The Middle East is experiencing an extraordinary surge in gaming and esports, with numerous reports highlighting its rapid expansion. The MENA Gaming & eSports Summit 2023 reveals that there are over 377 million gamers in the region. Statista indicates that Egypt boasts the largest gaming population, while Saudi Arabia leads in gaming revenue, and the UAE has the highest revenue per user. An AnalysysMason report identifies Saudi Arabia as the frontrunner in the Middle East, holding more than 40% of MENA’s total market share, followed closely by the UAE. It’s evident that gaming is flourishing in this region.

In light of this explosive growth, Dr. Mohammed Alshahrani engaged in a fireside chat with Arif Aabed at the BroadcastPro Summit KSA. They discussed the key elements fueling gaming in the region and the evolving significance of MBC’s Wizzo app.

Understanding the Gaming Landscape

Kicking off the session titled ‘Playing to Win: How MBC Wizzo is engaging the swipe generation,’ Dr. Alshahrani highlighted MBC’s pioneering role in gaming, launching the Wizzo app back in 2015, ahead of the industry’s momentum. Aabed shared insights that influenced MBC’s entry into gaming: “We shifted our perspective on Gen Z and the Alpha generation. They don’t have shorter attention spans; they simply make quicker decisions about the content they wish to consume. They are adept at multi-screening, often engaging with up to five screens at once. Moreover, they gravitate towards relatable content—videos shot on an iPhone resonate more with them than high-end productions.”

“They seek interactive, relevant content that fosters community. This is where gaming shines. Gamers transition from passive consumers to active participants, investing effort into gameplay, earning bragging rights, and building communities. Wizzo provides all of this,” Aabed emphasized.

Adapting to Trends

With the gaming industry witnessing a significant rise in metaverse integrations and cross-platform play, Dr. Alshahrani inquired about MBC’s strategies to keep up with these evolving trends.

“The Arab world encompasses a vast geography, from the Middle East to North Africa, each with its own cultural nuances. We didn’t just create games; we crafted experiences tailored to each region. For example, humor-based content drives engagement in Egypt, while games in Saudi Arabia highlight the traditions of Arab warriors and their stories,” Aabed explained.

This deep cultural integration is evident in Wizzo’s resonance with regional pop culture. Aabed recounted a recent viral moment: “When Egypt’s airport systems malfunctioned and authorities resorted to manually stamping travel documents, people began referencing our Madame Afaf game, which shares a similar concept.”

Another aspect contributing to Wizzo’s popularity is its live streaming and video uploading capabilities. Wizzo collaborates with BytePlus to enhance the in-app experience seamlessly.

“Live streaming has become a cornerstone of Wizzo’s community-building efforts. It allows us to engage gamers who are not just after rewards but also seek recognition. These players invest significant time and effort, showcasing their skills and commitment to the game,” Aabed noted.

Dr. Alshahrani reaffirmed the significance of video hosting and distribution, citing that Capcut, a ByteDance video editing app, ranks third in Saudi Arabia. “We utilize AI-driven solutions to enhance the product experience for our users and enterprise clients. We even have a new AI-enhanced video editing tool that can upgrade archived videos to HD at very affordable prices.”

Wizzo’s live chat feature also plays a crucial role. “In open-world games, there are various ways to complete missions,” Aabed explained. “Multiplayer games offer creative scoring methods or strategies for achieving goals. These elements spark conversations, and the ability to live chat with other players or audiences during these moments adds to the gaming experience.”

User security is another vital factor driving Wizzo’s appeal. “Given that many users are children or young adults, Wizzo’s security measures, such as the option to delete user data, have successfully built trust among families,” Dr. Alshahrani remarked.

Beyond just gaming enthusiasts, Wizzo is attracting passionate stakeholders, including game designers, publishers, and distributors. Dr. Alshahrani highlighted MBC’s initiatives to support SMEs and startups in the gaming sector. By partnering with local and regional game developers, MBC creates opportunities for them to showcase their work in Saudi Arabia.

Aabed elaborated on their approach: “We are constantly seeking the right talent to bring to Saudi Arabia or connecting them with established companies to facilitate their relocation. Our leading position in the media industry allows us to offer a glimpse of launching in this part of the world. We are also training individuals at the grassroots level, reaching out to graduates in the Kingdom and encouraging them to view gaming as a viable business.”

However, these efforts come with challenges. “Cultural issues often arise, with parents hesitant about their children pursuing careers in gaming. Therefore, we conduct numerous awareness and educational campaigns, both regionally and globally.”

Looking Ahead

As for the future, Wizzo is preparing to launch an updated version soon. While the release date is yet to be confirmed, gamers can anticipate several new features and an enhanced immersive experience.