PIF-owned Savvy Games Group is developing three mobile games, with two of them set to launch this year as it looks to accelerate its transformation into a global leader in gaming and e-sports, CEO Brian Ward told Aleqtisadiah. These include a triple-A game by Savvy’s Steer Studio.

SOUND SMART- AAA games are characterized by their top-tier quality, requiring significantinvestment — think of them as the gaming equivalent of a Hollywood blockbuster These games are mostly released on console or PC, and only rarely (or as cut-downs / spinoffs) on mobile devices. Think Call of Duty, GTA 5, or Destiny 2 for the gaming-literates.

An e-sports tournament, brought to you by Saudi: Savvy and its recently acquired ESL FACIT are working to launch the upcoming Esports World Cup this summer. This is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy, with the industry expected to contribute SAR 50 bn to the economy, according to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi’s video game industry is worth SAR 4 bn, and boasts an annual growth rate of 8.5%, Ward added.

REMEMBER- Savvy acquired Scopely for USD 4.9 bn last year, in the “largest investment Savvy has made to-date,” said Ward at the time. Scopely boasts a portfolio of games including Monopoly GO, which became the most downloaded game worldwide.

IN OTHER GAMING NEWS- Ajlan & Bros subsidiary Sandsoft partnered with Chinese NetEase to establish a new JV named Stellar Gate Games, which will work on game publishing, marketing and in the e-sports industry for the MENA region, according to a joint statement.

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