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Saudi takeover of gaming industry leaves little room for dissent

The Observer

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July 13, 2025

Saudi Arabia's takeover of the gaming industry was on display this week at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

- Xavier Greenwood

Saudi takeover of gaming industry leaves little room for dissent

The tournament, which sees thousands of players compete in dozens of video games for a share of a $70m prize pot, is the latest of more than 100 major sporting events staged by the Gulf state in the past six years.

The country has committed to spend $38bn across the gaming sector by 2030 through its Public Investment Fund. Via its subsidiary Savvy Games Group, the PIF has taken equity stakes in giants such as Nintendo, Take-Two Interactive, Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts. It has also bought up companies wholesale and built local infrastructure.

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