Saudi and Japanese officials are exploring plans to localise gaming and digital entertainment offerings in the Kingdom. This initiative was a focal point at the Saudi Arabia-Japan Vision 2030 Business Forum’s digital entertainment roundtable.
The discussions centred on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to build a local gaming industry. Plans include localising Japanese games for the Saudi market, collaborating with esports tournament organisers, and investing in digital entertainment. Abdullah Al-Swaha, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information, and Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, attended the event in Tokyo. Al-Swaha delivered a short speech during the opening.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al-Saud, vice chairman of Savvy Games Group, participated in a panel discussion at the forum, which aimed to promote cultural exchange by creating content appealing to both Japanese and Saudi audiences. The officials discussed localising Japanese manga and anime through Saudi publishers, with plans to distribute the content throughout West Asia. They also explored co-publishing agreements to create new and original content.
The gaming sector in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow to $1.3 billion over the next two years, with 58 gaming companies currently operating in the Kingdom. Approximately 67 percent of the Saudi population, about 24.8 million people, are active video game players.
Saudi Arabia is set to host this year’s Esports World Cup in July, offering around $60 million in prize money. The Kingdom has previously collaborated with Japanese companies, leveraging their expertise and advanced technologies to enhance the digital entertainment industry.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman postponed his visit to Japan scheduled for 20-23 May, due to King Salman’s health concerns.
