The hub is being set up as a collaboration between NEOM and MBC.

Online gaming swung into action when months of lockdown shut people away from outdoor activities and sports, with people in Saudi Arabia as well as its neighbouring country making the most of consistent connectivity along with availability of top-notch gadgets. The surge in popularity of online duels also prompted people to arm themselves with gaming laptops, consoles and accesories like virtual reality headsets along with powerful wireless earphones, for an immersive experience.

Naturally the developments of the past couple of years have triggered an increased demand for digital showdowns, and the tribe of gamers in the Middle East is known to have surpassed the 100 million mark during this period. After identifying the potential for growth in this sector, and the need for healthy competition, Saudi Arabia has given the nod to a gaming studio, which will be assembled by the minds behind its upcoming high-tech city NEOM.

The joint project between NEOM and media firm MBC, will open doors for aspiring developers to learn about programming games from scratch, thanks to the involvement of Tuwaiq1000. Along with this the new gaming hub will also unlock an academy for esports, where future stars of the virtual battleground will be able to sharpen their skills and become pro level gamers.

The initiative is set to empower local talent in a sector that's slated to contribute a percentage of the economy by 2030, which is still a lot of revenue considering the kingdom's GDP. Neighbouring countries like the UAE have also started encouraging game development by creating a separate hub for startups involved in the field, along with a training facility for e-sports aspirants.

In the Middle East, Turkey has been betting big on game development, turning Istanbul into a space with the highest number of gaming studios in the region. Over the past year or so, Dubai has also become home to innovative experiences like virtual reality gaming.