Published on: 11/03/2024
Saudi Arabia’s Emergence on the Blockchain Gaming and Web3 Scene: A Shifting Economic Forte
With the global move towards a more digitized economy, Saudi Arabia has begun to transition from its archaic, oil-dependent economy, embracing the dynamic duo of blockchain gaming and Web3. The motivation behind this venture is the kingdoms Vision 2030, a plan championed by its leaders to diversify the countrys economic sphere and reduce its heavy reliance on oil revenue.
For Saudi Arabia, a foray into advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain is not a mere exploration of new fields but a transformative journey into a larger, more diversified economy. While the countrys mark in the global game and AI development sphere is yet to be profound, the ripple effects of its current investment in gaming and Web3 are impossible to ignore.
Emerging conversations between Saudi Arabia and leading blockchain entities such as The Sandbox and Animoca Brands underscore the kingdoms eagerness to embrace Web3 and blockchain gaming. Noting the keen interest from Saudi, Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu reaffirmed the possibility of Web3 gaming to be a key driving force for the future of gaming. As the global gaming sector transfigures into a more digitized form, blockchain-based gaming, specifically Web3 gaming, seems to be taking the larger piece of the cake, and Saudi aims to lead the banquet.
Indeed, there appears to be a concerted drive in Saudi Arabia to claim leadership in this emerging sector. With a youthful, tech-adept population, Saudi Arabia is well-positioned to take advantage of the surge in popularity of blockchain games, and more broadly, the growing implications of Web3. A report by Boston Consulting Group indicates that Saudi Arabia represents a staggering 45% of the Middle Easts gaming market, transcending $1.8 billion in value.
Further, through its Public Investment Fund, the kingdom is progressing on its vision to become a global gaming hub, having pumped $38 billion into the sector. But while Saudi leadership understands the high-level concept of Web3 and its potential synergy with esports, regulatory clarity on cryptocurrency and virtual assets is still in the making. As other nations offer a clearer operating environment for crypto and Web3, Saudi Arabia is on a learning curve to get a grip on them.
Web3s adoption in gaming, according to co-founder Siu, can significantly propel financial literacy. The concept goes beyond just getting Web3 wallets to users; it educates them on the potential value of the assets they hold. This highlights the profound shifts blockchain and Web3 are set to bring into the gaming sphere. These transformations are about more than just the potential for monetization. They also carry with them a new era of user experiences, creator economy, digital supply chains, and fractionable ownership.
The co-founder of Mythical Games, John Linden, perceives a gradual adoption happening. He expects the Web3 gaming segment to onboard 50 to 100 million players in the next two years, with his firm’s own titles targeting 10 million players by year-end 2023.
To refocus Saudi Arabias economy from being oil-slanted to being diverse and tech-enabled means to alter its historical makeup. But as with any disruptive shift, it offers the potential for innovation and growth on a level previously unthinkable. For investors, this presents a momentous opportunity. As Saudi Arabia repositions itself as a hub for blockchain gaming and Web3 technologies, the country itself could become as attractive to investors as the digital assets it welcomes. Like the oil boom of yesteryears, a prospective digital boom may just be around the corner.
Therefore, for investors interested in new, evolving frontiers, the journey of Saudi Arabia into the realm of blockchain gaming and Web3 technologies provides a narrative worth following – a captivating story of how a traditional nation oil giant could metamorphose into a leading tech titan.