ReportShorooq Partners
Gaming Industry Report: Global & MENAP Outlook Q4 2023
1 Dec 202330 pages~28 min full read
Investment activity in the gaming sector is currently targeting early-stage ventures from pre-seed to Series A, with typical ticket sizes ranging from $1 million to $8 million.
Strategic investment is focused on three core pillars: high-value intellectual property, software solutions that reduce development costs, and ecosystems centered on user-generated content.
The industry is experiencing a rapid convergence of emerging technologies, including AI, VR, cloud gaming, quantum computing, and GPU-as-a-Service, to accelerate content creation and distribution.
The MENAP region is a primary focus for growth, with key industry engagement scheduled for the World Gaming Conference in Abu Dhabi on February 15–16 and LEAP 2024 in Riyadh on March 4–7.
Market growth is being driven by a combination of technological innovation and a robust pipeline of investable startups across both established and emerging global markets.
The analysis presents a forward‑looking assessment of the global gaming market with a particular focus on the MENAP region, outlining the strategic opportunities that are reshaping the industry in 2024 and beyond. Central to the outlook is the rapid convergence of emerging technologies—virtual reality, artificial intelligence, mobile platforms, quantum computing, GPU‑as‑a‑Service, and cloud gaming—which together are accelerating content creation, distribution, and consumption across diverse consumer bases.
Investment activity is framed around a thesis that prioritises three core pillars: high‑value content and intellectual property, software efficiency solutions that lower development costs, and user‑generated‑content ecosystems that drive engagement and monetisation. Funding targets range from pre‑seed to Series A rounds, with typical ticket sizes of $1 million to $8 million, reflecting confidence in early‑stage ventures that can capitalize on the identified technology trends. The outreach strategy includes participation in high‑profile events such as the World Gaming Conference in Abu Dhabi (15‑16 February) and LEAP 2024 in Riyadh (4‑7 March), complemented by a dedicated “Gaming Investor” newsletter, a GameON podcast, and sponsorship opportunities for research partners.
Overall, the findings underscore a vibrant growth trajectory for gaming in both established and emerging markets, driven by technological innovation and a robust pipeline of investable startups. Stakeholders are encouraged to engage through subscription services, collaborative research, and direct investment to capture value in this rapidly evolving sector.
