Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh cemented its status as a major global sandbox for interactive media as the Global Games Show Riyadh concluded its two-day B2B run on 29-30 June 2026.
Shifting attention away from traditional console lifecycles, the event leaned heavily into the technologies transforming the back end of game development, including cloud gaming, AR/VR, and automated AI game design. It also spotlighted an increasingly dominant platform in the modern gaming economy: the mobile phone.
Defying the challenges of the prevailing geopolitical landscape, the event, organized by VAP Group and powered by Times of Games, emerged as a resounding success. Co-located with the Global AI Show Riyadh and the Global Blockchain Show Riyadh, the two-day summit attracted 15,000+ registrations, welcomed 6,723 attendees, featured 100+ global speakers and 100 exhibitors, and convened a 70% CXO-level delegation from 80+ countries.
Bringing together game developers, publishers, Web3 gaming pioneers, esports leaders, investors, content creators, technology providers, and policymakers, the event showcased how gaming is evolving into a multi-billion-dollar global ecosystem at the intersection of artificial intelligence, blockchain, immersive technologies, digital ownership, and entertainment.
The event also featured the launch of VAP Ventures, VAP Group's strategic initiative to back 100 startups by 2030 and accelerate the next chapter of the global innovation ecosystem.
The Global Intersection of Gaming and Digital Entertainment
The Global Games Show opened with a keynote by Johnson Yeh, Founder & CEO of Ambrus Studio, who explored the future of immersive gaming and how emerging technologies are redefining player experiences beyond traditional screens.
It also featured a keynote from Virginia Villar Arribas, Director of the Private Sector Partnerships Service at the UN World Food Programme, who demonstrated how gaming and play can create social impact by driving global awareness, education, and humanitarian engagement.
The event attracted studios, publishers, Web3 gaming companies, esports leaders, investors, technology providers, and gaming communities from around the world. Discussions made clear that gaming and digital entertainment have evolved rapidly, and that mobile-centric ecosystems now represent a major economic engine for the industry.
In that context, Charity Joy, CEO of Mirai, said, "The future of gaming will be defined by immersive experiences, meaningful communities and the incredible talent building them. What excites us most about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the ambition, creativity and passion of its young developers. They aren't just participating in the future of gaming, they're helping create it!"
Mobile gaming also reshaped the competitive landscape, with discussions emphasizing that expensive PCs and consoles are no longer a prerequisite for entering esports. Games like PUBG and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang helped kickstart this shift, and more titles are following suit around the world.
Visionaries in Gaming
Over the course of the event, gaming and esports leaders explored the themes that are shaping the next generation of the industry.
- Johnson Yeh - Founder & CEO, Ambrus Studio
- Nayef BinHumaid - Chairman of the Board, Saudi Baseball and Softball Federation
- Nadeem Bakhsh - Chief Executive Officer, webook.com
- Virginia Villar Arribas - Director, Private Sector Partnerships Service, UN World Food Programme (WFP)
- Hassan Yusuf - Head of Partnerships, Real Madrid Foundation - Education Football Program powered by Riyadh Schools
- Kanessa Muluneh - Chief Executive Officer, Rise of Fearless
- Yasmina Kazitani - President, Blockchain Game Alliance
Notable exhibitors included ClubMOS Technologies LLC, Cropr Digital Limited, Plotdex, JPYR, Arkonix, TorusChain Association, Smartflow, The Loopcraft, EGS, Setup Master the Art of Gaming, and Venn Studio.
Mobile Gaming and Digital Ownership
As mobile gaming and digital ownership continue to evolve, their combination is reshaping how digital entertainment is perceived and consumed worldwide. The agenda featured deeper dives into how decentralized architectures enable new forms of player ownership, monetization, and community engagement, rewriting the traditional relationship between developers and their audiences.
Esports pioneers and gaming founders also explored the maturity of the mobile esports ecosystem across MENA, Asia, and LATAM, examining the next generation of tournament structures and revenue-generation models.
"The future of gaming belongs to those who can bring together technology, creativity, and community. Global Games Show is where those conversations begin, and we're excited to see the ideas born in Riyadh evolve into the next generation of global gaming experiences," said Vishal Parmar, Founder & CEO, VAP Group.
Looking Ahead
The conclusion of Global Games Show Riyadh 2026 set the foundation for the next phase of interactive gaming and digital entertainment. The momentum created by attendees, exhibitors, and speakers is expected to help shape the next round of discussions at the upcoming Global Games Show Abu Dhabi.
About Global Games Show
The Global Games Show is a B2B gaming event series dedicated to the next evolution of interactive entertainment. It brings together industry leaders, visionary developers, and investors to map out the future of gaming.
About VAP Group
With 13+ years of expertise, VAP Group is a premier global consulting and media powerhouse driving the next wave of technology-led growth. Through its media ecosystem and flagship events, including the Global AI Show, Global Games Show, and Global Blockchain Show, VAP Group connects policymakers, enterprises, and innovators worldwide, enabling strategic communications, ecosystem-building, and talent solutions.
Media Enquiries: media@globalgamesshow.com