Gulf Cooperation Council Gaming Markets Hit $2.24 Billion in 2023

According to a recent report by Niko Partners, in collaboration with the Saudi Esports Federation, the Gulf Cooperation Council markets saw a significant $2.24 billion in player spending in 2023 within the Middle East and North Africa region. The report, titled "Localisation in the MENA Region," offers valuable insights into the approaches to localization in MENA countries, with a particular emphasis on the GGC markets, which comprise Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The forecast indicates a compound annual growth rate of 7.7% in player spending, which is expected to reach $3.48 billion by 2028. Additionally, the number of gamers is projected to grow at a rate of 2.9%, reaching 38.9 million. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are anticipated to be the fastest-growing markets in terms of revenue, accounting for nearly 80% of all player spending across the six markets. The report, conducted in December 2023, surveyed 1,225 respondents and found that the majority of gamers (91.7%) play games on smartphones, followed by PC (61.9%), and console (55.3%). In terms of localization, 41% of respondents stated that they only play games with Arabic localization or are more likely to play games with localization, while 27.4% said they would be less likely to or stop playing a game due to poor localization. A significant 74% of those surveyed considered it "very or somewhat important" to see Arabic representation in games, including characters, stories, culture, and settings. However, 10% of respondents who played a game with an Arabic setting or theme found them to be "either often or always disrespectful of Arab culture." Niko Partners emphasizes that Arabic localization is a crucial strategy for developers seeking to expand their audience and revenue streams, allowing them to tap into the rich and diverse Middle East and North Africa market, create experiences that resonate with Arabic-speaking gamers, and unlock new opportunities.