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What’s Fueling Saudi Arabia’s Rapid Growth in eSports Gaming?
Saudi Arabia is on track to become a global eSports and gaming hotspot. The country’s gaming festivals attract players from all over the world with unique offers. Its gaming conferences are entertaining and glitzy, and the market projections keep hitting new yearly records. In 2021, the local gaming market’s consumer spending across mobile, PC, and console was projected to raise over $946 million, and this figure is expected to continue to rise over the course of the decade.
The thriving eSports sector reflects the efficient engine that powers it. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently unveiled the country’s eSports strategy. Along with other growth factors, the plan is responsible for Saudi Arabia’s growing global influence in eSports.
A Fresh Approach to Esports
The Saudi Crown Prince’s support, according to Casinoelarabs.com, is the most crucial factor propelling eSports in Saudi Arabia to maturity. The Saudi Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, enjoys playing ‘Call of Duty,’ among other modern games. However, the passionate gamer is recognized for more than just his gaming prowess. The prince recently curated a national eSports plan under which the Saudi kingdom would create 39,000 jobs in the country’s eSports sphere by 2030 and develop over 30 games in local studios.
The prince’s strategy is an excellent starting point for the country’s eSports industry. The ESports sector is also growing in other Arabic countries, and several factors are credited for the observed increase in Saudi Arabia and the Arabic world.
Saudi’s Government Growing Support for Esports
The leadership of Prince Mohammed in the growth strategy is just the tip of the iceberg. The Saudi government actively promotes the country’s eSports sector through the Saudi eSports Federation. The organization fosters players and ensures the local gaming industry meets international standards. Its chairman, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, feels that Saudi Arabia has the potential to become the premier destination for eSports programming.
According to Chester King, CEO of British eSports, the Saudi government’s hands-on approach makes the country’s eSports industry far superior to other nations currently seeking a viable plan.
The Rise of Online Streaming and Gaming
The evolution of the gaming experience is one of the “natural” factors that have contributed to the industry’s wide acceptance and rapid expansion in Saudi Arabia. Online gaming is now possible, unlike a few decades ago, thanks to the advancement of the internet. According to global business and economic data, 97.86 percent of Saudi’s population are active internet users, which is impressive considering it recorded 31.02 percent in 1990. Many people are now obsessed with online gaming and live streaming. The change toward the relatively new and thrilling experience was particularly noticeable during the peak of COVID-19 when stay-at-home mandates compelled finding isolated amusement.
Millions of Saudis have embraced online gaming as a trend. Today, the kingdom is home to more than 20 million gamers. Over 65% of the population enjoys gaming, and more people are joining.
Mobile Gaming’s Popularity
Because of its gamers’ propensity for gaming on mobile devices, Saudi Arabia’s mobile gaming sector is at an all-time high. People devote more time to mobile gaming due to increased smartphone usage. According to a recent report by Arab News, approximately 84% of Saudi players spend time playing mobile games. Many players spend money on mobile games, considerably strengthening the country’s mobile gaming market.
The Rise of Competitive Gaming
Competitive video gaming is the latest trend to hit the kingdom’s gaming industry. For millennials, playing eSports is far superior to watching elite athletes compete in sports. Many Saudis participated in online tournaments during the COVID-19 period. Many got involved in competitive gaming while looking for glory and fortune in remote gaming activities. The competitive gaming spirit has survived to the present day, thanks to the ever-improving online gaming experience.
Many Saudis are interested in competitive gaming for both amusement and financial gain. Gamers8, a summer festival conducted in Saudi Arabia, recently drew participants from eight countries. The festival’s distinct vitality reflected Saudi Arabia’s intense passion for competitive gaming.
The influx of investment into eSports
Saudi Arabia is a well-established oil exporter keen on investing in rising technologies. Earlier this year, the Saudi government authorized a large sum to develop and fund the Savvy Gaming Group. The company acquired ESL Gaming and FACEIT, two top eSports companies, for $15 billion. In October, the Saudi government announced plans to invest another $37.8 billion in eSports-related businesses in the Middle East. This investment, along with others, is credited with driving the industry’s explosive rise.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is on the verge of becoming a global eSports powerhouse. The carefully devised strategy of Prince Mohammed, the profits of oil exports, government backing, and other enabling factors reveal a kingdom poised to rise to unfathomable heights. The future of eSports in Saudi Arabia is foreseeable, thanks to the growth boosters.
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Play’n GO celebrates multiple win at 5 Star Media Awards
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, is today celebrating a five-award sweep in the coveted 5 Star Media Awards of 2024.
The legendary games studio nabbed a second consecutive Slot Supplier of the Year award, as well as being named the RNG Casino Supplier of the Year. The company also secured three of 5 Star Media’s “Top 20” Awards for co-founder and CMO Ebba Arnred, Director of Business Development Stuart Trigwell, and Head of Brand and Communication, Andrew Pink.
Play’n GO has enjoyed a landmark 2024, breaking new ground by entering the South African market, as well as expanding its US presence into what is now five states.
Ebba Arnred, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Play’n GO, commented “We’re always very pleased to have our work recognised at the various awards throughout the year, but to win five in one fell swoop is almost unprecedented. It’s very special to be awarded Slot Supplier of the Year for a second year in a row, and RNG Casino Supplier of the Year is another well-received feather in our cap. We would like to thank 5 Star Media and the entire judging panel, as well as our entire team here at Play’n GO, without whom these award wins simply wouldn’t happen. On a personal level, I’d also like to express gratitude for the individual recognition of a 5 Star “Top 20” Award.”
Stuart Trigwell, Director of Business Development at Play’n GO, added “I’d like to express a sincere thank you to 5 Star Media for being recognised in their “Top 20” Awards. We do our work not for individual accolades but for the success of the entire business, so it’s great to see Play’n GO so well represented across the board.”
Andrew Pink, Head of Brand and Communication at Play’n GO, said “Play’n GO’s driving ambition is to be the best entertainment supplier there is. Aside from producing some of the most played games and best loved characters in the world, that ambition is often realised by things largely unseen by those outside the company. It’s extremely gratifying for everyone at Play’n GO to be recognised as Slot Supplier of the Year. Next year may just be our biggest and best yet.”
eSports
Procedure to be followed by school clubs affiliating for the 2025 season
Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), founded in 1984, is the national federation for Board games, Card games, Esports, and Wargames.
MSSA promotes all the different disciplines equally, although each school may pick-and-choose which discipline it wishes to promote at its school. Some schools will promote the whole gambit, while others will concentrate on only one discipline, and/or even just concentrate on one specific title.
The choice is ultimately up to the school.
MSSA has sent teams with full Protea Colours to international events since 1991 for wargames, 1996 for Morabaraba, 1997 for Checkers, and 2005 for Esports. Many members of the national teams have been scholars, and all have benefited from their involvement in the national Protea Team.
There is still the option open for a school to start a full-blown sub-club on its premises, but bearing in mind the tight regulatory conditions under which accredited schools have to operate in the Republic, the MSSA no longer deems it necessary for a school to start a sub-club.
As long as the school club has the approval of the school, and has an Educator-in-Charge, a school may affiliate by merely completing the Application for Affiliation Form and submitting such to MSSA.
Advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club: There are many advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club, such as:
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Being part of a community where your club has a real say in how things are done
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Being able to apply for National Lottery Funding – MSSA member clubs can apply for up to R800,000.00 in funding
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Being able to get assistance from your local government
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Experience increased media exposure of your events and your gamers
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Become part of the international community through the MSSA Registered players are able to become internationally recognised umpires, etc.
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Enable your gamers to take part in MSSA events, which may qualify them for Regional, Provincial, and National colours, overseas trips, and even sports bursaries at university.
- Private clubs: one vote per every five registered players, and
- School clubs: one vote per every ten registered players.
MSSA’s General Regulations
The General Regulations comprises of decisions made by both Council and Executive Committee Meetings. The General Regulations deals with how sub-committees operate as well as to how teams are selected and development funding is distributed. Please refer to Schedule 10.12 in regard to the rights of clubs in hosting events.
MSSA’s Discipline Specific Regulations
The Discipline Specific Regulations deal with rules concerning the different disciplines. The Disciplines that the MSSA caters for are; Board Gaming, Card gaming, Esports, and Figure Gaming.
When a club applies for membership, the applicant club must complete such form and return the same to the MSSA.Fee note for 2025
The fee note details the Affiliation Fees and Registration fees that are payable.
Player Registration Form
The Player Registration Form needs to be completed by every player that is a member of a club and intends to participate in MSSA affairs.
MSSA’s Letter of Undertaking
The Letter of Undertaking is for all registered players who sit on any MSSA committee.
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