Middle East and Africa Game Engine Market

Market Overview

The Middle East and Africa game engine market size witnessed significant growth in the past and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.73% during the forecast period (2022-2030).

Highlights

• 3D Game Engines dominate the market by type.
• PC and Console Games dominate the market by application.
• Saudi Arabia dominated the market by region.

A game engine is an essential piece of software or a collection of software tools that facilitate the creation and advancement of video games across multiple platforms. It allows developers to incorporate graphics, physics, audio, and input features into their games. Typically, game engines are accompanied by dedicated development tools that enable users to modify script files for game levels within an open environment.

The game engine market in the Middle East has witnessed consistent growth, driven by factors such as the absence of government restrictions on video game production, a thriving startup culture, and the emergence of innovative game companies. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has actively promoted local talent and investment in the gaming industry. The region's diverse spending patterns and the availability of a skilled workforce reflect the country's commitment to adopting advanced technologies in the creative sector. In August 2020, OPPO, a global smartphone brand, partnered with Dubai Summer Surprises to host a gaming event aimed at the youth. This collaboration provided OPPO users access to a specially designed gaming arena at the Mall of the Emirates, ensuring a socially distant gaming experience.

Market Dynamics

Middle East and Africa Game Engine Market Drivers

Breakthroughs in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Development

In the Middle East and Africa, the growth of the game engine market is driven by the expanding presence of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. These groundbreaking innovations are revolutionizing the entertainment industry, particularly in movies and games. As technological advancements continue, there is a growing need for game engines with advanced functionalities and real-time capabilities to meet the demand for realistic effects. While augmented reality in gaming is a relatively recent concept, it is gaining momentum quickly, allowing developers to create games that seamlessly blend with the real world and offer gamers unique interactive experiences.

Middle East and Africa Game Engine Market Restraints

Pricey Game Engine Software

The game development industry is experiencing rapid growth; however, it faces challenges related to the cost of game development, including expensive engine software and hardware requirements. Game engines are often expensive, and running them requires powerful computers or consoles. This financial barrier creates complexity for individual developers and necessitates significant funding to effectively bring their ideas and projects to fruition.

Moreover, the industry faces fierce competition and the constantly evolving preferences of customers, making it challenging to achieve successful sales. As a result, software providers may allocate fewer resources to research and development, making the gaming market less attractive for new businesses seeking to enter the industry.

Middle East and Africa Game Engine Market Opportunity

Enhanced Connectivity Infrastructure with Improved Broadband and Wi-Fi

The game engine market is poised for continuous growth, propelled by the increasing accessibility of high-speed internet connections and advancements in Internet of Things (IoT) technology. More people spend their leisure time on smartphones or computers instead of traditional television, leading to a growing user base dedicated to gaming. The wireless telecommunications sector has made significant technological advancements, improving network availability and performance. Mobile broadband networks and Wi-Fi technology have evolved rapidly, enabling seamless connectivity across hardware consoles and local networks. These advancements have also enhanced online multiplayer gaming through dedicated servers and online storage. Additionally, cloud gaming has gained substantial recognition within the gaming industry, further contributing to its expansion.

Regional Analysis

The game engine market is segmented by country: Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., Egypt, South Africa, the Rest of the Middle East and Africa. Saudi Arabia dominated the market with a CAGR of 13.82% during the forecast period.

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region has shown promising growth in the game engine market. The region's increasing adoption of gaming and technological advancements have contributed to market expansion. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa have emerged as key players, driven by a growing gaming community and favorable economic conditions. The MEA region presents significant opportunities for game engine providers to cater to the evolving gaming landscape.

Segmental Analysis

The Middle East and Africa game engine market is segmented into types and applications.

By type, it is further segmented into 3D game engines, 2.5 game engines, and 2D game engines.

3D game engines dominated the market and are expected to register a CAGR of 13.98% over the forecast period.

It is further segmented by application into PC and console games, mobile games, and TV games.

PC and console games dominated the market and are expected to register a CAGR of 13.76% over the forecast period.

Recent Developments

• October 2021 – Unity Technologies launched a new platform, Unity Gaming Services that unifies the company’s existing Operate Solutions for games and introduces new tools and services.
• August 2021 – Unity Technologies announced the acquisition of Parsec, a remote desktop and streaming technology company that allows gaming and creative professionals to work together from anywhere.
• March 2021 – Epic Games announced that it is developing a PC Building simulator two this year. This is the sequel to the PC building simulator.