Game developer MOONTON Games and the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to grow the esports industry in Saudi Arabia.
The MoU was signed at the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC), held in Riyadh, by Lucas Mao, the Managing Director of Global Esports at MOONTON Games, and Turki Alfawzan, Chief Executive Officer of the SEF.
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The event at which the memorandum was signed, the NGSC, ran alongside the Esports Awards 2024 where Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) a game developed by MOONTON Games won Esports Mobile Game of the Year. Both events took place at the Esports World Cup.
The first idea behind the partnership is for the two companies to work together to develop plans for the growth of Saudi Arabia’s esports industry. According to the release, these plans will cover marketing, the hosting of professional tournaments, education and community development.
The second part of the deal has seen the SEF commit to including MLBB as a game title in its events calendar for 2025.
This is not the first time that MOONTON has invested in the Middle Eastern market, recently partnering Saudi Arabian entertainment and tourism megaproject Qiddiya to grow MLBB. Moreover, it isn’t the first time that the developer of the game has partnered with an esports federation, working with the United States Esports Federation (USEF) to help with MLBB player selection.
MOONTON and the SEF also previously worked together when the SEF partnered with MPL MENA back in June of this year.
Lucas Mao, the Managing Director of Global Esports at MOONTON Games, commented on the deal: “MLBB has grown steadily in the Kingdom, especially the size of our fan base and the competitive levels of its esports athletes.
“Most recently, we have seen this at the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) 2024, held in conjunction with the Esports World Cup in Riyadh; both of MENA’s representatives, Twisted Minds and Team Falcons, put in impressive performances in front of home crowds.
“However, there are still tremendous opportunities to expand the esports ecosystem further. We could not be more delighted to collaborate with SEF, who has been the driving force of the Kingdom’s esports sector and the entity in charge of nurturing elite gaming athletes, developing the gaming community and growing the sector in alignment with the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. Together, we look forward to cultivating an open esports ecosystem that is inclusive, diverse, and competitive.”
Last year the SEF signed a partnership with the British Esports Federation to develop esports talent through cultural exchange programmes, internships, training, and educational initiatives. The partnership announcement was met with community criticism on social media.
Saudi Arabia’s government-led involvement in esports has caused community concern given the country’s human rights record, especially towards LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and censorship. Some commentators have used the term ‘esportwashing’ to describe the country’s attempt to alter its public image.
