Economist Podcasts Dune raider: Saudi is a video-game superpower
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Oct 10, 2025 
Tom Wainwright, Media editor at The Economist, sheds light on Saudi Arabia's booming video game industry and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's personal passion for gaming. The discussion highlights Saudi's massive acquisitions, including a $55 billion deal with Electronic Arts, and explores the implications for regional culture and job creation. Fraser McIlwraith offers insights into Finland's icebreaker industry, discussing its strategic importance and shift towards Western clients, amid rising geopolitical concerns in the Arctic.
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Saudi Accumulates Gaming Power
- Saudi Arabia now owns large stakes in many household-name gaming companies, assembling a de facto gaming empire.
- The Public Investment Fund and Savvy Games have built a $38bn war chest and major shareholdings across the industry.
Personal Passion Meets Economic Strategy
- Mohammed bin Salman’s personal enthusiasm for games helps explain the push into the sector, including EA's FIFA franchise.
- Saudi aims to diversify its economy and create tens of thousands of gaming jobs by 2030.
Esports As The New Theme Park
- Saudi seeks to build a 'Disney of video games' with live experiences and esports infrastructure.
- It now controls roughly 40% of the global esports industry via major buys like ESL and Faceit.