#Saudi Esports Federation

[sonsofks]

"Riyadh 2023: La Comunidad Global #worldconnected Hace Historia en los Juegos Globales de Esports"

La expectación por los Global Esports Games (#GEG23) Riyadh 2023 alcanza su punto máximo con la competición estrella lista para cautivar a audiencias del 12 al 16 de diciembre en la dinámica capital de Riyadh, Reino de Arabia Saudita. Un Evento Espectacular que Desata la Adrenalina Organizado por la Saudi Esports Federation, este evento promete una experiencia cargada de adrenalina con títulos…

[enterweek]

한국e스포츠협회, 사우디e스포츠협회와 업무협약 연장

한국e스포츠협회(www.e-sports.or.kr, 회장 김영만, 이하 협회)가 사우디e스포츠협회(Saudi Esports Federation, 회장 파이잘 빈 술탄 알 사우드, 이하 사우디 협회)와 업무협약 체결을 1년 연장했다고 11일(수) 발표했다. 협회는 지난 8월 24일(토), 사우디아라비아 리야드에서 사우디 협회와 만나 양협회간 협약을 1년 더 연장했다. 체결식에는 협회 김영만 회장과 사우디 협회의 파이잘 빈 술탄 알 사우드 회장이 참석하여 상호간 향후 적극적인 협력 의사를 재확인했다. 양 협회는 지난 2022년 9월 ‘게이머스8’(사우디아라비아 리야드)에서 첫 업무협약을 맺은 바 있다. 이를 통해 사우디 내 심판, 지도자 등 e스포츠 전문인력 양성 자문을 시작으로 국가대표팀 운영 체계…

[organicmarketresearch1]

Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market Size, Share, Growth & Forecast 2032

Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market Overview

The Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market is estimated to reach USD 1.57 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 8.54%.

Saudi Arabia’s market for electronic games has grown significantly in recent years, which is indicative of the country’s acceptance of digital entertainment and technological improvements. The demand for electronic games has increased due to the Kingdom’s youthful population and rising disposable income, making it an attractive market for players in the gaming business.

The popularity of gaming has increased across a wide range of demographics thanks to the quick development of smartphones, game consoles, and high-speed internet infrastructure. Saudi Arabia is home to a thriving professional gaming culture, as well as competitions and streaming services. Gaming businesses from around the world have been drawn to this trend, which has resulted in collaborations and strategic investments in the Saudi market.

The Saudi Esports Federation and the holding of major esports competitions are examples of government efforts and events that demonstrate the nation’s dedication to promoting a healthy gaming industry. Furthermore, cooperative efforts between domestic and international game creators have produced gaming material tailored to specific regions and cultures.

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Exploring the Growth Drivers of the Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market

The robust expansion of the electronic games market in Saudi Arabia can be attributed to several important aspects. First off, a large portion of the country’s youth population and its demographic makeup both greatly aid in the market’s growth. Rising disposable incomes and a youthful, tech-savvy consumer base create a significant demand for gaming-related goods and services.

Furthermore, the accessibility and immersive experience of electronic games are improved by the ubiquity and adoption of cutting-edge technologies like cutting-edge gaming consoles and high-speed internet. Due to the widespread use of smartphones and the growing popularity of mobile gaming, gaming is becoming a popular source of entertainment for people of all ages.

Additionally, government initiatives and support are crucial. The dedication to fostering a thriving gaming ecosystem is demonstrated by the founding of the Saudi Esports Federation and the holding of significant gaming events. In addition to raising awareness of esports, these initiatives draw financial support and cooperation from domestic and foreign gaming companies.

What challenges does the Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market face?

Despite its significant expansion, the Saudi Arabian electronic games market is confronted with a number of obstacles that could hinder its future progress. The regulatory environment, which frequently changes and is unpredictable for the industry, is one major obstacle. To provide a stable business environment and promote long-term investments, regulations must be uniform and unambiguous.

Cultural factors can present difficulties because it is necessary to manage certain sensitivities and content restrictions in order to guarantee broad acceptance. It can be challenging for industry stakeholders to strike a balance between cultural conventions and the creative freedom needed for game production.

Piracy still poses a threat to game makers’ and distributors’ bottom lines. For the gaming industry to be profitable and sustainable, strong intellectual property protection and enforcement are crucial anti-piracy tools.

What are the recent developments happening in the Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market?

The Kingdom’s dynamic progress in business is reflected in the latest advancements in the electronic games market in Saudi Arabia. The government’s ongoing support and investments in the gambling industry are one noteworthy trend. The dedication to establishing Saudi Arabia as a major player in the global esports landscape is demonstrated by the creation of the Saudi Esports Federation and the holding of significant international gaming tournaments. This not only improves the nation’s reputation as a centre for digital entertainment but also draws foreign investors and gaming companies.

Regionally and culturally relevant gaming material is being produced as a result of the increasing popularity of collaborations between local and international game developers. This pattern is consistent with the industry’s understanding of how important it is to accommodate regional norms and tastes in order to increase player involvement.

The industry’s influence has increased even more with the rise of gaming influencers and content makers in Saudi Arabia. These influencers are vital to the promotion of games because of their expanding following across multiple platforms, which helps with user acquisition and community growth.

Report Overview

Between 2019 and 2032, the Saudi Arabian electronic games market is expected to increase significantly due to the advancement of technology and the growing desire for interactive digital entertainment. The market is divided into age groups to accommodate a range of educational requirements. Gaming solutions are designed to engage students at all phases of their academic journey, from kindergarten to higher education. This all-encompassing strategy guarantees that the gaming experience corresponds with the students’ cognitive and developmental stages. In addition, the market is subject-specific, with games covering science, mathematics, humanities, the arts, and vocational programs. This wide selection of topics demonstrates the industry’s dedication to offering comprehensive educational opportunities via interactive gaming. One important consideration is the mode of delivery, which includes options for blended learning, synchronous learning, and asynchronous learning. Because of its adaptability to various learning preferences and styles, gaming can be easily incorporated into pedagogical approaches by educators. In the Saudi Arabian electronic games market, subscription-based, pay-per-course, and freemium pricing structures are available. This range of options meets the budgetary needs of educational establishments and opens up gaming solutions to a wider spectrum of students. The market is divided geographically into areas like Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the rest of the United Arab Emirates. By offering customised gaming experiences that appeal to particular audiences, this geographical breakdown takes into account the disparities in educational environments and preferences that exist across the nation. This in-depth study, which explores educational trends, technical subtleties, and regional dynamics, can be helpful to stakeholders in the Saudi Arabian electronic games market. These observations provide insightful advice for managing Saudi Arabia’s ever-changing educational gaming market.

Key Target Audience

Game Developers and Publishers

Government and Regulatory Authorities

Gaming Hardware Manufacturers

Esports Organizations

Technology Providers

Gaming Communities and Influencers

Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market Segmentation:

1. By Gaming Platform

PlayStation

Xbox

PC Gaming

Mobile Gaming

Cloud Gaming

2. By Game Type

Action

Adventure

Sports

Simulation

Strategy

Others

3. By Age Group

Children

Teenagers

Adults

Seniors

4. By Revenue Model

Game Sales

In-App Purchases

Subscriptions

Advertising

5. By Region

Riyadh

Makkah

Madinah

Jeddah

Tabuk

Eastern province

Rest of Saudi Arabia

Key Topics Covered in the Report:

Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market Size (FY’2019-FY’2032)

Overview of Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market

Segmentation of Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market By Gaming Platform (PlayStation, Xbox, PC Gaming, Mobile Gaming, Cloud Gaming)

Segmentation of Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market By Game Type (Action, Adventure, Sports, Simulation, Strategy, Others)

Segmentation of Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market By Age Group (Children, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors)

Segmentation of Saudi Arabia Electronic Games Market By Revenue Model (Game Sales, In-App Purchases, Subscriptions, Advertising)

In case you don’t find what, you are looking for, please get in touch with our custom research team at sales@organicmarketresearch.com or Download Free Sample Report

[thetoxicgamer]

HONOR and Gamers8: The Land of Heroes team up to put the power of mobile gaming on display

The largest international gaming and esports festival, Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, and smartphone brand HONOUR have benefited from the increasing global acclaim for mobile gaming. Over a third of the 8.1 billion people who live on the planet today—an astounding 2.6 billion people—are mobile gamers. As a result, the mobile gaming sector is still expanding. According to forecasts from Market Research Future, its value will have more than doubled by the end of the decade from its current $114.96 billion valuation. In 2030, the market is anticipated to reach $247.07 billion with a 13.60 percent CAGR. It’s impossible to overstate just how big a business mobile gaming is. Figures have revealed that 43 percent of all smartphone users play games and 62 percent of people install a game within their first week of ownership. Around 57.9 percent of those games are puzzle games and further studies show that at least half of mobile gamers are women. Access is a key factor, according to Turki Alfawzan, CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation. “The easier the access to the game, the more exposure and reach you have,” he said. “And the easiest access to games is mobile – which makes sense, your whole life is on your phone. There’s a lot of opportunity for game developers to reach a wider fan base. For some of the genres, I think mobile gaming is the future of gaming.” For proof of mobile gaming’s popularity, you need look no further than the recent six-day PUBG Mobile World Invitational (PMWI) at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, the biggest esports and gaming festival worldwide. Taking place in Riyadh, it saw Vampire Esports from Thailand, who claimed back-to-back victories, collecting $500,000 from a $3 million prize pool. Organized by PUBG Mobile and the Saudi Esports Federation, this battle royale competition was played exclusively on HONOR Magic5 Pro smartphones. HONOR is Gamer8’s main and official smartphone partner for the eight-week duration of the festival. The event, taking place at Boulevard Riydah City, runs until the end of August. According to research firm Sensor Tower, PUBG Mobile (a Tencent game) hit a major milestone, having made over $10 billion in revenue. The PMWI plays a critical role in the event’s roster, which also includes 16 tournaments over 13 different gaming titles. “PUBG Mobile World Invitational is an important part of Gamers8 for a number of reasons,” Alfawzan said. “It’s one of the most popular games around the world and, importantly, it’s a game that has a fan base in Saudi, in the region, and around the world. That’s not the case with all the games. And in addition, the numbers we are doing are exceptional – we finished the All-Stars, and the PMWI, with a record of 200 million people viewing.” Another important factor was having HONOR as the face of the tournament. The company proved invaluable in ensuring that this high-profile tournament ran smoothly. “You need a reliable technical partner to be able to host more than 60 players playing at the same time and they were up for the challenge,” Alfawzan said. “We delivered an amazing and smooth event as a result which reflects the quality we’re always aiming for.” The HONOR Magic5 Pro is well-equipped to deliver an exceptional gaming experience. It has an immersive 6.81-inch LTPO quad-curved floating display, perfect for providing a comfortable gaming experience, even during extended sessions. In part, this is due to the Magic5 Pro’s advanced 2160Hz PWM dimming technology, which reduces screen flickering and fluctuations in brightness. There’s real power at the heart of the HONOR Magic5 Pro, too. It’s powered by the all-new Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, offering exceptional performance and processing speeds, with equally impressive power efficiency. Designed to optimize gaming experiences, the HONOR Magic5 Pro’s GPU Turbo X graphics acceleration technology results in smoother visuals and lag-free gameplay. Gamers also don’t need to worry about their sessions coming to an abrupt end. The HONOR Magic5 Pro boasts a 5100mAh battery, giving players the power to keep going without the need for frequent recharges. HONOR prioritizes delivering cutting-edge technologies, in terms of both software and hardware, to ensure its smartphones offer a truly immersive on-the-go gaming experience. Daniel Wang, president of HONOR Middle East & Africa, knows just how popular mobile gaming has become and said it is “an integral part” of the company’s business model. As a brand, HONOR prides itself on being a human-centric company. It understands not just the widespread and ever-growing appeal of mobile gaming but also its role and importance in gamers’ lives. “The future of smartphones and mobile gaming is set to be dynamic and revolutionary,” Wang said. “With continuous advancements in hardware and graphics capabilities, smartphones will become more powerful, enabling even more immersive and graphically stunning gaming experiences. Rest assured that we will continue developing new technologies to cater to gamers’ needs on HONOR devices.” Having the HONOR Magic5 Pro as the PMWI’s sole gaming device was just as important to HONOR as it was to Gamers8: The Land of Heroes. It marks an important moment in the company’s growth in Saudi Arabia, a place that is passionate about gaming. “With a keen understanding of the Saudi gaming market and the importance of gaming to its people, HONOR remains deeply committed to engaging with users and elevating their experiences,” Wang said. “Recognizing the growing passion for gaming in Saudi Arabia, HONOR focuses on developing and delivering products that cater specifically to the needs and preferences of Saudi gamers. By combining cutting-edge technology with a comprehensive understanding of the local gaming landscape, HONOR aims to provide Saudi gamers with top-tier products and accessories that enhance their gaming journeys.” This will, Wang explains, enable gamers to “fully immerse themselves in the virtual worlds they love.” The viewership figures for the PUBG Mobile World Invitational, coupled with the statistics for mobile gamers in the kingdom and further beyond, prove that this is indeed the case. Read the full article

[heronetworkgg]

Gamers8 presenta su gran evento de esports con premios de 45 millones de dólares y la actuación de bandas como Imagine Dragons

Gamers8 ha dado a conocer emocionantes detalles sobre su próximo gran evento de esports que transformará a Riad, la capital de Arabia Saudí, en el epicentro mundial de los deportes electrónicos este verano. La Saudi Esports Federation ha anunciado que el evento se llevará a cabo del 6 de julio al 30 de agosto, con […]

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[datasportsgroup]

Saudi Arabia Embraces the World of eSports and Gaming.

There is enough evidence that states Saudi Arabia has embraced technology and everything remotely connected to it passionately. The eSports business in the Kingdom has emerged as a result of this transformation, and it has recently demonstrated significant promise. According to Populous, the eSports industry will bring in nearly $1.5 billion in worldwide income in 2023 on a viewership of roughly 646 million, with an estimated increase in investment of more than nine times that amount.

Thus eSports is said to be the growth driver for the Saudi Arabian Gaming and eSports sector by 2030, according to research by YouGov. By 2030, as opposed to 2022, the gaming industry's contribution to Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product would have increased by roughly 50 times. This would be due to its expected 250% growth over the next eight years.

A highly potential market!

Saudi Arabia has a sizable home market. Gaming especially eSports Gaming has developed significantly over the past several years due to the increased accessibility of digital infrastructure and the growing market penetration of mobile phones. About two-thirds of Saudis are under the age of 35.

There are 23.5 million passionate gamers in KSA, or around 67 percent of the population. Saudi Arabia offers a market full of already ardent gamers with great buying power because it is a young, highly developed nation. This helps explain why Saudi Arabia is the world's 19th-largest gaming market.

The Saudi Arabian Digital Content Council and its Ignite initiative have completely transformed the esports and gaming industries in the Kingdom as well. Globally, the gaming industry has grown significantly thanks to modern technology, which has made it possible to expand customer reach and create new games in response to demand.

According to a recent analysis by the Boston Consulting Group, gaming spending in Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Arab world, is expected to reach $6.8 billion by 2030 and rise at a compound annual rate of 22% through that year.

The governor of Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission, Mohammed Saud Al-Tamimi, indicated that a sizable portion of the Saudi populace is avid gamers. Video, music, digital advertising, and gaming in Saudi Arabia are the main topics of the Ignite programme. The country has even authorized a $100 million fund for several business owners and developers through Ignite.

The National Gaming and eSports Strategy, which Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman presented in September, outlines a comprehensive investment programme for the sector with the ultimate objective of making the country a worldwide gaming hub by 2030. Even the Saudi E-sports Federation was established by Riyadh to promote the growth of the sector.

In order to support this expanding industry, KSA has also increased its internet services. In terms of broadband and mobile internet speed, Saudi Arabia ranks seventh among all nations. As gamers need high-speed mobile networks with enhanced and improved latency, it would further spur the growth of the economy ahead.

Why the sudden traction in the Middle East?

Mohammed bin Salman instructed the General Sports Authority of the kingdom to establish a fund to support sports activities in the nation in November 2016, which is when Saudi Arabia first made a strategic investment in sports and entertainment events. The fund's goals were to diversify the kingdom's holdings as part of Vision 2030, a plan to lessen Saudi Arabia's reliance on oil.

As part of the plan, the country also signed a 10-year, $650 million contract for a Formula One race, It invested millions in a Saudi International golf tournament, a long-term partnership with WWE, and the hosting of some of the biggest boxing bouts in recent memory, Saudi Arabia has since become a major sports event center on theeSports Gaming planet.

Conclusion

The value of Saudi Arabia's gaming industry is one of the fastest-growing gaming marketplaces in the world. The video game and eSports industries have historically been dominated by markets in North America and Europe, but Saudi Arabia's cutting-edge telecommunications infrastructure, educated workforce, and quickly diversifying economy have deemed it to be a high potential market for growth.

Create a robust and interesting gaming business in Saudi with Data Sports Group, the best partner for all your Sports Content! As the eSports industry expands its wings and enters the Middle East, do not limit your content to geographical boundaries. With a dedicated workforce that works round the clock, DSG prides itself in delivering accurate sports content from all over the world!

[euro-journal-english-news]

Global Esports Federation creates partnership with Saudi Arabia-based VOV Gaming

Global Esports Federation creates partnership with Saudi Arabia-based VOV Gaming

You have viewed over 50 articles in the last 12 months. Keep Olympic News Free Support insidethegames.biz for as little as £10 For nearly 15 years now, insidethegames.biz has been at the forefront of reporting fearlessly on what happens in the Olympic Movement. As the first website not to be placed behind a paywall, we have made news about the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic and…

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Recode Daily: How to watch the swearing-in of the 116th Congress, on a historic day for women in government

The 116th Congress gets sworn in today — a historic day for women in government. A whopping 102 women will take their seats in the House — that’s nearly a quarter of its voting members. Of those women, 35 (or 34.3 percent) are entering Congress for the first time. Exactly a quarter of the Senate will now be made up of women, as 25 women, five of whom are new, will be sworn in. The majority of women serving in both chambers are Democrats. Other noteworthy events: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will likely be elected the next speaker of the House, and she says she intends to immediately hold a vote on the government shutdown. C-SPAN and C-SPAN2 will be streaming the ceremony, which is set to begin at 12 pm ET; here’s what to watch for. Apple cut its sales outlook for its fiscal 2019 first quarter by nearly 8 percent to $84 billion. The company had previously said it expected $89 billion to $93 billion in sales for the holiday quarter, which ended December 29. In a letter to investors, CEO Tim Cook blamed “emerging market challenges” and lackluster iPhone sales; in both instances, China was a driving force behind the lower-than-expected numbers, and Apple’s statement seems to be a not-so-thinly-veiled stab at President Donald Trump’s trade battle with the world’s most populous country. But that’s not the only reason people are buying fewer iPhones. The Federal Communications Commission will suspend most of its services by midday today if the partial government shutdown continues. The FCC plans to furlough more than 20 percent of its staff and will cease all work that is not “required for the protection of life and property” or related to spectrum auctions, which are funded by the sale of spectrum licenses. The agency’s wind-down would impact electronics makers, consumers, broadcasters, and many federal employees. A federal judge dismissed lawsuits that sought to hold Facebook, Google, and Twitter liable to victims of the December 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino that killed 14 people and injured 22 others. US Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in San Francisco found that while the platforms were “generally aware” that the Islamic State used their services, the shooting was not a direct result of the companies providing resources to the terrorist group. Netflix pulled an episode of “Patriot Act With Hasan Minhaj” in Saudi Arabia after the government there leveled a legal threat over a segment in which the comedian criticizes US ties to the regime and ridicules Saudi attempts to explain the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Netflix said it was simply complying with a local cybercrime law; human rights group Amnesty International said Netflix’s action is “further proof of a relentless crackdown on freedom of expression.” The 27-minute episode, titled “Saudi Arabia,” remains available on Netflix in all other territories. Popular Fortnite streamer Tyler Blevins, a.k.a. Ninja, earned nearly $10 million in 2018, with 70 percent of the revenue coming from Twitch and YouTube. Every time one of Ninja’s 20 million-plus YouTube subscribers watches a pop-up ad on his channel, he earns a percentage of the ad sale; most of his videos on YouTube have been viewed millions of times. More than 12.5 million users follow him on Twitch and almost 40,000 pay to watch, forking over either $4.99, $9.99, or $25 per month to watch him blast his way to big bucks. The rest of his income is from sponsors like Samsung, Uber Eats, and Red Bull, which leads to a question about him and his peers in the burgeoning eSports community: Are they athletes? Blevins said he sees himself instead as a small business owner. How much of the internet is fake? A lot of it, as it turns out. Studies suggest that, year after year, less than 60 percent of web traffic is human, and a healthy majority of it is bot. For a period of time in 2013, a full half of YouTube traffic was “bots masquerading as people” — a portion so high that employees feared an inflection point after which YouTube’s systems for detecting fraudulent traffic would begin to regard bot traffic as real and human traffic as fake. They called this hypothetical event “the Inversion.” Here’s a grim look at our new post-Inversion unreality, in which the metrics, businesses, content, people — even ourselves — are questionable. How many times this year were you asked online to prove that you’re a human? This is cool Lovot, KiKi and other cute robots will be the stars of next week’s CES. How could 2019 be any worse than 2018? recode_logomark Recode Daily Sign up for our Recode Daily newsletter to get the top tech and business news stories delivered to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy. Source link Read the full article

[orbemnews]

2020's largest winners and losers in enterprise This is a have a look at the most important winners and losers in 2020 and a preview of what the yr forward would possibly deliver. Shares of builders, together with Lennar (LEN) and D.R. Horton (DHI), in addition to retailers catering to owners, similar to Residence Depot (HD), Lowe’s (LOW) and Williams-Sonoma (WSM), soared in 2020. Residence Depot gross sales elevated 18%, whereas Lowe’s gross sales elevated 23%. What’s subsequent: The outlook for 2021 stays sturdy, largely as a result of the truth that mortgage charges are at document lows due to the Federal Reserve’s 2020 fee cuts and plunging long-term bond yields. The Fed has already stated rates of interest aren’t going up anytime quickly. The Mortgage Bankers Affiliation is predicting document buy quantity within the coming yr. — Paul R. La Monica Loser: Journey and Hospitality Happening trip wasn’t an choice for many throughout the pandemic. The cruise business was battered as Carnival (CCL), Royal Caribbean (RCL) and Norwegian (NCLH) have been pressured to droop voyages for a lot of 2020 and into 2021. All three shares plummeted between 45% and 60% this yr. The information wasn’t a lot better for lodge chains, which have been hammered by a decline in demand for each leisure and enterprise journey. What’s subsequent: The business is hoping for a rebound as cooped-up would-be vacationers look to hit the street in 2021 as soon as vaccines are broadly accessible, but it surely’s not clear whether or not enterprise journey — the life blood of the business — will method pre-pandemic ranges at a time when video convention calls are understanding simply nice. Including insult to harm for the massive motels, Airbnb, which had already turned the hospitality business on its head, soared when it went public in December. The house sharing platform is now value about $90 billion — greater than twice as a lot as Marriott (MAR) and 3 times the market worth of Hilton (HCYAX). — Paul R. La Monica Winner: Hashish Marijuana continues to be not authorized on the Federal degree, however 4 extra states accredited hashish use for leisure functions on Election Day, making the drug authorized in 13 states. The business stays eager for a federal decriminalization of hashish throughout the Biden administration. Merchandise containing CBD — which is extracted from hemp and hashish — are already authorized and gross sales additionally surged in 2020. All this helped drive a pot inventory bonanza. Shares of Cover Development (CGC) and Cronos (CRON), backed by Constellation Manufacturers and Altria, respectively, have soared since November. The inventory of present business chief Curaleaf (CURLF) skyrocketed too, almost doubling on the yr. What’s subsequent: There might be extra consolidation within the business in 2021 too, as corporations look to mix following the December announcement that Tilray and Aphria have been merging to create the world’s largest hashish firm. — Paul R. La Monica Loser: Oil Loads of industries grappled with plunging costs in 2020, however oil is the solely main commodity that went unfavorable. The unprecedented journey beneath zero this spring was brought on by an epic collapse in demand throughout the pandemic and a value struggle between Saudi Arabia and Russia. Though crude rebounded, oil-and-gas corporations are nonetheless in disaster. Dozens of frackers have gone bankrupt. The S&P 500’s vitality sector is down by greater than 30% this yr, making it simply the worst performer within the inventory market. ExxonMobil (XOM) would simply be the most important loser within the Dow Jones Industrial Common — however the once-mighty firm was ousted from the index this summer time What’s subsequent: The oil business definitely will profit because the US financial system reopens in 2021 and folks begin flying and driving extra. However coronavirus vaccines will not repair oil’s larger risk: a local weather disaster that’s inflicting traders to dump fossil fuels. –Matt Egan Winner: Photo voltaic The rise of socially acutely aware investing helped carry the photo voltaic business to a blockbuster yr. Buyers more and more view fossil gasoline corporations because the prime contributor to the local weather disaster — they usually’re betting photo voltaic companies are an important a part of the answer. The Invesco Photo voltaic ETF (TAN) has spiked greater than 200% this yr. Sunrun (RUN), America’s largest rooftop photo voltaic firm, is up greater than 300%. These are staggering features pushed by sturdy demand for photo voltaic vitality, the ascendance of the Environmental, Social and Company Governance (ESG) investing motion and enthusiasm over the approaching reversal in Washington’s local weather coverage. What’s subsequent: The most important problem for photo voltaic shares in 2021 is that they might be too sizzling. There will definitely be some rising pains earlier than the sector really lives as much as the hype. However after 4 years of a climate-denier within the White Home, President-elect Joe Biden’s promise to urgently deal with the local weather disaster will undoubtedly assist propel the photo voltaic business. — Matt Egan Loser: Banks This was simply the worst yr for America’s banks for the reason that Nice Recession. Lenders suffered tens of billions of {dollars} in losses as they braced for mortgage defaults and share costs spiraled decrease. Even large banks such Citigroup (C) and Financial institution of America (BAC) are ending the yr sharply decrease, and Wells Fargo (CBEAX) stays a sizzling mess What’s subsequent: The excellent news for banks: That is what occurs throughout recessions. Banks endure as defaults mount, mortgage demand shrinks and rates of interest plunge. The silver lining is that the US banking system simply endured a real-world stress take a look at — and it handed. Thanks partially to the emergency measures from the Federal Reserve and Congress, no main banks collapsed. Booming monetary markets additionally helped cushion the blow with banks cashing in as IPOs and debt gross sales surged. If Wall Road’s V-shaped restoration spreads to Fundamental Road, banks stand to be winners in 2021. — Matt Egan Winner: Bitcoin Bitcoin and different cryptocurrencies plunged alongside the inventory market shortly after Covid-19 floor the US financial system to a standstill in March. However bitcoin (ARSC) has come roaring again to hit new all-time highs close to $30,000 since then. Costs have greater than tripled this yr. Buyers have flocked to bitcoin because the US greenback has weakened — largely a results of the Fed slashing rates of interest to zero. And prime hedge fund managers Paul Tudor Jones and Stanley Druckenmiller helped validate bitcoin with investments this yr. Many traders view bitcoin as a alternative for gold — a hedge towards additional declines within the greenback. What’s subsequent: Bitcoin could grow to be a extra acceptable type of digital funds in 2021 now that fintech powerhouses Sq. (SQ) and PayPal (PYPL) are each letting customers purchase, promote and maintain bitcoin. However Skybridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci, who has an enormous stake in bitcoin, warned traders that the digital foreign money is due for a crash. He believes it stays a powerful funding, but it surely might all of a sudden tumble 20% to 50%. — Paul R. La Monica Loser: Airways The airline business had terrible years up to now, however none have been as devastatingly horrendous as 2020. US air journey got here to a digital halt in April. Visitors rebounded modestly late within the yr, regardless of climbing Covid-19 circumstances, however the variety of passengers screened by TSA at US airports was nonetheless down 63% in comparison with a yr in the past throughout the vacation journey season. Airways obtained $50 billion in grants and loans from the federal authorities earlier this yr to climate the storm and are poised to get an extra $15 billion from the not too long ago handed stimulus package deal. However they nonetheless misplaced $24.2 billion within the first 9 months of this yr. What’s subsequent: Extra losses are anticipated within the fourth quarter and into 2021. Air journey is not anticipated to get better for a number of years, even because the vaccine raises hopes for the tip of the pandemic. Air visitors, particularly the extra profitable enterprise journey, sometimes takes a number of years to get better following a recession. — Chris Isidore Winner: Video video games Shoppers have been caught at residence this yr, and video video games gave gamers a possibility to cross the time alone whereas nonetheless interacting with their buddies. That helped the video video games business growth this yr, from offered out Nintendo Swap consoles, to document development on streaming platforms, together with Fb Gaming and Amazon’s Twitch. Esports benefited, too, when conventional sports activities have been paused. In March, as nations around the globe have been heading into lockdown, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” was launched and have become a document hit for Nintendo, promoting 26 million copies at $60 apiece. Google’s video platform YouTube logged its finest yr ever in 2020 with greater than 100 billion hours in gaming content material seen. What’s subsequent: Consultants predict the gaming business is about to continue to grow in 2021. Regardless of a crushing recession, players nonetheless managed to buy all of the accessible PlayStation 5 and Xbox Collection X consoles this yr at $499 a pop. — Shannon Liao Loser: Malls A number of nationwide mall-staple department shops, which have been already struggling earlier than the pandemic, toppled out of business, together with JCPenney, Neiman Marcus and Lord & Taylor. Though the primary two are nonetheless in enterprise, Lord & Taylor introduced it could shut all its shops. Clothes retailers have been significantly arduous hit, as hundreds of thousands of individuals misplaced jobs and hundreds of thousands extra shifted to working from residence, lowering the necessity to purchase workplace garments. Tailor-made Manufacturers, which operates Males’s Warehouse and Jos. A. Financial institution, and Ascena, proprietor of Ann Taylor and Lane Bryant, each fell out of business. The pandemic devastated mall homeowners. Most malls have been pressured to shut throughout lockdown orders of the spring, and the wave of bankruptcies by tenants left them with billions in unpaid hire. What’s subsequent: The way forward for malls will rely upon how profitable they’re discovering non-traditional tenants to take the place of outlets who won’t be returning. Malls have been in serious trouble earlier than the pandemic, which solely exacerbated their declines. — Chris Isidore Winner: Large Retail Amazon (AMZN) and different on-line retailers have been among the many largest winners of the pandemic, as folks grew cautious about leaving their properties. However big-box shops, similar to Walmart (WMT), Goal (TGT) and Costco (COST), additionally received large, as buyers flocked to shops the place they might get all their buying performed in a single go. Gross sales elevated 7% at Walmart, 12% at Costco and 19% at Goal of their most up-to-date previous three quarters. These shops have been deemed important and have been allowed to stay open throughout the spring when many different shops have been pressured to shut. Goal and Walmart additionally elevated their on-line gross sales due to curbside pickup. What’s subsequent: Large retailers aren’t anticipated to lose any floor as soon as the pandemic ends, even when the tempo of gross sales development slows down. They ramped up their digital operations in 2020 and are well-positioned to achieve the long run, even after clients really feel snug buying at native shops once more. — Chris Isidore Loser: Automakers The auto business suffered a physique blow from the pandemic in its early months, as factories shut down and demand for vehicles fell sharply. Job losses soared and automobile corporations lowered shifts for hundreds of thousands of autoworkers. Rental automobile corporations, sometimes a significant purchaser of recent vehicles, nearly stopped their purchases as air journey floor to a halt and demand for rental vehicles plummeted. At 102-years-old, Hertz (HTZ) was pressured to file for chapter. What’s subsequent: Demand for vehicles has rebounded a lot sooner than many anticipated. Though auto gross sales will not be forecast to return to 2019 ranges any time quickly, the pandemic has given automobile gross sales an sudden enhance: Many commuters are involved about utilizing public transit or ride-hailing providers similar to Uber (UBER). That might enhance the auto business restoration in 2021. — Chris Isidore Winner: Large Tech Know-how emerged a winner throughout the pandemic as cloud and connectivity providers thrived in a stay-at-home world. Netflix (NFLX) income jumped 73% in the newest three quarters. Video conferencing service Zoom’s gross sales soared 307%. And Amazon was among the many largest winners, with gross sales leaping $67 billion, or 35%, within the first three quarters of the yr. America’s financial system grew extra depending on the expertise sector than on conventional sectors similar to manufacturing or retail. So traders rushed to purchase up tech shares, driving up their worth. The nation’s 5 most useful corporations — Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Google proprietor Alphabet (GOOG) and Fb (FB), are actually value greater than $7.5 trillion mixed. What’s subsequent: Rising antitrust scrutiny poses an enormous existential risk to expertise corporations. Though the disputes aren’t more likely to get resolved anytime quickly, authorized and regulatory motion to rein in Large Tech has grow to be a uncommon bipartisan situation in Washington. — Chris Isidore Loser: Manufacturing Conventional manufacturing had a really powerful yr. Industrial manufacturing plunged 16.5% between February and April. Even after rebounding, the nation’s factories are nonetheless producing at 5% beneath their pre-pandemic ranges. America’s aluminum manufacturing is down 8.1% whereas metal manufacturing is down 18%. No producer had extra bother than Boeing (BA) in 2020, which was hit by the downturn in air journey and airline clients attempting to preserve money and delay or cancel plane purchases. Boeing got here into the yr because the nation’s largest exporter, so the near-halt of economic plane purchases was a significant drag on the broader financial system. What’s subsequent: The manufacturing sector continues to be an essential a part of the US financial system. However each time it goes via a downturn like this, it hardly ever bounces again to its earlier degree. So the significance of producing to the nation’s general financial well being will virtually definitely proceed to wane. — Chris Isidore Winner: Creators Creators have been discovering methods to maintain their content material contemporary and progressive all through 2020, particularly throughout the pandemic. The platforms that help these creators have benefited considerably. Twitch downloads jumped 61% worldwide from January to November, in keeping with Apptopia, a cell app and enterprise intelligence firm. Patreon, a social and membership platform for content material creators, grew 43%, and downloads of Cameo, an app that permits you to pay for superstar shout-outs, rose 134%. These platforms allowed creators to supply content material simpler, broadcast it additional and in addition monetize it. That is due partially to pandemic lockdowns which have helped redefine the creator panorama of who will get seen and why — with social media serving because the megaphone for the content material these creators share and publish. What’s subsequent: Social giants like Fb and Snapchat have taken word, launching their very own variations of well-liked creator platforms like TikTok to compete and sustain with the content material craze. It is a sign that the meteoric development the creator panorama has seen this yr will solely proceed in 2021. — Jazmin Goodwin Loser: Film Theaters The coronavirus pandemic pressured theaters shut around the globe, main US field workplace gross sales to plummet almost 80%, in keeping with Comscore, It additionally pushed extra folks caught at residence to streaming. Netflix and Disney+ thrived whereas the $43 billion world theater world enterprise was ravaged. What’s subsequent: With conventional studios together with Disney and Warner Bros. going all-in on their streaming ventures, theaters discover themselves in a deadly place. However the largest query in Hollywood is will shoppers return to the cineplex as soon as vaccines hit important mass, or have the glory days of going the flicks reached their closing act? –Frank Pallotta Winner: Streaming For years, it appeared as if streaming and film theaters have been at struggle with each other. Streamers similar to Netflix needed to ship leisure to shoppers at any time when, wherever and theaters needed to take care of the exclusivity that is been important to their enterprise (and popcorn gross sales) for the final century. In 2020, it seems that streaming received. What’s subsequent: Streaming is clearly right here to remain. Warner Bros. made the daring determination to launch all of its movies concurrently in theaters and on HBO Max. Disney+ has recorded electrical development with a formidable slate for 2021 and past. And Netflix continues to spend large to supply the unique content material that has made it so well-liked. –Frank Pallotta Supply hyperlink #2020'sbiggestwinnersandlosersinbusiness-CNN #2020s #biggest #Business #losers #Winners

[overwatchartifact]

Saudi Arabian federation for Electronic & intellectual sports is hosting a 1 million SAR (€244,000) prize Overwatch tournament @safeis.ksa ———————— Source: ‏‏twitter.com/saudiolympic/status/1233806124543074308?s=19 ———————— #overwatch #overwatchgame #blizzard #blizzardgames #saudiarabien #esports #tournament #overwatchtournament #safeisksa #overwatchnews https://www.instagram.com/p/B9MQIL2IO7_/?igshid=1f7oxg4b1n15u

[businessweekme]

Debate Rages Over Medals for Gamers at Asian Games

Forget swimming goggles and running cleats. As athletes gather for the Asian Games, Asia’s biggest sporting event in Jakarta this week, much of the attention will be on computer mice and chunky headphones as gamers will also be in line for medals.

For the first time, the Asian Games — the Olympics equivalent for the world’s most populous continent — will include computer game competitions alongside swimming and track-and-field. Contestants from Saudi Arabia to Japan will battle for national pride and bragging rights across six titles, including League of Legends and StarCraft II in a huge marketing coup for publishers like Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Activision Blizzard Inc.

Yet the move is generating furious controversy. Many athletes and fans contend computer games aren’t truly sports, and no medals should be awarded for what’s essentially skillful consumption of a corporate product. This week’s games are the largest showcase yet for esports, an early test of whether it will be included at 2024 Paris Olympics.

“It’s really a shift away from the Olympic ethos,” said Scott McGrory, 48, an Australian gold medalist in cycling and a sports broadcaster. “It’s like saying, let’s have a competition with the best accountants on the planet.”

Critics say it’s about greed. The Olympic Charter historically stated that mental or mechanical-driven activities were not permitted as sports, one reason chess and car-racing were never included. But with Olympics attracting fewer viewers, especially among younger audiences, officials may be willing to bend the rules to welcome the $140 billion video game industry, which commands the attention of teenagers and millennials.

“They’ve got Olympic ideals and they use all these slogans, but at the end of the day this is a big money-making machine,” said Mathew Jessep, a sports and esports lawyer. “If the Olympics want to continue making the sort of money they’ve been making, they need to supplement the content. From a content play, esports is a definitive opportunity.”

Olympic organizers also historically work with non-profit sports groups and are barred from dealing with for-profit companies like the game makers, Jessep says. But the games industry doesn’t yet have an international, non-profit group that could fill that role.

Game makers stand to benefit. Unlike with basketball or fencing, the intellectual property of a video game is usually owned by a for-profit company. That means choosing a game from, say, Tencent or Electronic Arts Inc. has a direct impact on their profit. Skeptics say the selection process is rife with opportunities for favoritism and influence-peddling.

Asian Games organizers have yet to explain in detail how this year’s six titles were chosen. The Asian Electronic Sports Federation, which oversaw the selection, said it was based on “stringent criteria,” according to a statement in May. “The game must adhere to our vision of promoting integrity, ethics, and fair play,” AESF president Kenneth Fok said in the statement. AESF did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls.

In a panel discussion in July, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia, said the debate over esports in the Asian Games has been tough. While the International Olympic Committee questioned its inclusion, game makers were adamant about keeping control over their business, he said.

Twenty seven countries participated in qualifying for esports, with 135 players selected to live alongside athletes from traditional sports. Winners this year won’t get medals, but gold, silver and bronze will be awarded from the 2022 games.

The selections heavily favor China’s Tencent, with half of the six slots. Analysts say that gives the company an upper hand in establishing itself as the premier game in a specific genre, which should help boost sales and increase the audience. Tencent’s battle arena title League of Legends is a direct rival to Valve Corp.’s Dota 2, which won’t be part of this week’s competition. Konami Holdings Corp.’s Pro Evolution Soccer series was picked for the Games over the much more popular FIFA from Electronic Arts.

“Being chosen as the de facto game for esports is a huge plus for publishers,” said Masaru Sugiyama, an analyst at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. “The rift between the top game and the second game in the same genre could widen.”

Karol Severin, co-founder of MIDiA Research, suggested one way of dealing with the dilemma is selecting genres — strategy, shooting, virtual soccer — instead of specific games, and then allowing multiple publishers to vie for a spot in that category. Organizers could also release Olympic-specific versions of a game, with royalties then shared among developers and organizers.

Esports-related revenue will more than triple to $3 billion by 2022 from this year, according to Goldman Sachs estimates. The sale of broadcasting rights will generate 40 percent of that as the audience watching matches grows to 276 million, according to the brokerage.

Sugiyama said big international tournaments like the Asian Games and the Olympics will be major factors in driving adoption and acceptance. That’s why reaching a balance between sport and profit will be key to entertaining viewers without making the competition feel like a giant commercial.

“When a game becomes an Olympic sport, should it have an owner? Or should it be in the public domain?” said Sugiyama. “This is a question that must be answered.”

The post Debate Rages Over Medals for Gamers at Asian Games appeared first on Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East.

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[riyadhvision]

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, head of KSA's Federation for Electronics and Intellectual Sports

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, head of KSA’s Federation for Electronics and Intellectual Sports

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan.

:: Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan is the president of the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronics and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS), tasked with creating a world-class, first-of-its-kind public and private eSports federation, culture and infrastructure in the Kingdom.

As the son of the former Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US, Prince Faisal spent much…