NEOM, the sustainable regional development project under construction in northwest Saudi Arabia, has announced its latest and largest cycle of gaming startup support through its flagship accelerator programme, Level Up. In its most recent edition, five game studios have been selected to receive direct funding, alongside an additional 18 studios participating in an initial mentorship phase. This combined structure makes the current cycle the most extensive since the programme’s inception, reflecting NEOM’s continued focus on building a scalable gaming ecosystem aligned with Saudi Arabia’s broader digital economy ambitions.
Level Up is operated by NEOM Gaming and is recognised as the Kingdom’s longest-running gaming accelerator. It forms a key component of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030, which targets the gaming sector contributing more than SAR 50 billion (USD 13.33 billion) to national GDP by 2030. The accelerator is designed to support early-stage game development studios through funding, structured mentorship, and access to industry networks, helping startups navigate production challenges and prepare for commercial launch in a globalised gaming market.
Following a competitive first phase that provided mentorship to more than 23 studios across multiple development areas, five Saudi game studios were selected to advance into the funded stage of the programme. These studios will receive financial backing to accelerate product development and launch timelines, along with an extended mentorship period totalling 600 hours per studio over seven months. They will also gain access to NEOM’s expanding global Publisher Partner Network, which includes UK-based games publisher Kwalee and Tamatem Games, a leading mobile games publisher in the MENA region. The structure is intended to connect emerging developers with international distribution channels and publishing expertise to support global market entry.
The selected studios include Aiqona Productions, a creative studio combining animation, storytelling, and interactive game design to build immersive experiences; Fourcast Studio, which is developing a social PC multiplayer game with new gameplay mechanics; Makera, a user-generated-content platform enabling communities to design and shape gaming experiences; OFF BOX Studios, an emerging developer focused on innovative and immersive game design; and Phys, a studio focused on high-quality gaming experiences with an emphasis on technology, design, and encouraging movement and exercise among children. Each studio represents different segments of game development, ranging from social multiplayer systems to educational and interactive gaming models.
Toby Evan-Jones, Executive Director and Head of Gaming at NEOM, stated that the Level Up Accelerator has played a significant role over the past three years in supporting the first generation of Saudi game developers through pre-seed funding and structured mentorship. He noted that the latest cycle builds on this foundation and reflects NEOM’s commitment to empowering studios that bring new creative and technical perspectives to the Kingdom’s gaming ecosystem. He also highlighted the programme’s role in advancing the National Gaming and Esports Strategy and supporting the creation of globally competitive gaming businesses as part of Vision 2030.
Sultan Alobaishi from Ministry of Communications and Information Technology described the Level Up Accelerator as a key pillar of Saudi Arabia’s gaming ecosystem, emphasising its role in equipping startups with tools, mentorship, and international exposure. He noted that since 2023, the programme has become a structured progression pathway for teams graduating from MCIT incubation initiatives, helping convert early-stage ideas into commercially viable studios. Previous cycles have already demonstrated measurable outcomes, including the creation of more than 170 jobs and a 100% portfolio survivability rate, alongside notable successes such as Fahy Studio securing the first international publishing deal for a Saudi startup game developer with Kwalee and receiving USD 1.75 million in investment from Impact46 and Merak Capital, while Starvania Studio and Majestic Mind Games each received recognition as Best Games Startup at consecutive MENA Games Industry Awards in 2024 and 2025.
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