"Accused of 'sports-washing', are the Saudis now 'games-washing'?", 24 Feb 2022

Having spent at least $1.5 billion on major international sporting events in order to bolster its reputation, Saudi Arabia has been accused by human rights groups of "sportswashing"...

...it is also unsurprising that Saudi Arabia has sought out investment opportunities in the gaming industry. In 2020, MBS's official charity became the largest shareholder in the Japanese gaming company SNK Corporation with a 51 per cent stake, in a move that disappointed the company's fan base.

Saudi Arabia's apparent "game-washing", though has continued to expand with ever ambitious undertakings. Last year the Kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, estimated to be worth around $500 billion, acquired sizeable shares in three major American games studios: Activision Blizzard, EA and Take-Two...

This means that Saudi Arabia could potentially produce some of the most high-budget and high-profile games in the international market.

With the Saudi games market estimated at $1 billion in 2021, it is the highest value among the Gulf States...

While it is convenient to dismiss Saudi Arabia's venture into the gaming industry as mere "games-washing", akin to its involvement in sports and other forms of popular entertainment, there can be no denying that the move is a shrewd and rational one from a business and investment perspective alone, and will very likely bring substantial returns both in profit and prestige. This will be an integral part of Vision2030, by which time research suggests, the Saudi gaming and e-sports consumption is projected to reach $6.8 billion.

[Also refers to Savvy Gaming, Capcom, Nexon, MBC, Formula One, Newcastle FC, NEOM, Riot Games]