Side Gaming Expansion Into Saudi Arabia with Savvy Partnership

British gaming services provider Side has announced its official Side gaming expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in the country’s growing gaming ecosystem. The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Savvy Games Group, Saudi Arabia’s National Champion for Games and Esports, at Side’s London headquarters on July 10.

Strategic Partnership Drives Side Gaming Expansion

The partnership between Side and Savvy Games Group will focus on supporting the growth of Saudi Arabia’s gaming industry while fostering local talent development. Side has revealed plans to establish a physical studio in Riyadh by Q4 2025, which will provide codev services specifically for MENA region developers.

“Saudi Arabia is quite possibly the most important market for the global gaming industry right now, especially when it comes to the development scene,” said Deborah Kirkham, CEO at Side. “It’s got all the right pieces in play for aggressive growth for UK companies – inviting partners like Savvy, an audience that wants more localised and bespoke content, and the backing of a government who knows how to proactively invest in the future.”

Vision 2030 Alignment and Market Opportunity

The Side gaming expansion aligns directly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to diversify the economy and establish the Kingdom as a global hub for gaming and digital entertainment. The collaboration will enhance the Kingdom’s creative infrastructure while delivering high-quality games to regional players.

Jacob Madsen, VP EMEA at Side, emphasized his excitement about entering the Middle Eastern market: “Working hand in hand with Savvy Games Group means that we can bring our combined expertise together and deliver something meaningful to the region’s output when it comes to gaming. This is really just the beginning of our story here.”

We are delighted to partner with Side and look forward to supporting the team to enter Saudi Arabia’s vibrant gaming industry and establish their presence here in Riyadh.
Dr. Nika Nour, SVP and Head of International Business Development, Savvy Games Group

Riyadh Studio to Connect Regional and Global Networks

The planned Riyadh studio represents a major strategic move for Side, which relocated its headquarters to London earlier this year following a complete rebrand. The new facility will serve as a hub for domestic MENA clients while connecting Saudi Arabian developers to Side’s global network of studios. This expansion demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting the next generation of creative professionals in the region and contributing to Saudi Arabia’s position as a gaming industry leader.