The Saudi Esports Federation is proud to announce that the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (MiSK Foundation) is making its way to Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, the biggest gaming and esports festival worldwide, to host a series of interactive panels which explore areas central to the industry now and in the future.
Established by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2011, MiSK Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to cultivating and encouraging learning and leadership in youth for a better future in Saudi Arabia. MiSK has an inspiring track record in forging partnerships with local and global organizations to build a society based on knowledge – and this success has led to the foundation being a part of Gamers8: The Land of Heroes at Boulevard Riyadh City.
The GameDevZone, which has Nine66 as presenting partner, is a popular educational platform offering world-class opportunities to enhance and expand the Kingdom’s gaming and esports sector. This is where MiSK will lead three panel sessions at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes beginning on Thursday.
Gaming fans and esports enthusiasts are invited to attend the sessions, which promise to provide unique opportunities for attendees to broaden their knowledge and improve their skillsets through the insights and information given to them by leading experts in their field.
Ahmed Albishri, Deputy CEO at the Saudi Esports Federation, and Season Lead at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, said: “We are incredibly honored that the MiSK Foundation is joining us this coming week. The influence and impact of this organization has been tremendous ever since it was launched by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Our Kingdom’s youth has benefitted immeasurably from the opportunities provided by the Foundation, which prides itself on nurturing talent and enriching lives the same way we do here at the Saudi Esports Federation.”
“It’s therefore fitting that we have come together to present our guests with these interactive panel sessions,” Albishri added. “The gaming and esports industry is evolving in ways few could have imagined just years ago – and lessons learned today can prove invaluable for all those who embark on careers and projects within our industry tomorrow.”
This Thursday, August 3, the panel session ‘Beyond the Global Market: Localizing Gaming’ will explore how game developers can create games that resonate with local audiences while still appealing to a global market. The session will feature experts in the gaming industry who will discuss the importance of understanding local culture and preferences when developing games, as well as the technical aspects of localization. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into how to balance the demands of a global market with the need to create games that are culturally relevant and engaging for local audiences.
The following Thursday, on August 10, MiSK Foundation will hold two sessions on the same day. The first, ‘Casual: The New Core? Redefining Gaming’, will explore this trend and its implications for the industry. The session will feature experts in the gaming industry who will discuss the rise of casual gaming and its impact on traditional ‘core’ gaming, as well as its cultural and social significance. Attendees will learn about the rise of casual gaming and its implications, the challenges and opportunities in developing casual games, and how game developers are adapting to this industry shift.
As for the third session, ‘Turning Passion to Profits: Monetizing Games’, this will provide valuable insights on how to turn a game development hobby into a profitable business. The session will feature an expert in game development who will offer guidance on monetization strategies, from choosing the right business model to developing effective marketing plans. Attendees can expect to leave the session with practical advice and tools for successfully monetizing their games.
Additionally, MiSK will present Game Jam from August 10-12, a competitive 48-hour event for game creators. Participants, including designers, artists, developers, and enthusiasts, will collaborate and compete to create games. Beyond networking and learning opportunities, Game Jam also offers prizes – including SAR50,000 for the winning games.
Links for further information on each of the talks and Game Jam are available here:
Gamers8: The Land of Heroes recap
Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation, eight-week long Gamers8: The Land of Heroes has a prize pool of $45 million – triple that of Gamers8 last year. The biggest gaming and esports festival worldwide features 16 elite esports tournaments from 13 top titles, as well as community gaming and educational platforms. These are complemented by live concerts from top global, regional, and local artists, as well as numerous fun-filled activities and attractions for all the family.
The festival concludes with the Next World Forum, a gaming and esports forum held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Center on August 30-31, that brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world.
Further details, including ticket sales, are available on the event website.
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