Saudi Game Champions

Our Programs

Incubator

Accelerator

Registration Closed

Riyadh- The Garage

June 2024- July 2025

9:00am-5:00pm

About the program

The Saudi Game Champions Program is a GameJam, video game incubator and accelerator program targeting game entrepreneurs brought to you by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and its strategic partner Monsha’at.

Join us in a journey that starts with a game idea and ends with the launch of your own game studio.

It begins with a GameJam event where entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to showcase their skills, collaborate with other talented individuals, and gain valuable feedback on their game idea. After the GameJam, the top 100 entrepreneurs out of 200 participants qualify for the incubation program.

The incubation program will provide entrepreneurs with the necessary resources and guidance to turn their game idea into a reality. Throughout the incubation period, the expertise of industry professionals and mentors refine entrepreneurs game concept, improve the gameplay experience, and receive guidance on market trends. At the end of the incubation program, entrepreneurs present 20 MVPs to experts from the gaming industry.

Top 15 teams that have graduated from the incubation program will have the opportunity to continue in the accelerator program, which will enable them to successfully launch their game in the market. All teams will receive continuous mentorship and guidance throughout the program from 32 gaming experts.

Become the Kingdom’s next games success story?

The Program

GameJam

A three-day competition brings together top gaming industry professionals, allowing gaming entrepreneurs to challenge themselves in a cooperative and competitive environment. This event serves as an opportunity to develop games and foster innovation in the gaming industry

Three Days

The Garage, Riyadh

Incubator

Gaming incubator is specialized programs that provide tailored support, guidance, and resources to gaming entrepreneurs during their early stages of development. The incubator fosters a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs can network, learn, and benefit from shared experiences.

Four Months

The Garage, Riyadh

Accelerator

Gaming accelerator program is focus on enhancing various aspects of game development, marketing, and business strategies. The gaming accelerator is being offered for startups that aims to accelerate the launch of games commercially and lasts for five months.

Five Months

The Garage, Riyadh

The Incubator

Bootcamp

Incubation starts with a high energy introductory bootcamp where all participants get to pitch their game ideas and form teams.

Game Concept Stage

The teams will flesh out their game ideas into final concepts with the support of training and mentorship.

Game Design Stage

The teams will refine their game concepts into full-fledged game designs while receiving advice from international game designers.

Prototype Stage

The teams start building game prototypes and learning from successful developers, artists and game designers.

Demo Stage

Prototypes progress into demos in the final stage of incubation where the teams have access to even more mentors.

Demo Day

The teams will pitch and showcase their game to progress to the acceleration stage.

The Accelerator

Strategy & Operations

Acceleration will start with focus on business planning and operations. The teams will do pitching practice on a weekly basis

Technology & Production

The accelerated teams will turn their focus to defining technologies and processes needed their business to succeed

Go-To Market

In the last month the teams will focus on go-to market, setting marketing strategies, plans & targets, and pitching to publishers & investors

Market study

Studying the video game market and identifying the protentional opportunities

Funding mechanisms for startups in the video games sector

The difference between direct and indirect financing and between investment funds and publishing companies

Data analysis of mobile games and console

Analyzing user activity and game results

Criteria of Acceptance

Have previous experience of target track

Must attend all three days of the GameJam, from start to finish, to fully participate in the game jam.

Above 18 years old

Own Laptop with the necessary software and tools installed on their devices for game development, such as game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and design software (e.g., Photoshop, Blender).

Speak English fluent

Fully dedicate to participate in the program

Benefit of the Program

Mentor Program

32 mentors from the global game industry provide guidance and feedback to the entrepreneurs.

Technical and Business Training

Training across all facets of game development and business.

Strategy Direction

The teams are coached to become a studio and make strategic choices around their games.

Playtest Days

The teams get the opportunity to test their game prototypes on real audiences.

Pitching

Teams get to develop their pitching skills as an entrepreneur to attract publishers and investors.

Funding or investment Opportunities

Top six teams will have the opportunities of investment or publishing their games during the accelerator.

Monthly Allowance

Minimum of 7,000 SAR and up to 13,500 SAR monthly allowance per team member during the accelerator phase of 5 months and will last for 7 months after the acceleration to cover 12 months in total (only for Saudi Citizens)

Grants

Up to 150,000 SAR as a grant for each startup at the incubation to develop MVP (must to create a company CR in KSA)

Game Studio Roles

Game Programmer

Game Programmers develop the game using game engines and coding to build the game from prototype to finished product, as well as developing the tools that will be used in the process. Their job is to make sure the game is playable, and functions properly as intended.

Game Artist

Game Artists create the game’s visual direction and ensure that all visual elements from the user interface to environments, characters, visual effects and animation follow the vision set out in the game design. They are responsible for the game’s look and feel.

Game Designer

Game Designers bring game concepts to life through iteration by creating and balancing game mechanics, game loops and game systems. Their job is to make the game engaging and fun and to communicate the game design to artists and programmers.

Game Marketeer

The marketer’s main responsible is to maximize reach of the game to the target audience. Marketing considerations influence the game project at all stages from concept to launch and beyond. Marketers define the target market and prepare and execute marketing plans.

754

Hours of Mentoring and training

Experts and Mentors

MVP

200

Entrepreneurs

Timeline

20/5/2024 -11/7/2024

GameJam Registration

17/7/2024

Notify Entrepreneurs accepted into GameJam

27/7/2024

End of Incubator registration

25/7/2024 - 27/7/2024

GameJam

The Garage, Riyadh

11/8/2024

Notify Entrepreneurs accepted into Gaming Incubation

18/8/2024 - 19/12/2024

Gaming Incubation

The Garage, Riyadh

19/12/2024

Demo Day for Incubator

23/12/2024

Notify Entrepreneurs for Gaming Accelerator

29/12/2024 - 12/6/2025

Gaming Accelerator

The Garage, Riyadh

12/6/2025

Demo Day for Accelerator

FAQs

The last day to register for GameJam is July 11th, 2024, and for incubator July 27th, 2024

The applicant should be in one of the target tracks (Game designer, programmer, artist, marketing or entrepreneurship)

The program starts July 25th, 2024 starting with GameJam

The incubation starts August 18th, 2024 for four months

The accelerator starts December 29th, 2024 for five months

200 Entrepreneurs will be accepted into the GameJam, and top 100 Entrepreneurs will be selected to enter incubation to create 20 teams. Top 15 teams of incubation will enter the accelerator.

No. The program requires physical presence at the program premises in Riyadh City throughout the duration of the program: the 3 days of GameJam start July 25th, 2024 the four months incubation starting in August 18th, 2024, and the five months acceleration for selected start-ups starting in December 29th, 2024

Zero. There are no fees for participation, however the participants must demonstrate commitment to participate throughout the program.

Participant selection will involve application review followed by applicant interviews if needed. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a committee including MCIT and a panel of experts drawn from our pool of mentors. After you submit your application, look out for interview requests sent via email

Email will be the primary method of communication. Make sure you enter your primary (most used) email correctly and check it regularly. Acceptance emails will be sent no later than June 10th

Zero. There are no fees for participation, however the participants must demonstrate commitment to participate throughout the program.

Yes. You can specify in the application form if you have a team, but make sure all your team members apply and can commit to attend in Riyadh for the entire program duration.

Yes, but you would need to relocate to the city since the program is in-person

Yes.

No, you must attend the GameJam