By Nilanjan Dey
The gaming industry has grown significantly over the last decade or so, with a projected $178 billion in 2021. The consequences have been felt all over the world, including the Middle East.
According to a Redseer report, the MENA region’s gaming market could exceed $5 billion by 2025, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the way.
According to the report, all markets will experience sustained growth, driven by rising customer spending and ad time. Web3 and gaming content localization are two other critical factors.
The report also mentioned the growing number of female gamers in the MENA region. The expansion of the gaming market has resulted in a massive influx of players from underserved demographics such as Generation X and female gamers. Female gamers are also just as enthusiastic as their male counterparts.
According to the report, the gender gap between male and female gamers has narrowed significantly, with male gamers accounting for 64% and female gamers accounting for 58%. However, Saudi Arabia has a slight advantage over the UAE in this regard, with female gamers outnumbering male gamers by 69% to 68%.
With the emergence of Web3.0, the internet will become decentralized, utilizing blockchain technology and digital tokens. AR/VR games and in-game concerts with applications such as play to earn are also gaining traction, with player interest rising and paving the way for a more stable Web 3.0.
According to research, one in every five gamers in the MENA region participates in play to earn games because of the incentive nature of these games and to supplement their income. This demonstrates that MENA has the potential to be at the forefront of web 3.0 gaming and the gaming industry in general.
