Sandsoft and NetEase Games have forged a partnership to establish a joint venture named Stellar Gate Games, aimed at spearheading game publishing, marketing, live operations, and esports activities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Sandsoft, an Ajlan & Bros Holding Group subsidiary, brings its mobile-first game development and publishing expertise and NetEase Games’ global stature as a prominent developer and publisher of video game IP across various genres and platforms. This collaboration, announced on March 27, 2024, aims to leverage Sandsoft’s established presence in the MENA region and NetEase Games’ extensive portfolio and international operations to catalyze the game industry’s growth in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.
The partnership is also aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly focusing on the National Gaming and Esports Strategy led by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, thereby contributing to the economic and social reform objectives outlined in the vision.
Mr. Abdulaziz Al Ajlan, Managing Director of Sandsoft, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting its significance in establishing Stellar Gate Games as the premier destination for game launches in the burgeoning MENA market. He underscored the strategic alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in facilitating this collaboration.
Ethan Wang, Senior Vice President, NetEase, Inc. stated:
“In keeping with our proud spirit of global collaboration, creativity, and innovation, NetEase Games is excited to enter into this joint venture with Sandsoft to transcend boundaries and bring our games to the MENA region and its enthusiastic community of gamers. Furthermore, the opportunity this joint venture with Sandsoft provides for other developers and publishers is something we are keen to embrace. NetEase Games is passionate about our games and our gaming community, so it is a great pleasure to share our game experience more broadly and extend a warm welcome to MENA gamers.”
David Fernandez, CEO of Sandsoft, emphasized the joint venture’s mission to broaden access to global gaming content for MENA audiences. He emphasized the role of Stellar Gate Games in facilitating partnerships with NetEase Games and with developers and publishers worldwide, aiming to meet the diverse gaming preferences of players in the region.
