Amin Abbas

ABU DHABI: Meet Khosouf Studio, an Emirati video game developer and publisher based in Abu Dhabi. It was created in 2012 by Ahmad Al-Natsheh, co-founder and CEO, and Miriam Habib, co-founder and creative director.

Over the years, Khosouf Studio has successfully completed over 20 projects, collaborating with esteemed clients such as the Discovery Channel, Dubai Shopping Festival, Royal Showcases in Saudi Arabia, and PIXOUL in Abu Dhabi, among others.

Recently, their approach has shifted as they set their sights on reaching new heights in the international market. They are venturing into uncharted territories that few studios from the Middle East region have dared to explore before.

Al-Natsheh shared exclusively with Arab News Japan the story and challenges for developing ‘BOX to the BEAT’ game, saying, “Developing ‘BOX to the BEAT’ posed its biggest challenge as the first game from our entire country to debut on the PS5 VR2 platform. This milestone brought forth numerous challenges, requiring us to embark on a self-directed learning journey. We encountered setbacks, learned from trial and error, and persevered through numerous attempts before successfully navigating the complexities of publishing.”

About the response and feedback of the ‘BOX to the BEAT’ game upon its release on PS5, Al-Natsheh said, “The game is being featured on the front page of the PlayStation Store in the demo section. The game has received an impressive rating of 4.6/5 from around 150 reviews. The positive feedback has been encouraging and motivating us to persist in our development efforts and continue pushing the boundaries.”

The CEO has been immersed in the world of video games since his childhood, where it all began with playing Jazz on DOS, progressing to games like ‘Doom’, and exploring various consoles, from N64 and Sega to the iconic PlayStation 1. Gaming has been an integral part of his life since childhood.

Al-Natsheh’s journey into video game development began in 2015 while he was working as a civil engineer. During a night shift, he downloaded Unreal Engine on his laptop, and from that moment on, he never turned back. His first paid project was in virtual reality, when it was still a new technology. VR developers were scarce, and he saw a chance in the field. Interestingly, he didn’t own a VR headset back then. Somehow, the project worked out, and with the money he earned, he got his first headset. It was the start of his journey into the world of virtual reality.

About distinguishing ‘Khosouf Studio’ from other gaming studios, he said, “What sets us apart, in my view, is our fearlessness in embracing the new and the uncharted. We are unafraid to take risks, venturing into territories that have never been explored in our region. Despite operating with a modest budget and a lean team, we’ve successfully shattered boundaries, establishing a firm presence in this highly competitive market.”

Regarding the studio’s upcoming projects, Al-Natsheh said, “Our latest project on the horizon is “Asteroid Assault,” a space flight combat game designed for both VR and non-VR platforms, with plans for release on the PlayStation 5. Additionally, we are committed to refining our publishing workflow. In the near future, we aspire to establish a publishing branch dedicated to amplifying the work of local developers and extending their creations to a global audience.”

About ‘Khosouf Studio’ recommendations for those who want to be video game developers or work in the gaming industry, Al-Natsheh said, “My recommendation is to maintain consistency and resist the constant shifts in market trends. Be fearless in your pursuits, identifying something you genuinely believe in and striving to become the best in that domain. By doing so, you’ll naturally attract opportunities your way.”