E-Gaming Innovator Changing the Landscape with Untold Stories of the Middle East
Yasser Alshammakhi is a visionary entrepreneur and a pioneering voice in the Middle East’s gaming sector. With over a decade of leadership experience in engineering and operations at renowned companies like General Electric, Ceer Motors (a PIF-backed entity), and RTX, Yasser has successfully transitioned from industrial excellence to cultural innovation. Today, he leads Innovavera, a mobile game studio founded in Saudi Arabia in 2023, that is dedicated to redefining the gaming experience for millions across the Middle East through rich, story-based strategy games rooted in the region’s unique cultural narratives.
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the demand for authentic gaming experiences has never been higher. With an astonishing 377 million users in the Middle East, Innovavera is stepping up to fill this critical market gap. Yasser’s journey into the gaming world is fueled by a deep belief that video games are the next frontier of cultural diplomacy. Through Innovavera’s flagship title, Crown of Khosrow, Yasser and his team are bridging the gap between history and technology—telling the forgotten tales of ancient empires and transforming them into compelling interactive adventures.
Innovavera is not just a studio; it’s a cultural movement. Under Yasser’s leadership, the studio has partnered with top academic institutions and talent hubs, launched pilots with university support, and built a growing pipeline of games that highlight Arabian heritage through modern gameplay formats. With a strategic eye on regional markets and global scalability, Yasser is driving Innovavera toward becoming the cultural Pixar of the gaming world.
Based in Saudi Arabia, Innovavera is at the heart of the Kingdom’s growing tech scene, bolstered by government initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The studio not only contributes to the local economy but also supports the Vision 2030 framework, which seeks to diversify the economy and develop the digital sector. Yasser’s ambition doesn’t stop at game development; he is actively seeking to raise $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to further enhance Innovavera’s capabilities, addressing the challenges faced by the gaming industry in the Middle East, particularly the scarcity of story-driven and strategy-based games that prioritize authentic narratives.
Yasser’s leadership philosophy centers on empowerment, collaboration, and purposeful storytelling. He believes gaming is not merely entertainment—it’s a vessel to reimagine identity, connect generations, and shape perceptions of a region often misunderstood. His innovative approach aims to build long-term relationships with players, fostering loyalty and engagement that drives high revenues from in-app purchases (IAP).
The Saudi gaming market is expected to achieve an impressive 22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the region. Yasser Alshammakhi’s strategic insights place Innovavera at the forefront of this growth, allowing the studio to capitalize on the burgeoning interest in mobile gaming. By focusing on the platform with the highest potential, Yasser is positioning Innovavera as a key player in the industry’s transformation.
A recipient of national recognition and participant in elite accelerator programs, Yasser is also an outspoken advocate for creative industries in Saudi Arabia, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals to position the Kingdom as a global hub for entertainment and digital content.
Alshammakhi’s leadership at Innovavera is not just about creating games; it’s about telling the stories of the Middle East, providing players with experiences that are both entertaining and culturally significant. As the demand for innovative, culturally relevant gaming experiences continues to grow, Innovavera stands poised to be a leader in the industry, making a lasting impact on the gaming landscape of the Middle East.
Published By : Boudou Gueffai
Editor-in-Chief (EIC)
