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Esports and gaming

Wemade

Saudi Arabia partners with South Korea’s Wemade to enhance gaming and blockchain sector

The partnership will focus on various initiatives such as training programmes, educational content, game localisation and sponsorship of regional events

Sandsoft

A look at how Sandsoft explores novel technology to engage consumers

Video games is a unique industry which blends art and science, humanities and technology, intuition and data

NFT-based games

The future of NFT-based games

These games have the potential to boost the economy and affect the gaming industry in significant ways

VADR Media

VADR Media acquires Szuperchess for Checkmate.live platform

The acquisition comes in tandem with Checkmate.live’s recent partnership with Tencent Cloud, paving the way for a new era of fair play in the online gaming world

Savvy-backed Scopely LA Office. Image by Scopely

Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games acquires Scopely for $4.9bn

The company will benefit from Savvy’s long-term financial backing to deliver on its strategy to grow and deepen existing franchises

Netflix

Netflix tests idea of expanding gaming service to televisions

Code hidden within Netflix’s app includes references to games played on TVs, signalling that such a plan is in motion

esports K-12 school

This K-12 school in Abu Dhabi launches first esports hub

The facility, located in Aldar Education’s West Yas Academy, will provide students access to gaming equipment, innovative software and immersive experiences

Tencent Cloud

Checkmate.live joins forces with Tencent Cloud

Tencent Cloud has expertise in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, anti-cheat protection, gaming and XR

Nintendo

Saudi Arabia becomes largest outside shareholder of Nintendo

The Public Investment Fund owns 8.3 per cent of the Kyoto-based company, according to its latest filing

Gaming

Gaming: How much is too much for children?

With many children spending a little too much time playing video games, learn to spot the signs things may be spinning out of control

Saudi Mastercard

Saudi National Bank partners with Mastercard, SEF to transform esports

The three entities will explore and develop innovative financial products and offerings that create added value and enhance gamers’ experience

Gamers

Division’s co-founders’ on how brands are engaging with gamers in a structured way

Rather than working with one content creator or gamer over a period of time, Division allows any brand to deploy a campaign at scale

Saudi wealth fund joins $930m pre-IPO bet on Korean anime giant

Saudi Arabia has been beefing up investment and business ties with Korean companies, becoming a major shareholder of NCSoft Corp as well as Tokyo-listed Nexon Co

DMCC announces launch of its gaming centre

DMCC is currently home to over 50 gaming companies, from game developers and producers to esports teams and tournament organisers

Quest esports

Quest Esports opens gaming district in Doha

Last year, the Doha-headquartered company managed five large LAN tournaments and online league matches for games such as Fortnite, CS: GO, PUBG Mobile, Dota 2 and FIFA

chess

The Arab Esports Federation moves into Web3 and launches online chess platform

The federation is headquartered in Riyadh and is led by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan

John Lickrish CEO Flash Entertainment

Flash Entertainment officially opens Saudi headquarters in Riyadh

Since its inception in 2008, Flash Entertainment has worked with global brands, including Disney, FIFA, NBA, UFC and WWE, as well as various international AAA music performers

Games for Change

First MENA Games for Change summit to be held in Abu Dhabi

The two-day summit will be held on October 11-12, 2022 and will connect 300 leaders across Abu Dhabi’s gaming industry

Laliga Football

LaLiga football league partners with Dubai-based Galaxy Racer to spur growth

The joint venture aims to transform the sports league’s brand presence in the Middle East and North Africa region and the Indian subcontinent

Asian Chess Federation

The Asian Chess Federation, Checkmate partner to scale up online competitive chess

Checkmate is a Web3 initiative focused on producing and broadcasting linear and online tournaments for a new generation of players

Sony PS5

Sony unveils high-end PS5 controller with parts you can mix and match

The company is yet to specify a price or release date for the new DualSense Edge wireless controller

Gaming and generation next in the advent of Industry 4.0

Blockchain companies have doubled down on esports to reach gamers, signing multi-year, multi-million-dollar sponsorship contracts

G2 esports

First Bahrain-based female esports gamer joins G2 Esports team

Making her Tier 1 debut at just 16, Maryam has been showcasing her skills in online video games such as Fortnite since 2017

Abu Dhabi Blast

Abu Dhabi to host global esports tournament Blast Premier World Final

The Blast Premier World Final will be held in the Etihad Arena on Yas Island from December 14-18, 2022

Sony

Sony takes a leap into PC gaming gear with new Inzone brand

Sony wants to signal to consumers that it’s making products and games that go beyond the scope of its console ecosystem

Power league Gaming Logitech

Power League Gaming, Logitech G partner to launch ‘stream school’

Stream School aims to assist those who aspire to enter esports and gaming sector by delivering the tools needed to get started

Xbox

PlayStation takes on Xbox with new subscription service

The new service combines Sony’s previous subscription offerings into a three-tiered system

Microsoft Xbox

Microsoft Xbox brings cloud gaming to Samsung smart TVs without console

Starting June 30, hundreds of cloud-enabled games attached to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription will be available through Samsung’s Gaming Hub

Saudi Wealth Fund

Saudi wealth fund makes second $1bn bet on Swedish gaming

The Public Investment Fund’s Savvy Gaming Group will become the second largest owner in Embracer Group after acquiring almost 100 million shares

esports atheletes

Esports athletes now observed as ‘conventional’ ones

Matthew Pickering, CEO, Power League Gaming discusses how esports athletes now have the same skills as conventional athletes, enabling them to compete at the highest level