Saudi Arabia is emerging as a key market for Japanese video game developers, offering unique opportunities to customize and localize games to fit regional preferences, according to a Japanese gaming expert.
During an event in Riyadh on Monday, Koji Mikami, a professor specializing in gaming technology at the Tokyo University of Technology, highlighted the growing potential of the Saudi gaming industry.
“In my opinion, Saudi gamers appreciate high-quality games and are willing to invest in premium gaming experiences,” Mikami said, emphasizing the significant spending power of gamers in the Kingdom.
“I believe Saudi Arabia has greater potential than many other regions, and I hope Japanese game studios will develop games specifically tailored for Saudi audiences,” he added.
Saudi-Japan Gaming Collaboration Under Vision 2030
Mikami’s remarks were made at a seminar organized by the Federation of Saudi Chambers in collaboration with the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East. The event was part of the broader Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 initiative, which promotes economic and technological partnerships between the two nations.
Saudi Arabia has rapidly positioned itself as a global gaming and esports hub, attracting significant investments into the sector. According to PwC, 67% of the Saudi population—around 23.5 million people—are active gamers, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is known for his passion for gaming.
To accelerate its gaming industry ambitions, the Kingdom has committed $38 billion in investments through the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Opportunities for Saudi-Japanese Gaming Collaboration
The event focused on Saudi Arabia’s gaming market growth, highlighting key investment areas such as:
Game development
Esports expansion
Localization of Japanese games for Saudi players
Speakers also discussed potential collaborations between Saudi and Japanese gaming companies, including:
Co-developing new gaming franchises (IPs)
Technology exchange programs
Industry partnerships to strengthen cross-border gaming innovation
The seminar concluded with a panel discussion on the future of gaming, emphasizing the need for:
Knowledge-sharing between developers
Innovation in game design
Stronger global partnerships to advance the gaming industry
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing a sustainable, technology-driven gaming ecosystem is fully aligned with its Vision 2030 goals, aiming to position the Kingdom as a major player in the global gaming sector.