Shorooq Partners

Investment

3 documents

Documents

Gaming Industry Report: Global & MENAP Outlook Q4 2023

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.

market-analysis investment global+1

Shorooq PartnersDec 2023

Report

Gametech Report: Global & MENAP Outlook Q3 2023

This analysis examines the state of the global and MENAP (Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan) gaming sectors during the third quarter of 2023. The primary thesis suggests that while the global industry is undergoing a period of "cautious recalibration" characterized by significant layoffs and a shift toward profitability, the MENAP region remains a resilient growth outlier. The scope covers global investment trends, game engine pricing shifts, and emerging market demographics, with specific deep dives into the Egyptian and Jordanian markets. Key findings indicate that the global gaming market exceeded $250 billion with a 9.9% CAGR, yet Q3 2023 saw over 2,000 industry layoffs driven by M&A activity and a focus on operational efficiency. Despite these global headwinds, the MENA region grew by 6.9% year-over-year, reaching a market size of $5 billion. This growth is fueled by a youthful demographic where 70% of the population is under 30. In Egypt, the largest regional market by population, 60% of top-performing games are casual or hyper-casual, though a significant challenge remains as 40% of gamers are unbanked, necessitating innovation in fintech and alternative payment infrastructures. The investment landscape shows a return to pre-pandemic levels, with $454 million in global venture capital secured in Q3, primarily in early-stage deals. Asia led transaction volume with 39 deals, while Jordan emerged as a regional leader in funding, securing 30% of MENA deals. The report concludes that the future of the industry will be defined by the integration of Generative AI—expected to impact over 50% of the development process within a decade—and a strategic pivot toward emerging markets to offset rising talent costs in Western territories. Methodology relies on data from partners including AppMagic and Konvoy, alongside internal venture capital tracking.

market-analysis investment mena

Shorooq PartnersSept 2023

Financial

Gametech Report: Global & MENAP Outlook Q1 2023

The analysis quantifies the scale and momentum of the worldwide gaming ecosystem while spotlighting the rapid evolution of the MENAP (Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan) mobile‑gaming sector. Globally, the market is valued at roughly $201 billion, expanding 9 percent year‑over‑year, with PC and console platforms together contributing about 40 percent of total revenue. Mobile gaming dominates the growth narrative, as 2021 recorded 232 billion downloads and $168 billion in consumer spending, underscoring its central role in the industry’s expansion. Within MENAP, mobile adoption has entered a maturation phase. In‑app‑purchase revenue reached $374 million in 2023, and advertising expenditures surged, climbing 33 percent to a level that now represents 247 percent of a prior benchmark, indicating a pronounced shift toward ad‑supported monetisation. These figures illustrate both heightened consumer engagement and an increasingly sophisticated revenue mix in the region. The report also introduces SHFT, Shorooq’s advanced gametech platform, which operationalises a partnership‑investment model designed to accelerate studio growth across MENAP. Since launch, SHFT has assembled a network of 27 partner studios that have delivered approximately 150 titles, while its dedicated gametech fund has allocated about $15 million in financing. The platform delivers comprehensive services—including data‑analytics dashboards, reporting tools, capital provision, and market‑entry assistance—aimed at enhancing commercial outcomes for developers in the region. Collectively, these insights affirm the global market’s robust health, the MENAP region’s accelerating mobile‑gaming trajectory, and the strategic value of integrated gametech solutions in fostering sustainable industry development.

market-analysis mena global

Shorooq PartnersMar 2023