Game Development Outsourcing in Middle East

## About Plarium Plarium is an Israeli mobile game developer and publisher founded in 2009, now owned by Modern Times Group (MTG). With 1,300+ employees across 7 studios, they created Raid: Shadow Legends (100M+ downloads) and multiple strategy franchises. ## Company History - **Founded:** 2009 - **Headquarters:** Herzliya, Israel - **Team:** 1,300+ employees - **Acquired by:** Aristocrat ($500M, 2017), then MTG ($620M) - **Parent:** Modern Times Group (Sweden) ## Global Studios - Herzliya, Israel (HQ) - Warsaw, Poland - Barcelona, Spain - Helsinki, Finland - Kharkiv, Lviv, Kyiv (Ukraine) ## Flagship Game: Raid: Shadow Legends - 100M+ downloads - #1 turn-based RPG (Google/Apple stores) - Mobile + PC (January 2020) - Celebrity partnerships: Jeff Goldblum, Megan Fox, Ronda Rousey, Ninja, Neymar ## Other Games - Mech Arena - Vikings: War of Clans - Stormfall franchise - Merge Gardens (Futureplay) - Lost Island: Blast Adventure ## Note Plarium is primarily a game developer/publisher rather than an outsourcing provider. ## Why Plarium Matters - **Raid Shadow Legends** 100M+ downloads - **$620M acquisition** MTG backing - **1,300+ employees** major studio - **Celebrity partnerships** massive marketing - **Israel + Ukraine** multi-studio

## About Babil Games Babil Games is a leading game publisher in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, headquartered in Amman, Jordan. As a subsidiary of Stillfront, they help developers scale, localize, and monetize games for Arabic-speaking markets. ## Services ### Strategic Direction - Market insights for MENA region - Scaling strategies - Go-to-market planning - Regional business development ### Cultural Resonance - Arabic localization - Cultural adaptation - Creative direction for MENA audiences - Content localization ### Market Impact - User acquisition - App store optimization - Influencer partnerships - Regional marketing campaigns ## Published Games - **Nida Harb 3** (2025) - Latest release - **The General** (2021) - **Arkan** (2022) - **Baloot Royale** (2019) - **Age of Kings** (2017) - **Tank Storm** (2014) ## Developer Partners - 6 Waves - Bytro - Dorado Games - Kixeye - Moonfrog - Sandbox ## Corporate Structure **Parent Company:** Stillfront (publicly traded gaming group) ## Location **Headquarters:** Amman, Jordan King Abdullah II St, 2nd Floor, Amman 11196 ## Market Focus Specialized in: - MENA region publishing - Arabic-speaking markets - Cultural adaptation for Middle Eastern audiences - Regional marketing and UA ## Why Choose Babil Games - **MENA market leaders** with regional expertise - **Stillfront backing** providing resources and reach - **Cultural specialists** for Arabic localization - **Proven track record** with 8+ published titles - **Developer-friendly** partnership approach

## About Lobah Lobah is a Saudi Arabian game developer and publisher based in Riyadh, formed by combining 20+ years of mobile social gaming experience in the Middle East with MAU Games' award-winning 14-year expertise. They focus on culturally-relevant games for the MENA region. ## Company History - **Location:** Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - **Founded by:** Eisa Atawi (CEO, formerly MAU Games founder) - **Background:** Combined expertise of 20+ years MENA mobile gaming - **Funding:** $12M from Social Development Bank (March 2025) ## Platform ### Lobah Play - Game publishing platform (launched January 2025) - Networking and monetization tools - Ad-free by default - Developer support ecosystem ## Games ### Released - **Habhab** - Casual fruit-merge game ### In Development - **Kingdom of Letters** - Word game - **Jackaroo** - Card/board game - **Faza** - Battle royale set in Arabian Peninsula ## Mission Create games that encourage creativity, competition, and connection for players in the MENA region. Demonstrate Saudi Arabia's ability to be a global gaming hub while fostering the local ecosystem. ## Saudi Gaming Strategy Part of Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy, supported by the Social Development Bank's expanded gaming sector initiative. ## Why Choose Lobah - **$12M funded** expansion capital - **MENA expertise** 20+ years regional experience - **Lobah Play** publishing platform - **Cultural games** Arabic market focus - **Saudi gaming hub** ecosystem leader

## About Steer Studios Steer Studios (formerly Savvy Games Studios) is an international game development studio headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Part of Savvy Games Group (backed by Saudi PIF), they aim to create the first blockbuster video game from the Arab world with 50+ staff, 30% women. ## Company Overview - **Headquarters:** Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - **Parent:** Savvy Games Group - **Owner:** Saudi Public Investment Fund - **CEO:** Yannick Theler - **Team:** 50+ staff (50%+ Saudi, 30% women) ## Mission Create groundbreaking gaming experiences for global players and develop a new generation of Saudi talent, aligned with Vision 2030 goals for the gaming industry. ## Games ### Grunt Rush - Mobile strategy game - One year development cycle - 20-person team - 50% Saudi developers ### Upcoming - Console project in development ## Investment Context Savvy Games Group plans to invest 142 billion riyals ($38B) to transform Saudi Arabia into a global gaming hub. ## Strategic Rebrand Rebranded from Savvy Games Studios to Steer Studios to carve a unique identity within the gaming landscape. ## Why Choose Steer Studios - **Saudi Vision 2030** aligned mission - **Savvy Games Group** $38B backing - **50% Saudi** talent development - **30% women** diverse team - **First Arab blockbuster** ambitious goal

## About Khosouf Studio Khosouf Studio is an Emirati video game developer and publisher based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Founded in 2012, they specialize in VR, console, and PC development with 10+ years of experience and 20+ completed projects. ## Company History - **Founded:** 2012 - **Location:** Abu Dhabi, UAE (relocating to Saudi Arabia) - **Founders:** Ahmad Al-Natsheh (CEO), Miriam Habib (Creative Director) - **Funding:** $600K seed round (Merak Capital Gaming Fund, 2024) ## Services ### Game Development - PlayStation 5 development - Xbox development - Steam/PC development - VR development (PS VR2) ### VR Services - Interactive experiences - Simulations - Educational solutions - Non-gaming VR applications ### Publishing - Premium narrative-driven titles - Original IP development ## Notable Projects ### Games - **BOX to the BEAT VR** - Award-winning rhythm boxing game, first Middle East game on PS VR2 - **The Panic Pit** - In production - **Glitch Core** - FPS roguelite with co-op focus ### Client Work - Discovery Channel - Dubai Shopping Festival - Royal Showcases (Saudi Arabia) - PIXOUL (Abu Dhabi) ## Achievements - First Middle East game on PS VR2 platform - 20+ completed projects - Award-winning debut title ## Why Choose Khosouf Studio - **First PS VR2** game from Middle East - **10+ years** UAE-based experience - **VR specialists** gaming and non-gaming - **$600K funded** for expansion - **Premium narrative** focus

## About Leartes Studios Leartes Studios is a Turkish AAA game art outsourcing studio and one of the most prominent publishers on Unreal Engine Marketplace and Unity Asset Store. They partner with Microsoft, Epic Games, Adobe, and Nintendo on custom game art projects. ## Company Overview - **Location:** Turkey - **Leadership:** CEO Oğuzhan KAR, CTO Serdar Ürkmez - **Specialty:** AAA game art outsourcing - **Marketplace Presence:** Major publisher on UE Marketplace & Unity Store ## Services ### Game Art - Environment art - 3D characters - Props and assets - Modular building systems ### Engine Expertise - Unreal Engine - Unity ### Asset Development - Marketplace asset packs - Custom bespoke solutions - Modular architecture systems ## Notable Asset Packs - **Techtopia 2080s:** 2000+ unique meshes, characters, vehicles, buildings - Various environment packs - Modular building systems ## Major Clients - Microsoft - Epic Games - Adobe - Nintendo ## Approach They specialize in creating modular building parts, giving developers the ability to create varied buildings and cities easily. Available for custom outsourcing projects in addition to marketplace assets. ## Industry Presence - GDC 2024 attendance - Prominent Unreal Marketplace publisher - Active Unity Asset Store presence ## Why Choose Leartes Studios - **Microsoft, Epic, Nintendo** partners - **Top marketplace** publisher - **AAA art** quality - **Turkey-based** competitive rates - **Modular systems** expertise

## About Good Job Games Good Job Games is a global mobile gaming company founded in 2017. They develop puzzle and match-3 games enjoyed by millions of players worldwide. ## Company History - **Founded:** 2017 - **Type:** Mobile game developer/publisher - **Focus:** Puzzle and match-3 games ## Core Values 1. Team comes first 2. Passion for craft 3. Push the limits ## Notable Games ### Wonder Blast - Puzzle game featuring the Wilson Family - Available on App Store and Google Play ### Match Villains - Match-3 puzzle game with heist themes - Available on App Store and Google Play ## Specializations - Puzzle games - Match-3 mechanics - Mobile-first development - iOS and Android ## Culture Emphasizes employee well-being and actively recruits talent. ## Note Good Job Games is primarily a mobile game developer/publisher, not an outsourcing service provider. Listed for reference. ## Why Good Job Games Matters - **Millions of players** worldwide - **Puzzle specialists** in mobile - **Since 2017** established studio

## About Sandsoft Sandsoft Games was a mobile-first game developer, publisher, and investor based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Founded in 2020 as the gaming arm of Ajlan & Bros Holding, they had offices in Spain, Finland, and China, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. ## Company Overview - **Founded:** 2020 - **Headquarters:** Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - **Parent:** Ajlan & Bros Holding - **Offices:** Spain, Finland, China - **Status:** Closed (2025) ## Mission Aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 for socio-economic diversification by growing the regional video game industry. ## Key Partnerships ### NetEase Games - Stellar Gate Games joint venture (2024) - MENA region publishing - Live operations and esports ### The Sandbox - Metaverse expansion to Saudi Arabia - Partnership for Web3 gaming ### Investments - $3.25M in The Tiny Digital Factory - Mobile racing and motorsport games ## Team Background Professionals from: - FIFA franchise - Candy Crush - Need for Speed - Angry Birds - World of Tanks ## Note Sandsoft closed in late 2025 after its owners decided to shut down operations following layoffs. ## Why Sandsoft Mattered - **Saudi Vision 2030** gaming initiative - **NetEase partnership** MENA expansion - **Major talent** FIFA, Candy Crush alumni - **MENA-focused** regional publishing - **Mobile-first** development approach

## About UMX Studio UMX Studio is the leading Saudi Arabian game developer founded in 2014 in Riyadh. Creators of the first Arabic drifting game, they've achieved 100M+ downloads and 2.7M monthly active users. In 2025, they received major investment from Jetapult. ## Company Overview - **Founded:** 2014 - **Location:** Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - **Downloads:** 100M+ - **MAU:** 2.7M worldwide - **Focus:** Arabic mobile games ## History Started in 2014 with Climbing Sand Dunes, the first Arabic drifting game featuring open desert maps. Has grown to become the leading Saudi game studio over 11 years. ## Notable Games ### Climbing Sand Dunes - First Arabic drifting game - Open desert maps - Launched 2014 ### Other Titles - Various mobile games - Arabic-first development - Global audience reach ## Funding In 2025, received a major investment from Jetapult, with support from Accel and other key partners, to expand game development and enhance technical capabilities. ## Market Position Leading Saudi studio contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals for gaming industry development. ## Why UMX Studio Matters - **100M+ downloads** massive reach - **First Arabic drifting** genre pioneer - **Saudi Arabia's leading** game studio - **Jetapult investment** 2025 backing - **2.7M MAU** engaged player base

## About Semaphore Semaphore is Saudi Arabia's first game development studio, founded in 2002 in Riyadh. They develop games, simulations, and virtual reality applications in both Arabic and English, including Unearthed: Trail of Ibn Battuta and Badiya. ## Company Overview - **Founded:** 2002 - **Location:** Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - **Focus:** Games, VR, simulation - **Languages:** Arabic and English ## Notable Games ### Unearthed: Trail of Ibn Battuta - Episodic action-adventure - Released 2013-2014 - PS3, PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Ouya ### Badiya - Infinite procedural survival - Desert exploration setting ### Other Projects - Badiya: Battle Royale - Out of Coverage - Misk Schools Quest - vMakkah (simulation) - vGallery, vMuseum ## Recognition - E3 2016 PC Gaming Show feature - Sony PlayStation PSN Store - Apple Editors Choice - True-Gaming Award: Best Arab Game ## Why Choose Semaphore - **Saudi Arabia's first** game studio since 2002 - **Arabic + English** bilingual development - **E3 featured** global recognition - **VR/simulation** diverse capabilities - **Regional pioneer** MENA gaming

## About SuperPlay SuperPlay was an Israeli mobile gaming company founded in 2019, acquired by Playtika for up to $2B in 2024. Creators of hit games Dice Dreams (1.7M DAU) and Domino Dreams, they achieved $328M+ in IAP revenue with offices in Israel, Ukraine, and Romania. ## Company Overview - **Founded:** 2019 - **Headquarters:** Israel - **Offices:** Israel, Ukraine, Romania - **Founders:** Gilad Almog (ex-Playtika), Eyal Netzer (ex-Playtika), Elad Drory (ex-Rovio) - **Status:** Acquired by Playtika (2024) ## Acquisition - $700M base acquisition price - Up to $1.25B additional contingent consideration - Total potential value: ~$2B - Completed September 2024 ## Hit Games ### Dice Dreams - Coin Looter game - $328M+ lifetime IAP revenue - $17M+ monthly revenue - 3rd best-grossing in genre (after Monopoly Go, Coin Master) ### Domino Dreams - Popular board game - Combined 1.7M DAU with Dice Dreams ### Disney Solitaire (2025) - Collaboration with Disney Games - Free-to-play solitaire - Post-Playtika acquisition ## Investors (Pre-Acquisition) - NFX - 83North - VGames - General Catalyst - Key1 Capital - O.G. Venture Partners ## Why SuperPlay Matters - **$2B acquisition** major exit - **Dice Dreams** $328M+ revenue - **1.7M DAU** massive engagement - **Playtika** powerhouse parent - **Israeli gaming** success story

## About Fugo Games Fugo Games is a mobile game development studio founded in 2010 in Istanbul, Turkey. With 72 employees and over 500 million total installs, they specialize in casual word and puzzle games available in 35+ languages worldwide. ## Company Scale - **Founded:** 2010 - **72 employees** - **Location:** Istanbul, Turkey - **500+ million** total installs - **Revenue:** ~$1 million ## Leadership - Erol Nahmias - Founder - Deniz Mert Edincik - Co-leader ## Games Portfolio ### Words of Wonders: Crossword - **100+ million** installs - Available in **150+ countries** - Top word game on Google Play ### Other Titles - Wordz (2011 debut) - Kelime Avi - Word Hunt - Sanajahti - 11 apps on Google Play ## Specializations - Word games - Puzzle games - Casual mobile games - Multi-language games (35+ languages) - iOS and Android development ## Recognition - Top 10 Turkish mobile game publisher - 6 million ratings across apps ## Why Choose Fugo Games - **500M+ installs** massive reach - **Words of Wonders** breakout success - **35+ languages** global localization - **Istanbul-based** with Turkish talent - **Casual games** specialists

## About Nine66 Nine66 is a Saudi Arabian gaming ecosystem support company, part of Savvy Games Group. They provide infrastructure, skills development, publishing, and advisory services to game developers in Saudi Arabia and internationally. ## Company Overview - **Location:** Saudi Arabia - **Parent:** Savvy Games Group - **Focus:** Gaming ecosystem development - **Region:** Saudi Arabia and MENA ## Services ### Developer Support - Infrastructure access - Capital and funding - Publishing services - Advisory services ### Programs - Incubator programs - Accelerator programs - Nine66 Hub (upskilling/networking) - University GameDev League ### Community - Nine66World monthly gatherings - Online MENA GameDev community - Training and events - Virtual and physical communities ## Key Initiatives - University GameDev League (global student competition) - Resident Mentor programs - Local dev empowerment - Industry mindset training ## Market Context Saudi Arabia: - 80%+ of 36M population are gamers - National Gaming and Esports Strategy - Growing regional gaming hub ## Notable Partnerships - WEMADE (South Korean developer) - MoU for Saudi gaming development ## Why Choose Nine66 - **Savvy Games Group** backing - **Saudi gaming hub** ecosystem - **Incubator/accelerator** programs - **MENA community** Nine66World - **Publishing** support for devs

## About Spyke Games Spyke Games is an Istanbul-based mobile gaming company founded in 2020 by former Riot Games and Zynga executives. With $100M+ total funding and a $315M valuation, they create popular casual games like Tile Busters and Dice Dreams. Moon Active acquired a 15.9% stake in 2024. ## Company Overview - **Founded:** 2020 - **Location:** Istanbul, Turkey - **Founders:** Remi Onur, Barkin Basaran, Mithat Madra, Fuat Coskun - **Valuation:** ~$315M (2024) - **Model:** Free-to-play mobile games ## Funding - **Total Raised:** $100M+ over 2 rounds - **Seed Round:** $55M led by Griffin Gaming Partners - **2024 Investment:** $50M from Moon Active (15.9% stake) ## Notable Games ### Tile Busters - Free-to-play casual puzzle - Tile matching, sudoku, mahjong - Town-building progression ### Royal Riches - Mobile casual game ### Blitz Busters - Match 3D game ## Investors - Griffin Gaming Partners - Moon Active (strategic investor) - Other VCs ## Leadership Background Executives formerly from: - Riot Games - Zynga ## Why Choose Spyke Games - **$315M valuation** major mobile studio - **Riot, Zynga** veteran leadership - **Moon Active** strategic backing - **Istanbul-based** Turkish gaming hub - **Casual games** successful portfolio

## About 23 Studios 23 Studios is a specialist game localization company with 15 years of experience bringing games to Turkish and Arabic-speaking markets. With 768 completed projects for 108 business partners, they are a trusted partner for publishers seeking quality localization in the MENA region. ## Services ### Localization - Text localization with cultural adaptation - Dialogue and UI translation - Marketing content localization (trailers, ads, promotional materials) ### Voice-Over Production - Character voice acting - Story narration - Audio direction and production ### Quality Assurance - Localization QA (LQA) - Linguistic testing - Cultural accuracy review ### Consultation - Cultural consultation for MENA markets - Market entry strategy - Content adaptation guidance ## Languages **Primary Focus:** - Turkish (native-quality translations) - Arabic (comprehensive MENA coverage) **Additional:** Multi-language support available ## Notable Clients - SEGA - CD Projekt RED - Ubisoft - Blizzard Entertainment - GSC Game World ### Recent Projects - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (Turkish & Arabic) - Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (Arabic) - Warhammer 40,000 series ## IndieSync Program Dedicated initiative supporting indie developers with: - Affordable localization solutions - Tailored packages for smaller studios - Accessible entry to Turkish and Arabic markets ## Why Choose 23 Studios - **15 years** of localization expertise - **768+ projects** completed successfully - **"Flawless" quality** praised by industry reviews - **MENA market specialists** with deep cultural knowledge - **Indie-friendly** with dedicated support programs

Gaya Studios is an AAA/AA content creation and co-development partner to top-tier 1st parties, including Xbox Game Studios (7+ years), Take-Two, and Google DeepMind. We specialize in high-end, ultra-realistic content and large-scale production, with a proven track record delivering complex projects on time and on budget. Built on quality, scale, and execution, Gaya operates from studios in Tel Aviv (HQ), Madrid, Bucharest, alongside elite global teams.