Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, through the Digital Entrepreneurship Center (CODE), has launched the “Code Nine 66” program in partnership with Savvy Games Group and Xsolla by Merak to support entrepreneurs and talented developers in creating innovative video games and building successful gaming startups.
The initiative reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital economy, nurture local talent, and position itself as a regional hub for the rapidly growing gaming industry in line with Vision 2030.
A Three-Month Innovation Journey
The program begins with a three-month Game Jam, bringing together programmers, game designers, artists, developers, and entrepreneurs to collaborate on original game concepts and transform them into playable prototypes.
Participants will work in competitive teams designed to encourage creativity, innovation, and practical product development.
Top 10 Teams Advance to Incubation
At the end of the competition, the top ten teams will be selected to join a specialized startup incubator, where they will receive support to refine their products, validate market potential, strengthen commercialization strategies, and prepare for investor and publisher engagement.
Four Specialized Tracks
Code Nine 66 focuses on four core areas of game development:
- Game Programming
- Game Design
- Game Art
- Game Marketing
This structure allows participants to build both technical and business expertise required for success in today’s gaming market.
Expert Mentorship and Training
The program offers an integrated support system that includes professional mentoring, technical workshops, game testing sessions, and investor pitching preparation.
More than 12 industry experts and entrepreneurship mentors will guide participating teams throughout the program, helping transform promising ideas into viable gaming businesses.
Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Gaming Industry
Saudi Arabia has rapidly expanded its investments in gaming and esports as part of its digital transformation strategy.
The launch of Code Nine 66 further strengthens the Kingdom’s ambitions by developing local game studios, supporting entrepreneurs, and creating sustainable opportunities for Saudi talent to compete in the global gaming market while contributing to the country’s growing digital economy.
