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Saudi Gazette
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia is leading the of esports on the global stage
The ES TIMES — During a session titled "Driving Global Growth: Esports and Sports from a Vision 2030 Perspective," Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan spoke about the evolution of esports to become a key component of Saudi Arabia's development. Esports in Saudi Arabia is not just entertainment; it supports innovation, empowers youth, and adds long-term value to the gaming community in the region and globally. Saudi Arabia has taken bold steps. Launching the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, hosting the Esports World Cup Foundation, and investing in projects like Qiddiya, Prince Faisal said, "We're not waiting for the future, we're creating it." Through the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), he has built a structured ecosystem that develops talent and supports every gamer and creator to thrive. A Thriving Gaming Nation Today, 67% of Saudis consider themselves gamers. With this reality in mind, the goal is clear: for the Kingdom to become the world's premier destination for gaming and esports by 2030. The 18th Edition: A Global Gathering This edition of the International Olympic Academy Congress brought together 150 enthusiastic participants from five continents. Organized by the International Olympic Academy to expand its global Olympic education network, it began with a symbolic visit to the archaeological site of ancient Messenia, connecting the past with the Olympic values. During the opening ceremony, Charilaos Tsolakis, President of the IOA, and Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the HOC, affirmed their shared commitment to the values of the Olympics. Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of education, the role of innovation, and international cooperation as fundamental principles at the heart of this initiative. Esports in Focus The day concluded with an inspiring keynote address and a panel discussion. The discussion was led by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, President of the International Esports Federation, and Makis Asimakopoulos, Director of the IOA. They discussed how digital competitions can align with the Olympic values and even enhance the Olympic spirit, encouraging attendees to consider esports as a cultural force. 19 Olympic Esports Games 2025: A Historic Milestone According to the recent announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Saudi Arabia will host the first Olympic Esports Games in 2025. This move represents a new chapter in the global recognition of esports. With more than 23.5 million players, Saudi Arabia is emerging as a global powerhouse. Esports plays a vital role in social transformation, with nearly half of the gamers in the Kingdom being women. Since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, we have seen continued progress in empowering women. Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, IOC Member and Chair of the Women in Sport Commission, commended this trend, saying: "The rise in women's participation in esports is exciting. I look forward to the Olympic Esports Games as an opportunity to engage more women in a safe and inclusive environment." SEF: At the forefront of the digital revolution Established in 2017, the Saudi Esports Federation has spearheaded the sector's advancement. Prince Faisal stated, "We aim to develop talent and encourage both personal and professional growth." With strong government support, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has committed $38 billion to the gaming sector, which is expected to create 39,000 jobs, support 250 developers, and add $13.33 billion to the national economy by 2030. Strategic Investments and Global Partnerships Savvy Games Group, owned by PIF, is actively forging international partnerships. Their $4.9 billion acquisition of mobile developer Scopely in 2023 demonstrates their long-term ambitions. Prince Faisal explained, "We aim to be a global hub for gaming and esports." In 2023, SEF hosted Gamers8 in Riyadh, which featured a record-breaking $45 million in prizes. Building on this remarkable success, Saudi Arabia is preparing for a new and ambitious step, hosting the Esports World Cup in 2025, reflecting the continued expansion of its strategy to support and develop the global gaming and esports sector. Promoting Education and Skills Through Gaming Gaming is not just entertainment - it's a tool for growth. Prince Faisal believes that gaming can foster creativity, teamwork, and strategic thinking. There are plans to integrate gaming into the education sector. A Nation Ready to Lead Indeed, Saudi Arabia is not only building events and strategies, but is confidently moving toward shaping a future where gaming and esports reach new heights. By investing in the energy of its youth, its ambitious vision, and its unwavering commitment, the Kingdom is not only participating in this global transformation - it is leading the way, shaping the next phase with confidence and creativity. On July 13, 2024, the International Olympic Committee officially confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the first Olympic Esports Games. Prince Faisal enthusiastically commented: "We are proud to be part of writing a new chapter in Olympic history." IOC President Thomas Bach echoed this sentiment, praising the expertise of the Saudi Olympic Committee. He also expressed his firm confidence in its ability to deliver an inspiring and innovative Olympic Esports Games, reflecting the remarkable development of the Kingdom's standing on the global sports scene. Raouf Belhamra – Esports and Gaming writer
Saudi Gazette
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
VALORANT players express frustration over poor conditions at VCT EMEA
The ES TIMES — Concerns are mounting within the VALORANT community as players continue to voice concerns about poor conditions during VCT EMEA Stage 1, which has been severely impacted by persistent technical issues and long downtime. The most detailed criticism came from esports veteran Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev, who highlighted the poor hardware quality and slow response times at Riot Games. Stage 1 has suffered from repeated technical outages over the past several weeks, impacting the flow of competition and increasing pressure on players and streamers. The problems culminated last week during the group stage match between Team Liquid and Movistar KOI, when a downtime of over 30 minutes forced officials to move the ongoing match on the Lotus map to a new server. In an attempt to address server instability, Riot temporarily moved matches to online servers, but this change has led to new issues, including high ping for players. Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports, EMEA at Riot Games, shared a statement and apologized for the difficulty of addressing these issues during the season. He said, "Resolving this issue is a very complex challenge, and we're in the middle of the regular season, as the studio is used almost every day, leaving us little time to take down systems and fully investigate." Ringland also confirmed that a comprehensive investigation will take place between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs, scheduled for May 8. Derke responded critically, noting that players have been reporting these issues since the start of VALORANT's franchise system in 2023, but little has changed. He explained that there are ongoing issues with PC optimization, varying settings, and poor monitor quality, and that players are often told to "be patient" despite no tangible improvement. He said, "PCs are not optimized, settings are constantly changing, and most technical interruptions are due to severe game lag. The support team is checking the situation, and whether they notice the issue or not, we continue playing. There are no fixes." He also expressed his disappointment with Riot's decision to cancel in-person attendance for Wednesday matches, explaining that this decision impacts new players making their debut in top-tier tournaments and fans who traveled to support their favorite teams. Following Derke's statement, other players echoed similar concerns. Retired Sentinels star Tyson "TenZ" Ngo indicated that Riot's disregard for player feedback was one of the main reasons behind his decision to retire. Gentle Mates player Thomas "kAdavra" Johner criticized the quality of equipment, while NAVI player Kyrylo "ANGE1" Karasov blamed the logistical challenges of sharing an arena with League of Legends events, which reduces the opportunity to properly adjust equipment between matches. With the playoffs approaching, Riot Games announced the creation of a player council to improve communication and address player concerns. Ringland also promised significant equipment upgrades later this year. In contrast, former Team Liquid coach and VALORANT celebrity Connor "Sliggy" Blomfield has proposed a more immediate solution. During a co-stream of the VCT EMEA tournament, Sliggy suggested moving the entire group stage matches online, with offline playoffs reserved for the playoffs. He emphasized that this would provide a more stable competitive environment and reduce the costs associated with maintaining the Riot Games Arena during the regular season. As the situation evolves, all eyes will be on Riot Games to see how they address these critical issues in the coming weeks.
Saudi Gazette
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Abu Omar secures spot at Team Falcons x Fatal Fury: Road to Pro tournament
The ES TIMES — The Kingdom's esports scene has welcomed a new standout figure as Abu Omar emerged victorious in the Team Falcons x Fatal Fury: Road to Pro Tournament Finals, held on May 2, 2025. His triumph not only highlighted technical mastery but also exceptional mental composure, as he outplayed several top-tier fighters to clinch the title. Abu Omar's commanding performance throughout the tournament earned him a coveted spot on the elite Saudi esports squad, Team Falcons, signaling the rise of one of the region's most promising fighting game talents. Abu Omar's Journey In The Tournament What set Abu Omar apart was the caliber of opponents he overcame. Facing both seasoned veterans and rising stars, each round was a high-pressure elimination match requiring adaptive strategy and unwavering focus. From the qualifiers to the grand final, Abu Omar maintained an undefeated streak, underscoring not just his skill but his discipline and preparation. The final clash against Turki ABC was a tense affair. In a best-of-nine showdown, Abu Omar delivered a dominant 5–2 victory, sealing his place among Saudi Arabia's esports elite. What's Next For Abu Omar? Adding prestige to his win, Abu Omar was presented with his official Team Falcons jersey by none other than Mosaad Al-Dossary, Chairman and CEO of Team Falcons and a former FIFA world champion. The symbolic handover marked Abu Omar's official entry into the professional esports world. Team Falcons is one of Saudi Arabia's leading esports organizations, with competitive rosters in Fortnite, PUBG, Valorant, EA Sports FC, and Tekken. The team recently topped the points table at the Esports World Cup, reinforcing its regional and international status. Abu Omar's breakthrough has garnered praise across the fighting game community (FGC), with many calling him the next breakout star from the Middle East. His composure, skillset, and work ethic have made him a fan favorite and a key figure to watch in upcoming events. With the full support of Team Falcons and a packed tournament calendar ahead, Abu Omar is now preparing to represent the team at the Esports World Cup 2025—his first major appearance on the global stage under the Falcons banner. Fans and aspiring players can mark their calendars for the next Falcons x Fatal Fury Qualifier Tournaments, scheduled from May 4 to May 6, 2025, with the Grand Finals set for May 9, 2025. The featured title, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X/S. For those eager to join the Saudi esports scene, registration details for upcoming qualifiers can be found on the official Falcons tournament platform. By Abdel Rehman, Games and Esports Writer
