AI-driven LiveOps and mobile dominance at Global Games Show Riyadh 2026

The Global Games Show Riyadh, held on 29–30 June, closed with more than 15,000 registrations and 6,723 on-site attendees, spotlighting AI-driven LiveOps, cloud gaming, AR/VR and a clear pivot toward mobile as the dominant platform for esports and interactive entertainment. The two-day B2B summit featured 100+ global speakers, 100 exhibitors and drew a 70% CXO-level delegation from over 80 countries. Organised by VAP Group and powered by Times Of Games, the event also marked the launch of VAP Ventures, a strategic initiative to back 100 startups by 2030.

“The future of gaming will be defined by immersive experiences, meaningful communities and the incredible talent building them,” said Charity Joy, CEO of Mirai. “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!”

Event highlights and technology focus

Keynotes and panel sessions emphasised how backend innovations — notably automated AI game design and LiveOps powered by machine learning — are reshaping development pipelines and player engagement. Johnson Yeh, Founder & CEO of Ambrus Studio, opened the show with a keynote on immersive gaming and the shifting relationship between players and platforms. Virginia Villar Arribas, Director of the Private Sector Partnerships Service at the UN World Food Programme, discussed gaming’s potential for social impact, from education to humanitarian awareness.

• Scale and reach: 15,000+ registrations; 6,723 attendees; 100+ speakers; 100 exhibitors; delegation from 80+ countries, 70% CXO-level.
• New initiative: VAP Ventures — to back 100 startups by 2030, announced by VAP Group during the event.
• Mobile momentum: discussions highlighted mobile as an economic engine for gaming and esports, lowering barriers to entry compared with consoles and high-end PCs.
• Representative voices: speakers included Nayef BinHumaid (Chairman, Saudi Baseball and Softball Federation), Nadeem Bakhsh (CEO, webook.com), Hassan Yusuf (Head of Partnerships, Real Madrid Foundation – Education Football Program), Kanessa Muluneh (CEO, Rise of Fearless), and Yasmina Kazitani (President, Blockchain Game Alliance).
• Notable exhibitors: ClubMOS Technologies LLC, Cropr Digital Limited, Plotdex, JPYR, Arkonix, TorusChain Association, Smartflow, The Loopcraft, EGS Setup, Master the Art of Gaming, Venn Studio.

Context: mobile esports and digital ownership

Panels examined how mobile-first titles such as PUBG and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang have transformed competitive structures, proving that expensive hardware is no longer a prerequisite for large-scale esports. Speakers also explored decentralized architectures and digital ownership models — arguing that blockchain and Web3 tools can create new monetisation paths and deeper community engagement through player ownership of in-game assets.

Vishal Parmar, Founder & CEO of VAP Group, framed the summit as a starting point for cross-sector collaboration: “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.”

Outlook

Organisers and participants said the show set the groundwork for forthcoming conversations at the Global Games Show 2026 Abu Dhabi, with momentum around AI-powered LiveOps, mobile esports, and startup investment likely to shape agendas across the region. The combination of commercial interest, new venture commitments and an emphasis on accessible competitive gaming suggests Riyadh’s gathering will influence product roadmaps and funding decisions through 2030.