It has been practically a yr since we revealed our final article exploring the explosive progress of the video games business within the Center East and North Africa (MENA) territory. With its continued standing because the fastest-growing video games market on the planet – and exhibiting no indicators of slowing down – loads has modified in that point.
So let’s compensate for the most recent developments for the MENA market and the way it seems to be in context with the worldwide video games business.
In line with video games market intelligence firm Newzoo’s Video games Market Report and Forecast, the worldwide market reached a complete of $184 billion in income in 2023, advertising and marketing 0.6% progress year-over-year.
The MENA area, in the meantime, loved a 4.7% rise in income to $7.1bn Y/Y for a similar interval. The market now accounts for a 4.7% share of whole revenues globally.
Wanting forward, Newzoo forecasts that international revenues are projected to achieve $205.4bn in 2026. That doubtlessly equates to a market worth for MENA within the area of $10bn the yr after subsequent. And that is the type of quantity that makes us so excited for the territory’s future.
MENA-3 is the magic quantity
Earlier this month, Niko Companions revealed its third annual MENA-3 video video games market report masking the three main markets within the area: Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt.
The MENA-3 online game market amassed a complete income of $1.92bn in 2023, marking a 7.8% Y/Y improve.
As we reported beforehand, Niko Companions states that the MENA-3 video games market amassed $1.92bn in income final yr, marking a rise of seven.8% Y/Y. That is considerably greater than the overall MENA progress as provided by Newzoo above, making these three international locations a notable hotbed of exercise.
That is why we selected the UAE’s most populous metropolis, Dubai, as the placement for our GameExpo Summit, which returns to town on Might 1st and 2nd.
After a triumphant debut in 2023, welcoming over 1,250 attendees, the two-day video games business occasion returns alongside the Esports and Video games Competition on the Dubai World Commerce Centre.
Partnering with the Dubai Financial system & Tourism division (DET), the convention will function greater than 100 audio system bringing you the most recent knowledge and tendencies, in addition to a vital replace on the expansion and potential of the MENA market.
You possibly can join now to be notified when tickets go on sale.
Smartphones and esports
Niko Companions stories that smartphones stay probably the most utilised system for gaming in MENA-3, with 87.2% of avid gamers preferring the hand held system. Cellular additionally boasts the very best common weekly gaming length, totalling 8.7 hours.
There are over 420 million Arabic audio system globally, which makes it the No. 5 most spoken language on the planet. Listening to and collaborating within the video games business in MENA will assist firms succeed globally as properly.
Lisa Hanson, Niko Companions
It forecasts MENA-3 revenues to rise to $2.65bn by 2027, reflecting a five-year compound annual progress price (CAGR) of 8.2%.
The entire variety of avid gamers reached 68.4 million in 2023, indicating a 2.9% Y/Y rise. That is anticipated to achieve 79.6m by 2027, with a five-year CAGR of three.7%.
Niko Companions’ report additionally said that the MENA-3 area exhibits sturdy engagement with esports, with 73% of avid gamers doing so in some capability. This engagement, it mentioned, will “doubtless catapult the area alongside international esports giants resembling Singapore and China”.
“There are over 420m Arabic audio system globally, which makes it the No. 5 most spoken language on the planet,” mentioned Niko Companions CEO and president Lisa Hanson.
“Listening to and collaborating within the video games business in MENA will assist firms succeed globally as properly.”
Corporations to regulate
With such spectacular progress for the area, we launched the inaugural PocketGamer.biz High 30 MENA Recreation Makers proper on the finish of 2022. The record takes into consideration a large string of things, from monetary efficiency and obtain numbers to evaluate scores and recreation high quality, plus innovation, cultural/business influence and forecasts.
The High 30 MENA Recreation Makers record makes for spectacular studying and options firms like Tamatem, Jawaker, Maysalward, Babil Video games, Nine66 and Sandsoft Video games.
A kind of was even the winner, however we can’t spoil the shock…
See for your self!
After a triumphant first yr in 2023, the Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects returns on Might 1st to 2nd, 2024 alongside the Dubai Esports and Video games Competition on the Dubai World Commerce Centre.
The summit will function greater than 100 famend video games business audio system from all around the globe delivering insightful talks, panels and seminars throughout numerous themed tracks.
There can be intensive networking alternatives for anybody seeking to get established within the area, whether or not you are a developer searching for a neighborhood writer, or excited about exporting a sizzling new recreation from MENA to discover a international viewers.
Tickets can be obtainable very quickly, however within the meantime you may register curiosity.