UMX is one of Saudi Arabia’s more established gaming studios. It is best known for mobile titles that have collectively surpassed 70 million downloads. In October 2024, UMX secured $4.5 million in an all-cash investment from Jetapult, a firm backed by Accel Partners. The deal gave Jetapult a major stake and provided UMX with the capital to expand into new genres, strengthen user acquisition, and push deeper into global markets.
Spoilz

Spoilz is a Riyadh-based studio focused on mobile game development and LiveOps services. The company has raised venture funding from Merak Capital and Impact46, positioning it as a studio capable of scaling both IP creation and operational support for other developers. Spoilz’s strategy emphasizes building games rooted in regional identity while also serving as a technical and creative partner for publishers in the Middle East.
Spekter Games

Spekter Games is an independent Saudi studio experimenting at the intersection of Web2 and Web3 gaming. It has attracted backing from Impact46, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading VC firms, as part of a broader push into next-generation content. Spekter Games’ portfolio includes both mobile-first titles and explorations into blockchain-enabled gameplay, positioning it as one of the Kingdom’s more experimental studios.
Fahy Studios

Fahy Studios is a hybrid-casual mobile games developer with ambitions to scale internationally. It has received early-stage backing from Impact46 and participated in programs like NEOM Level Up, designed to connect Saudi startups with global publishers. Fahy’s focus is on creating lightweight, addictive mobile titles that balance local themes with mass-market appeal.
NJD Games

NJD Games is another Saudi mobile-first studio building casual and mid-core titles. Backed by Impact46, NJD is focused on improving game retention and monetisation mechanics, while targeting the rapidly expanding MENA mobile audience. Its model leans heavily on agile development cycles and fast iteration to capture market trends.
Alpaka

Alpaka is a Saudi studio specialising in action-driven hybrid-casual mobile games. Also supported by Impact46, Alpaka is developing new mechanics that bridge the gap between casual playability and deeper mid-core engagement. With MENA mobile gaming revenues growing rapidly, Alpaka aims to produce globally competitive titles born in Saudi Arabia.
Starvania

Starvania is an indie studio creating PC and console games with a strong narrative and fantasy orientation. As part of the Impact46 portfolio, Starvania represents the diversification of Saudi’s gaming scene beyond mobile, pushing into premium titles that could appeal to global audiences. The studio’s work highlights how Saudi creativity is expanding into multiple gaming genres.
Game Cooks

Game Cooks is a cross-platform developer creating VR, mobile, and PC games. Originally founded in the region, the studio has been integrated into Saudi Arabia’s growing startup ecosystem through investment by Impact46. Its diverse portfolio and cross-platform expertise make it one of the more versatile players in the Saudi indie space.
Sheba Joy

Sheba Joy is a rising mobile gaming studio with a mission to create culturally resonant yet globally appealing games. Founded in 2021 by Ebrahim Al Hussam and Faisal Aidaros, the studio initially launched in Dubai but has since relocated its HQ to Riyadh. In August 2025, Sheba Joy raised $293,000 in a pre-seed round led by Merak Capital. The funds are being used to expand its production team and release more titles: the company has already launched two games and plans to publish four more before the end of 2025.