August 2026 MENA Moves Tracker: PIF, Loom Games, Merak Capital, and Evlnu GameWorks among six moves tracked this month
A regular roundup of talent moves shaping the MENA region and Africa
Latest
PIF appoints Rachel Hitchins as senior vice president
Her appointment comes as the sovereign wealth fund continues to expand its global investment activities
Nour Khrais argues blocking AI from kids teaches them nothing
"A child using AI for homework is not automatically learning to think..."
Naphora Games Group enters soft launch with three original mobile games
A fourth game is set for soft launch in late September
Tunisian developer Urar Studio reveals Kopno: Blightfall trailer
Kopno: Blightfall combines survival, exploration, settlement building and RPG systems
Gaza Sky Geeks scales game development training past 1,000 registrations
"There is a clear hunger among young Palestinians for practical, future-facing digital skills"
Loom Games appoints Cansu Karahan Can as people & culture manager
She joins Loom after more than three years at Midas
Cozy Country is an upcoming landscape-painting game from developer Robert Kabwe
Players paint their own landscapes, including trees, rivers, and villages, then explore them on foot
MDEC and Xsolla launch Digital Games Accelerator Programme for Malaysian studios
Delivery is hybrid, with one compulsory in-person session for selected participants
IsaKaba+ is open again, free during early access
IsaKaba+ is back open for sign-ups, and for now, it's free.
Exel by Merak launches Exel Academy with premium gaming classes in Riyadh
Participants who attend all five days of a class receive an Exel Academy Certificate of Completion
The Lonely Architect is an upcoming platformer from Nigerian developer Odaro Eguavoen
Follows an overworked architect who falls asleep after another day at work and enters his subconscious
News
Esports World Cup 2026 concludes with AG.AL crowned champions
The Esports World Cup will return to Riyadh in 2027.
News
Maysalward launches NARD Guild for MENA board game creators
"Talent without a connected support system remains isolated," said Maysalward CEO Nour Khrais
News
Inuv8 Studios opens Project Override for wishlisting on Steam
The developer described the title as one where exploration favours curiosity over hand-holding
News
DigiPen launches full scholarship for Saudi game development students
This new scholarship marks DigiPen's first full degree pathway offer for Saudi nationals at its US campus.
Features
Classy Games' Jamie McClenaghan on the making of Orbital
"I've always been fascinated by space, black holes, wormholes, supernovae, and the science behind them."
News
Le Cabinet du Savoir Ludique reveals The Arab League of Misfits gameplay
The game is built around a story of quiet support and finding home in unexpected places
News
Sanddrifter Studio releases Sijen: Chaos Board on iOS and Android
The game is free to play with no pay-to-win mechanics
News
Global Game Jam names 2026 GGJ-gamescom dev Scholars
Nigeria's Michael Fagbemi of Maliyo Games is among the recipients
News
Crown's Trial is a new souls-like title from Egyptian developer Gilded Games
The game will feature a fully voiced and illustrated narrative built around its legendary figures
News
Savvy Games Camp sparks shift as 86% of teens eye careers in games
The camp was held under the theme "From Player to Game Maker"
News
Chickmania launches Fame Game with regional YouTube star Ahmad Aburob
The amassed 50,000 installs on day one
News
Naphora Games' Content Creator Mansion title enters soft launch
Hire NPC staff to automate production and manage individual stations