On July 10th, Side signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Side's London offices with Savvy Games Group, which plays a leading role in Saudi Arabia's Games and Esports industry, to partner in supporting the growth of the gaming ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Side also revealed plans to open a physical studio in Riyadh by the end of this fiscal year, which will aim on providing codev services to MENA developers.

"The way we see it, Saudi Arabia is quite possibly the most important market for the global gaming industy right now, especially when it comes to the develepment scene," said Deborah Kirkham, CEO at Side. "Saudi Arabia has a partner like Savvy which aims for more localized and bespoke content, and the backing of a government who knows how to proactively invest in the future. This allows us to deliver the kind of excellence Side is globally known for in Saudi Arabia."

The actions outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Savvy Games Group aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals, to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a global hub for gaming and digital entertainement. Together, Savvy Games Group and Side will focus on fostering local talent, enhancing the Kingdom's creative infrastructure, and crucially, delivering best-in-class games to players in the region.

"Having a personal background working with the Middle East's sports and entertainment industry, I'm really excited to be bringing Side into the region in a big way," said Jacob Madsen, VP EMEA, at Side. "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."

The expansion is a major strategic move for Side, which earlier this year launched a full rebranding initiative. The new Riyadh studio, once open, will be a hub for domestic MENA clients while also allowing developers in Saudi Arabia to connect with Side's global network of studios.

"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" said Nikka Nour, SVP and Head of International Business Development, at Savvy Games Group. "Our collaboration with Side reflects our shared vision to elevate the global gaming experience and support the next generation of creative professionals in the region."

About Side (https://side.inc )

Side (formerly PTW) is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009, Side has grown from their Japanese roots to become a global force in the video games industry, with 20 studios in 14 countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. Headquartered in London, Side's industry-leading services include art production, game development, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

About Savvy Games Group (httpw://savvygames.com/)

Savvy Games Group ("Savvy") was formed with a mission to drive long-term growth and innovation in the games and esports industry. Backed by its shareholder, the Public Investment Fund, Savvy deploys capital over long-term horizons through acquisitions, investments, and business ventures. By expanding its portfolio and growing the games and esports ecosystem, it is shaping the future of the sector on a global scale. As Saudi Arabia's National Champion for Games and Esports, Savvy is also focused on developing the sector's domestic ecosystem.