Savvy Games Group and NMBRS Forge New Partnership Agreement

Savvy Games Group recently announced a new partnership with Stockholm-based visual effects and cinematic production company NMBRS, focusing on both esports and game development.

This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to enhance the technical and creative landscape of gaming and esports in Saudi Arabia. The agreement was formalized during the D.I.C.E. video game industry conference in Las Vegas. The initial phase of this collaboration involves Savvy assisting NMBRS in establishing a strong foothold in Riyadh.

NMBRS is recognized for its work on game trailers, cinematics, visual narratives, and real-time 3D content for prominent gaming and esports brands. Their portfolio includes high-profile titles like Battlefield, Valorant, Dune, and Call of Duty, as well as major global esports events such as the Esports World Cup and League of Legends Worlds.

“NMBRS brings a high level of creative capability, and their expansion into Saudi Arabia reflects the continued momentum of the market,” stated Dr. Nika Nour, SVP and head of international business development at Savvy Games Group. “As we establish operations together in the Kingdom, we are strengthening the ecosystem and opening new opportunities for emerging talent.”

Looking forward, Savvy and NMBRS plan to collaborate on original intellectual properties aimed at the Saudi consumer market, while also nurturing local talent through training and project collaboration. This MoU is part of Savvy’s broader strategy to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which seeks to diversify the economy beyond traditional revenue sources like oil and gas.

Savvy is a subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and oversees a portfolio that includes SNK Corporation, ESL FACEIT Group, Scopely, and soon, Electronic Arts. The company also manages the PIF’s investments in the gaming sector, which includes stakes in Ubisoft, Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, and others.

However, projects funded by the Saudi government often face scrutiny, with accusations of being used for “sports washing” to distract from the country’s human rights record, including issues related to women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the treatment of journalists, as highlighted by international watchdog organizations.