Game District CEO Saad Hameed joins Michail Katkoff to tell the untold story of Pakistan’s booming gaming industry. From bootstrapped studios to billion-download success, we dive into the rise of Lahore as a serious global player, why Pakistan could be the next Turkey or Vietnam, and what’s holding the ecosystem back from its breakout moment. This is the episode you didn’t know you needed.
Connect with Saad: www.linkedin.com/in/saadhameedkh
00:00 Introduction to Game District and Saad Hameed
02:47 The Structure and Philosophy of Game District
05:41 The Rise of Gaming Studios in Pakistan
08:46 Challenges and Opportunities in the Pakistani Gaming Ecosystem
11:30 The Role of Education and Talent Development
14:19 Venture Capital and Funding Challenges
17:22 Monetization Strategies and Market Focus
20:11 Live Operations and Competitive Landscape
30:36 Competitive Advantages of Pakistan's Gaming Ecosystem
32:58 Bottlenecks and Growth Drivers in Pakistan's Gaming Industry
40:56 Work Culture and Entrepreneurial Mindset in Pakistan
45:45 Pakistan's Unique Strengths in the Gaming Market
52:57 Pathways to Breakout Success for Pakistan's Gaming Industry
