Canadian-based game developer Artisan Studios announced the opening of a brand-new development studio in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The studio plans to hire over 200 skilled developers, forming strong collaborations with local artists to bring forth thrilling new intellectual properties.
Artisan Studios intends to expand its role from game development to game publishing as well. This new expansion sets the stage for the creation of the first-ever AAA titles in the GCC region, highlighting the substantial potential for growth and innovation within Saudi Arabia’s gaming industry.
Mario Rizzo, Co-Founder and CEO of Artisan Studios, shared his excitement about this strategic decision, commenting, “After extensively exploring the region for two years, we firmly believe that Riyadh is the perfect location to establish our new studio. The city’s thriving gaming community and creative atmosphere make it an optimal environment for collaboration and innovation.”
With the new studio, Artisan Studios also became the first participant in Saudi Arabia’s Ignite program. Launched by the country’s Digital Content Council, this initiative aims to propel the growth of the digital content industry by investing $1.1 billion.
The local games industry in Saudi Arabia has received a strong show of commitment from the Public Investment Fund, with a notable investment of $38 billion through its subsidiary, Savvy Games Group.
NEXT: How will Saudi Arabia’s investments shape the gaming industry?
