A new game developer, Sanddrifter Studio, has officially launched in Abu Dhabi, marking a fresh entry into the mobile games market. The studio is currently developing its first title, Sijen: Chaos Board, for mobile devices, with plans to expand to PC and console platforms as the company grows. Sanddrifter positions itself as a lean hybrid studio, combining local creative leadership with a distributed global development team.
The studio’s hybrid model allows creative direction and strategic oversight to remain centralized in Abu Dhabi, while remote developers provide technical expertise and access to international talent. According to founder and general manager Rashed Alfahim, this structure supports flexibility while maintaining a consistent creative vision.
A Different Approach to Game Design
Sanddrifter was founded in response to modern games increasingly feeling overwhelming rather than enjoyable. The studio emphasizes creating games that respect players’ time while encouraging curiosity-driven engagement. Alfahim explained that the studio focuses on integrating culture and shared values into gameplay through meaningful mechanics and narrative design rather than surface-level representation.
“Our approach is to integrate culture through authentic feeling and shared values, not checklist representation,” Alfahim told PocketGamer.biz. “That means designing around principles like meaningful connection, hospitality as a game mechanic, or narratives focused on exchange and understanding.” He added that the studio’s goal is to build deliberate games that provide a lasting impression without relying on long, bloated playtimes.
Sijen: Chaos Board and Future Plans
Sanddrifter’s first project, Sijen: Chaos Board, is in active development for mobile. While details about gameplay remain limited, the studio emphasizes that the title will focus on intentional design and player engagement rather than repetitive systems or grind-heavy mechanics. By starting on mobile, Sanddrifter can refine its design philosophy before expanding to larger platforms such as PC and consoles.
The company plans a staged growth strategy that keeps teams small and focused, aiming to balance creative control with scalability. As the studio develops, it intends to release updates and further details on how Sijen: Chaos Board will translate its philosophy into gameplay.
Abu Dhabi as a Growing Game Hub
Sanddrifter joins a growing number of studios establishing operations in Abu Dhabi, which has been investing heavily in creative and digital industries. The city provides a supportive environment for hybrid and independent studios, allowing teams to combine local leadership with remote global collaboration.
The studio also emphasizes cultural integration in game development, focusing on authentic emotional resonance rather than superficial representation. This approach aligns with Sanddrifter’s stated goal of creating games that feel purposeful, focused, and rewarding for players.
Looking Ahead
Sanddrifter Studio’s long-term vision centers on building games that are meaningful without demanding excessive time commitments. Alfahim emphasized that a small, focused team can deliver depth and lasting impact, challenging the notion that large-scale production is necessary for engaging experiences. The studio’s focus on mobile development, combined with plans for PC and console, reflects a measured growth strategy designed to maintain quality and intention at every stage.
Source: Pocket Gamer
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Sanddrifter Studio?
Sanddrifter Studio is a new game developer based in Abu Dhabi, focused on creating deliberate and player-conscious games.
What is the first game from Sanddrifter Studio?
The studio’s debut title is Sijen: Chaos Board, currently in development for mobile devices, with plans for future PC and console releases.
Who leads Sanddrifter Studio?
Founder and general manager Rashed Alfahim leads the studio, overseeing creative direction and strategic planning.
What makes Sanddrifter’s approach to game design different?
The studio emphasizes authentic cultural integration, emotional resonance, and gameplay that respects players’ time, avoiding unnecessarily long or repetitive systems.
Is Sanddrifter Studio working with a global team?
Yes, while the core leadership is based in Abu Dhabi, the studio operates as a hybrid team with remote developers contributing technical expertise and global experience.
Does Sanddrifter plan to develop for platforms beyond mobile?
Yes, the studio has stated plans to expand its projects to PC and console platforms as development progresses.
Does Sanddrifter Studio involve web3 technologies?
Currently, Sanddrifter Studio has not announced any integration of web3 features in its games.
