Latest news with #gaming consoles
Arabian Business
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arabian Business
Saudi gaming market surges with 2.4m consoles imported amid esports boom
Saudi Arabia's video game industry is expanding rapidly, with imports of gaming consoles surpassing 2.4m units in 2024 and 2025, according to the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. In 2024 alone, more than 1.7m consoles were brought into the Kingdom, while 684,489 units have been imported so far in 2025. The top suppliers were China, Japan, and the United States. Saudi games console boom The Saudi Internet Report 2024, released by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, highlighted an 88 per cent improvement in response time for popular online games, alongside strong digital infrastructure growth. Smart devices remain the most widely used gaming platform (24.2 per cent of users), closely followed by PlayStation (23.8 per cent). PlayStation dominates among players aged 10–19, while older demographics prefer mobile gaming. Whiteout Survival, Roblox, and Subway Surfers ranked as the most downloaded mobile games. The Kingdom's gaming ambitions are further showcased by the Esports World Cup, taking place in Riyadh until August 24. The event features more than 2,000 players from more than 100 countries, competing for prizes worth more than $70m, cementing Saudi Arabia's position as a global hub for gaming and esports.
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 days ago
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia's Video Game Market Booms with over 2.4 Million Consoles Imported in Two Years
Saudi Arabia's video game sector has seen remarkable growth in the past two years, with imports of video game consoles reaching over 2.4 million units in 2024 and 2025, according to data from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. In 2024, over 1.7 million units were imported, while 684,489 units have been imported so far in 2025. China, Japan, and the United States were the top suppliers, SPA reported. The Saudi Internet Report 2024 from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission highlighted significant improvements in the digital infrastructure, including an 88% improvement in response time for popular video games. The report also detailed usage trends, showing that smart devices are the most used platform (24.2% of users), followed closely by PlayStation (23.8%). PlayStation is the dominant platform for the 10-19 age group, while smart devices are preferred by older demographics. Whiteout Survival, Roblox, and Subway Surfers were the most downloaded mobile games. The Esports World Cup, which is being held in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, reinforces the Kingdom's growing role as a global gaming hub. The event features over 2,000 players from more than 100 countries competing for prizes exceeding $70 million, solidifying Saudi Arabia's position in the global gaming and esports scene.
