Arab News Japan

DUBAI: Tokyo-based GLOE Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hawk Gaming Group, a Saudi Arabian company in gaming and eSports, chaired and led by CEO Turki Faisal.

The agreement aims to promote the development and expansion of the eSports and gaming industries in both Saudi Arabia and Japan.

Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a global player in gaming and eSports through its “Vision 2030” initiative, significantly investing in entertainment. The National Gaming and Esports Strategy (NGES), launched in 2022 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to establish the Kingdom as “The Center of the Game,” making the sector a key pillar of the national economy.

The Kingdom’s gaming revenues reached approximately $7.2 billion in 2023, with 23.5 million people actively gaming. Saudi Arabia is also set to host its first Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh in 2027.

By 2030, the Saudi eSports sector is expected to contribute $13.3 billion to GDP and create 39,000 jobs.

According to a press release from GLOE Inc., Hawk Gaming Group is at the forefront of this movement, offering advanced solutions across game development, eSports infrastructure, AI applications, and talent development and scouting.

The newly signed MoU between GLOE and Hawk Gaming Group outlines collaboration on leveraging the strengths of both nations from intellectual property to human resources and business opportunities.

Turki Faisal, Chairman & CEO at Hawk Gaming Group said: “Gamers are the driving force behind future economies. They are the center of innovation, culture, and growth. Through our partnership with GLOE, we aim to unlock the full potential of Japan’s world-class content and talent, not only within Saudi Arabia but on a global scale. Together, we’ll create new economic opportunities, strengthen industry connections, and contribute to realizing Vision 2030.”

Akihito Furusawa, GLOE Inc.’s Co-CEO said: “While Japan has a wealth of exceptional game content, localization and cultural adaptation in the Middle East have been limited. With global interest in Saudi Arabia’s eSports scene at an all-time high, this is the perfect opportunity to bring Japanese games to the region. Together with Hawk Gaming Group, we will promote and expand Japanese gaming content across the Middle East.”