Gaming And Technology Leaders Explore Future Of Esports At Riyadh's NGSC 2025 Conference

The New Global Sport Conference (NGSC 2025) is underway in Riyadh, organised by the Esports World Cup Foundation. This event coincides with the end of the Esports World Cup. Attendees are delving into gaming, esports, and sports advancements through sessions on investment, technology, tourism, intellectual property, and talent empowerment. These discussions underscore Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in this sector.

In the opening session, the impact of Saudi Vision 2030 on positioning the Kingdom as a global esports hub was discussed. Following this, Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, highlighted the company's legacy and noted Saudi Arabia's appeal for investment and creativity. The conference also featured insights from leaders of major companies like Electronic Arts, Krafton, Ubisoft, and Tencent.

Monica Dinsmore, Head of Esports at Electronic Arts, highlighted Saudi Arabia's importance as an international gaming hub. She emphasised its environment conducive to investment. Rawan AlButairi, CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), mentioned that audiences are now active participants in esports. The federation actively promotes this engagement.

Jumana Haj Ahmad from UNICEF Gulf Area Office stated that partnerships with international institutions enhance the gaming industry's social impact. Ralf Reichert, CEO of Esports World Cup Foundation, discussed national identity as soft power. He pointed out that Saudi Arabia serves as a model for other nations.

The day concluded with discussions on intellectual property. Dan Clancy, CEO of Twitch, stressed its strategic importance in competition. Shuji Utsumi from SEGA emphasised protecting innovation for sustainability. These discussions highlighted the need to safeguard creative advancements within the industry.

The conference provided a platform for exploring various aspects of gaming and esports development. It showcased how Saudi Arabia is becoming a significant player in these fields through strategic investments and partnerships.

With inputs from SPA