Side signs deal with Savvy Games Group to open Riyadh office
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Games services firm Side has penned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Savvy Games Group to expand into Saudi Arabia and establish a presence in the Middle East.
The move will see Side open a physical office in Riyadh by Q4 2025, which will focus on providing co-dev services tailored for MENA-based developers and connect them to Side’s global studio network.
Side plans to not only support Savvy’s initiatives but also launch its own training programs in Saudi Arabia, aiming to equip local men and women with the skills needed to support its services.
The company intends to offer opportunities for those with little or no prior experience in games, helping them enter the industry and build careers with Side.
The MoU supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals by aiming to diversify the economy and establish the Kingdom as a global games hub.
Long-term goals
We spoke with Savvy Games Group SVP and head of global business development Nika Nour alongside Side London studio head and VP of EMEA Jacob Madsen to discuss the MoU and learn more about their plans for a new Middle East office.
“In terms of what’s in it for Savvy, it’s not about what’s in it for Savvy, it’s about what’s going to actually create growth, jobs, and economic prosperity in the global games market in Saudi Arabia,” Nour told PocketGamer.biz.
“And by partnering with experts like Side who have the experience at opening studios all over the world, we really think that these experts can help bolster and encourage game development by unlocking new IP, creating content, and helping the next generation of Saudis actually develop for the long-term.”
Jacob Madsen commented: “I think it’s a great opportunity for Savvy and Side to partner, but I also think it’s a great opportunity for the men and women of Saudi Arabia.
“To have an extremely experienced company like Side come into that region and to offer all the services that they have there and to really try and help work with the local population there to train them and to get them involved in the games industry.”
Madsen said the MoU is for a 12-month period in which actions to expand into the Middle East could take place. However, he said he “doesn’t really see that as a timeline.
“For me it’s a long-term commitment. We’re looking to open up a studio in Q4 of 2025, and the MoU is just the first step of what we’re doing; there’s really no timeline or deadline for us to do anything.”
Nour added that Savvy aims to act immediately to ensure Side gets the necessary licences and office space in Riyadh.
”For us it’s about not just about putting quick wins on the board but getting Side situated sooner rather than later,” she said.
Nour continued: “The purpose of the MoU isn’t just to sign an MoU, it’s about forging those strategic relationships and bonds and holding each other to it and becoming great friends and saying that publicly, making sure that people are aware of what we’re doing transparently to grow the global games market and support the Saudi gaming ecosystem.”
Learn more about the MENA games industry at Pocket Gamer Connects Aqaba 2025 on November 8th and 9th.
