More people play video games for an hour or more every week. Video games have become a respected entertainment medium after the industry made a series of directional changes that ultimately led to its becoming the powerhouse it is today.

In Saudi Arabia and Egypt, gaming culture is booming, with over half the population playing video games.

According to the US-based online gaming platform Mobile Premier League, Egypt ranked first, and Saudi Arabia secured the second-highest global ranking for average daily time spent playing video games, signaling a significant shift in leisure activities. 

The report says Egypt’s gaming culture is experiencing rapid growth due to a rising middle class and increased internet accessibility. 

Popular genres include first-person shooters, sports games like FIFA Soccer, and multiplayer online battle arena games like Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile, also known as PUBG.

This bodes well for Saudi Arabia, whose National Gaming and Esports Strategy aims to contribute $13 billion to the country’s gross domestic product.

The vibrant online gaming industry is rapidly gaining traction in the region. It is fuelled by a number of factors, including a burgeoning digital economy, a tech-savvy population, a burgeoning youth population, widespread accessibility to smartphones, and high-speed internet.

Additionally, according to MPL, the rise of gaming content creators and platforms like YouTube and Twitch is driving greater engagement within the Saudi gaming community.

Advancements in technology and increased Arabic-language content are also driving the growing gaming landscape.

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