In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been making significant strides in establishing itself as a major player in the global video game industry, investing billions of dollars to become the “ultimate global hub” for games and esports by 2030. However, the foray into gaming is sparking criticism and backlash, much like its ventures into football and golf, with accusations of “sportswashing” human rights abuses in Saudi.
Last September, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund allocated nearly $40 billion to create a new conglomerate aimed at transforming the kingdom’s image into an emerging sports and entertainment powerhouse. In February, the fund became Nintendo’s biggest outside investor, and more recently, Saudi Arabia hosted a major gaming tournament with a record-breaking $45 million prize pool, elevating its status in the industry.
However, this rapid transformation of Saudi Arabia’s sports and entertainment landscape has brought attention to its track record on human rights issues. Critics point to the kingdom’s alleged involvement in the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident, and question the intentions behind its aggressive moves into the gaming industry.
A Plan to Revamp Economy
The gaming community, predominantly young and active online, has become a battleground for showcasing power and wealth among nations, drawing parallels to the Roman Colosseum spectacle. As Saudi Arabia enters this space, concerns arise about who is orchestrating these endeavours and what motivations lie behind them.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a 37-year-old avid gamer himself, views gaming as a crucial component of his Vision 2030 plan to revamp the kingdom’s economy, reduce dependence on oil, and provide employment and entertainment for its youthful population.
While the Saudi gaming ambitions may have the potential to boost the nation’s economy and diversify its offerings, the apparent disregard for human rights issues raises questions about the ethics of this endeavour. As Saudi Arabia seeks to build its presence on the global gaming stage, the international community must scrutinize the intentions and actions of the architects behind this ambitious plan.
