Savvy Games Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alfaisal University to launch a new game design program in Saudi Arabia, aimed at preparing students for careers in the country’s growing games industry. The initiative brings together academic instruction and industry experience, with the first intake of students scheduled to begin in the 2026 academic year.
The partnership reflects a wider effort to expand professional pathways in game development across the Kingdom. By combining university-level teaching with direct input from a major games and esports organization, the program is intended to bridge the gap between classroom learning and studio production environments.
Blending Academic Study With Industry Practice
The program will be jointly delivered by Alfaisal University and Savvy Academy. Alfaisal University will oversee the academic framework, while Savvy Academy will contribute industry-focused training designed around real-world development workflows. This structure is meant to expose students to both theoretical foundations and practical skills used in modern game studios.
As part of the agreement, Alfaisal University will upgrade its training facilities and labs to support hands-on learning. These spaces are expected to cover core areas of game design and development, including production pipelines, interactive systems, and technologies tied to online and web3-enabled gaming environments. The goal is to ensure students gain experience with tools and processes that reflect current industry standards.
Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Growing Games Ecosystem
Savvy Games Group said the initiative is focused on supporting local talent entering the Kingdom’s expanding games ecosystem. The program builds on Savvy’s existing collaborations with universities across Saudi Arabia and aligns with national objectives to strengthen the domestic workforce for games and esports.
Majed Al-Muhanna, chief human resources officer at Savvy Games Group, stated that the partnership helps create educational pathways that allow students to progress from academic study into professional roles in game development. He added that the effort supports the National Gaming and Esports Strategy and Vision 2030’s aim to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for games.
Preparing Students for Emerging Careers
From Alfaisal University’s perspective, the agreement is part of a broader push to prepare students for careers in new and emerging industries. HRH Maha Bint Mishari Bin Abdulaziz AlSaud, vice president of external relations and advancement at Alfaisal University, said the collaboration will give students direct support from a global company in games and esports, alongside access to practical experience tied to the sector’s needs.
By combining academic leadership, upgraded infrastructure, and industry input, the new game design program is expected to play a role in shaping the next generation of Saudi game developers. With the first cohort launching in 2026, the partnership represents another step in formalizing gaming education as part of Saudi Arabia’s long-term economic and creative development plans.
Source: PocketGamer
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Savvy Games Group and Alfaisal University partnership?
It is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a new game design program in Saudi Arabia that combines academic teaching from Alfaisal University with industry training from Savvy Academy.
When will the game design program start?
The first cohort of students is scheduled to begin in the 2026 academic year.
Who will deliver the program?
The program will be jointly delivered by Alfaisal University, which leads the academic side, and Savvy Academy, which provides industry-focused training.
What will students learn in the program?
Students will study game design and development through a mix of theory and hands-on practice, using upgraded labs and facilities that reflect modern studio workflows, including elements connected to web3 gaming technologies.
How does this support Saudi Arabia’s games industry?
The program is designed to develop local talent for the Kingdom’s growing games ecosystem and supports the National Gaming and Esports Strategy and Vision 2030 goals to make Saudi Arabia a global hub for games and esports.
