Video Game Genres in the Gulf
The Gulf region, specifically the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, has a diverse gaming landscape with various genres enjoying significant popularity. The substantial potential of the Gulf region has not gone unnoticed. Game developers and publishers are now actively targeting the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market through gaming localization, recognizing its vast opportunities.
Video Game Genres Statistics in Gulf
A Survey Reveals Popularity of FPS and RPG Genres Among Saudi Gamers
According to a Statista 2023 survey, first-person shooter (FPS) games were the most played genre among professional gamers in Saudi Arabia, with 58% of respondents indicating their preference. Interestingly, role-playing (RPG) and strategy games were equally popular, each attracting 25% of professional gamers.
The survey also highlighted the appeal of other genres, with racing, fighting, third-person shooter, and battle arena games each capturing the interest of 16.7% of professional gamers.
These findings underscore the diverse gaming preferences within the Saudi gaming community, with FPS and RPG genres leading the pack among professional players. The survey results provide valuable insights for game developers and publishers looking to cater to the growing Saudi gaming market.
Breaking Down the Saudi Gamer Market: Preferences by Genre and Platform
- 🔰 Multiplayer Games: 58% of professional gamers in Saudi Arabia preferred playing multiplayer games.
- 🔰 Co-op Games: 33% of respondents preferred this genre among professional gamers.
- 🔰 Single-Player Games: Most popular among casual gamers (42% of respondents).
- 🔰 Mobile Puzzle Games: Played by 39% of the online population in Saudi Arabia.
- 🔰 Sports Games: Played by 34% of the online population on mobile.
- 🔰 Racing Games: Played by 31% of the online population on mobile.
- 🔰 Adventure Games: Played by 29% of the online population on mobile.
Saudi Arabia: Gaming Powerhouse in MENA
Saudi Arabia stands out as the gaming powerhouse among Arabic-speaking nations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This distinction is attributed to the country’s unique combination of a large population and high spending power, resulting in the highest revenue in the gaming industry.
The country has a high spending power, with a GDP of over $750 billion in 2022. The gaming industry in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow significantly, with a projected growth rate of 8.53% from 2024 to 2027. This is why we’ve focused on the Saudi market in the numbers above.
GCC
The most popular genres in the Gulf region are shooter and sports games, with Fortnite, FIFA, Overwatch, and Rocket League being among the biggest titles.
Levant
In the Levant region, Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) and shooter games are the top genres. League of Legends, CS: GO, Minecraft, and Fortnite are favorites among gamers.
Africa
In Africa, arcade, strategy, sports, and casual games are the most popular genres.
Conclusion
The MENA gaming landscape is diverse, with distinct preferences for gaming genres and titles across different regions. Understanding and catering to these regional differences will be crucial for game developers and publishers looking to succeed in the rapidly growing MENA gaming market.
