PIF-backed Savvy Games Group Partners with Side to Foster Gaming Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia
Savvy Games and Side collaborate to open a physical studio in Riyadh, expanding gaming services and supporting local talent.
In a significant move to bolster the gaming ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, PIF-backed Savvy Games Group has announced a partnership with Side, a global gaming service provider.
The collaboration aims to establish a physical studio in Riyadh later this year, marking a strategic expansion into the Middle Eastern market.
This development is part of a broader initiative to support Vision 2030 and enhance Saudi Arabia's role in the global gaming industry.The agreement was formalized at a signing event held at Side's London studio, underscoring the mutual commitment of both parties to drive growth and innovation in the gaming sector.
Nika Nour, head of global business development at Savvy Games Group, emphasized the importance of partnering with an experienced company like Side, which has established a strong presence across 14 countries and operates 20 studios globally.Side's services encompass co-development, player support, quality assurance (QA), localization QA, and audio production.
The company plans to tailor its offerings specifically to meet the needs of Saudi Arabia, initially focusing on co-development, localization, and local audio recording services.
Jacob Madsen, London studio head and VP of EMEA at Side, highlighted the significance of expanding into new markets and fostering a diverse workforce, including partnerships with local institutions.Savvy Games Group, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has established itself through its focus on investments in MMA games, esports efforts, and contributions to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative.
The new studio will not only aim to provide high-quality gaming services but also serve as a hub for youth training programs and collaboration with local partners such as Full Sail University.Through initiatives like the Savvy Academy, which focuses on incubation, acceleration, and training, the company aims to cultivate homegrown talent in co-development, localization, and QA.
Additionally, Savvy Games Group has been actively involved with organizations like the International Game Developers Association's Riyadh chapter, fostering a community of over 200 gaming professionals.The studio is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's journey towards becoming a major player in the global gaming industry.
This partnership between Savvy Games Group and Side represents a collaborative effort to nurture local talent, strengthen institutional capabilities, and drive forward the country's gaming ecosystem.
The collaboration aims to establish a physical studio in Riyadh later this year, marking a strategic expansion into the Middle Eastern market.
This development is part of a broader initiative to support Vision 2030 and enhance Saudi Arabia's role in the global gaming industry.The agreement was formalized at a signing event held at Side's London studio, underscoring the mutual commitment of both parties to drive growth and innovation in the gaming sector.
Nika Nour, head of global business development at Savvy Games Group, emphasized the importance of partnering with an experienced company like Side, which has established a strong presence across 14 countries and operates 20 studios globally.Side's services encompass co-development, player support, quality assurance (QA), localization QA, and audio production.
The company plans to tailor its offerings specifically to meet the needs of Saudi Arabia, initially focusing on co-development, localization, and local audio recording services.
Jacob Madsen, London studio head and VP of EMEA at Side, highlighted the significance of expanding into new markets and fostering a diverse workforce, including partnerships with local institutions.Savvy Games Group, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has established itself through its focus on investments in MMA games, esports efforts, and contributions to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative.
The new studio will not only aim to provide high-quality gaming services but also serve as a hub for youth training programs and collaboration with local partners such as Full Sail University.Through initiatives like the Savvy Academy, which focuses on incubation, acceleration, and training, the company aims to cultivate homegrown talent in co-development, localization, and QA.
Additionally, Savvy Games Group has been actively involved with organizations like the International Game Developers Association's Riyadh chapter, fostering a community of over 200 gaming professionals.The studio is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's journey towards becoming a major player in the global gaming industry.
This partnership between Savvy Games Group and Side represents a collaborative effort to nurture local talent, strengthen institutional capabilities, and drive forward the country's gaming ecosystem.
