Qiddiya Gaming tour showcases high-tech offerings at Tokyo Game Show 2024

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At TGS, attendees were able to immerse themselves in the UBAR world by co-creating content with Qiddiya Gaming. (Supplied)
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Updated 03 October 2024
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Qiddiya Gaming tour showcases high-tech offerings at Tokyo Game Show 2024

  • Debut of Cyberpunk zone, Space will follow in November
  • Qiddiya aims to be epicenter of sports, arts, entertainment

Tokyo: The “Unearthing Qiddiya” global in-real-life tour made its mark at the Tokyo Game Show 2024 by showcasing a first look at Saudi Arabia’s offering at its new high-tech district for esports and gaming.

With over 240,000 fans and 3,000 exhibitors from 40 countries at the TGS event held from Sept. 26 to 29, Qiddiya Gaming debuted its vision of the world’s first IRL gaming city.

The 1,000-sq. meter booth at Makuhari Messe offered attendees a first look at the cyberpunk-themed UBAR, part of Qiddiya’s Gaming and Esports District in Saudi Arabia.

UBAR is designed as a cyberpunk-themed city where gaming and real-life blend seamlessly.

Arnab Bhattacharya, director of strategy for Qiddiya Gaming, explained: “In UBAR, cyberpunk-themed apartments are designed for gamers, jobs redefine the future of gaming, and achievements unlock exclusive access to lounges and nightlife.

“It’s a place where the cyberpunk community can truly belong.”

At TGS, attendees were able to immerse themselves in the UBAR world by co-creating content with Qiddiya Gaming and earning cheat codes to catch the Sentinel developed by Creature Technology.

They were also able to develop their persona with a digital UBAR ID as well as watch the premiere of UBAR’s game trailer.

The Qiddiya booth also hosted special appearances by esports stars Crazy Raccoon, ZETA DIVISION, and top virtual live streamers, who live-streamed on Qiddiya's official channel via the American streaming service Twitch.

Fans had the chance to meet UBAR’s characters, Layla and Noriko, collect original art by artist Hugh Fleming and download the music of UBAR, remixed by DJ Makoto, on Spotify.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News Japan, Mike Milanov, chairman of Qiddiya Gaming, shared insights into the project: “Qiddiya is one of 25 megaprojects in Saudi Arabia.

“And it has evolved from a theme park concept into a giga-project aimed at making Qiddiya the epicenter of sports, entertainment, gaming, arts, and culture.”

Milanov emphasized the ambitious scale of the project, which covers 360 sq. km southwest of Riyadh.

“Qiddiya City is being built from the ground up, with the goal of creating a city where play is at the core. Our Gaming and Esports District will be a 700,000 sq. meter IRL gaming experience — the first of its kind.”

Reflecting on Qiddiya Gaming’s global tour, Milanov said that TGS was the latest in a series of 14 conventions worldwide, where different zones of the district have been revealed.

“At TGS, we unveiled UBAR, our Cyberpunk zone. In November, we will reveal our Space zone at the G-Star event in South Korea.”

Milanov said Qiddiya Gaming has excited fans worldwide.

“We’ve built a strong global community. Our booth activations showcase that Qiddiya Gaming understands the gaming world, and we’re focused on co-creating experiences that resonate with both local and international gamers.”

Looking ahead, Milanov added that Qiddiya Gaming would continue to expand and collaborate with strategic partners, publishers, and esports teams.

“Our goal is to remain the global epicenter of gaming. We invite everyone to follow our journey as we create a new era of IRL gaming.”

Located prominently within Qiddiya City, the Gaming and Esports District will be home to multiple dedicated esports venues — one of which will be among the top-three largest in the world.

In addition, there will be next-gen facilities that will host up to 19 top-tier esports clubs at a time, each with dedicated facilities including scrim rooms and strategy theater — and the regional headquarters of leading video game companies.

It covers more than 500,000 sq. meters of gaming space and aims to attract 10 million visits annually, with 100,000 sq. meters set aside for retail, dining and entertainment venues.

Qiddiya Gaming’s recent high-profile announcements include being the Esports World Cup Founding Partner and future home to the annual event featuring a $60 million prize pool.

Other revelations include a five-year strategic partnership with ESL FaceIt Group tapping into Counter-Strike, DOTA and Fortnite gaming communities; and sponsorship of Moonton MPL Leagues, featuring the world’s fastest-growing mobile game.


First flights carrying Hajj pilgrims from Turkiye land in Saudi Arabia

Updated 30 April 2025
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First flights carrying Hajj pilgrims from Turkiye land in Saudi Arabia

  • Qualified staff fluent in several languages and equipped with the latest technology will help simplify entry procedures for pilgrims

Madinah: The first flights carrying Hajj pilgrims from Turkiye arrived at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Wednesday. The annual Islamic pilgrimage is set to take place this year between June 4 and 9.

Authorities are providing qualified staff who are fluent in several languages and equipped with the latest technology to help simplify entry procedures for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported, and are ready to assist people arriving by land and sea as well as air.

An estimated 1.8 million pilgrims participated in Hajj last year.


Jeddah communication conference explores anime’s digital evolution

Updated 30 April 2025
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Jeddah communication conference explores anime’s digital evolution

  • The session focused on anime’s shift from traditional television broadcasts and DVDs to digital platforms, including live streaming, instant subtitling and cloud-based production

RIYADH: The eighth session of the Digital Communication Conference, titled “Anime in the Digital Space,” explored the transformation of Japanese anime over the past two decades, highlighting the impact of digital innovation and the internet.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the session focused on anime’s shift from traditional television broadcasts and DVDs to digital platforms, including live streaming, instant subtitling and cloud-based production.

Streaming giants such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Funimation were highlighted as pivotal players in the transition, offering translated or dubbed episodes immediately upon release and funding original series such as “Devilman Crybaby” and “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.”

Speakers in the session, including Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary, said that social media and online forums have opened the door to unprecedented engagement among fans, as well as community and cultural interaction, since audiences now take part in evaluating episodes.

Concerns were raised that heavy dependence on technology could erode the handcrafted aesthetic that defines traditional anime.

Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning interest in manga and anime, which dates back to the 1970s, is helping to usher in a revolution in cultural production.

Japanese art forms have captivated audiences of all ages, gaining significant popularity in recent years. Their ability to combine entertainment, culture and education has made them of great interest to Saudi society.

To support this interest, the General Entertainment Authority has hosted events like the Saudi Anime Expo, drawing international visitors.

In line with these efforts, the ministries of culture and education launched the Manga Education program to nurture student talent, as well as integrate arts and culture into public education.
 


Muslim World League chief meets UK Islamic leaders in Madinah

Updated 30 April 2025
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Muslim World League chief meets UK Islamic leaders in Madinah

  • Delegation visits International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography
  • Visitors reaffirm support for Palestinian cause, call for end to genocide in Gaza

LONDON: The secretary-general of the Muslim World League, Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, met British Islamic leaders in Madinah on Wednesday to discuss issues facing the UK’s Muslim community.

The visitors praised the MWL’s important role in the Islamic world and among Muslim minorities in Europe and the UK, highlighting its work to preserve cultural and religious identities.

They also noted that King Charles welcomed Al-Issa as the first Arab and Muslim figure from outside the UK to visit Buckingham Palace after his coronation.

The delegation visited the MWL-affiliated International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography, which tells the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s life.

During the talks they reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian cause and called for an “immediate end to the genocide being perpetrated against the people of Gaza by the brutal war machine of the Israeli occupation government.”

Gaza should be a symbol of unity, not division, among Muslim communities, they said, according to an MWL statement.

The delegation commended the 2019 Charter of Makkah, saying it helped foster interaction with non-Muslim audiences and promoted moderation in addressing contemporary issues.


Saudi deputy foreign minister receives Russia’s envoy in Riyadh

Updated 30 April 2025
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Saudi deputy foreign minister receives Russia’s envoy in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Russian Ambassador Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The pair discussed relations between their countries and other topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

Also on Wednesday, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki met Digital Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya in Islamabad, the diplomat wrote on X.

They discussed the importance of digital transformation and other topics of interest.


Saudi Arabia welcomes Rwanda, DRC declaration to draft peace deal

Updated 30 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes Rwanda, DRC declaration to draft peace deal

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has welcomed the signing of a declaration of principles between the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it appreciated the diplomatic efforts made by the two sides and looked forward to their commitment to the declaration, which would enhance security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The foreign ministers of Rwanda and the DRC signed a declaration at the US State Department on Friday. They agreed to draft a peace deal by May 2, respecting each other’s sovereignty and refraining from supporting armed groups after fighting resumed in the DRC’s mineral-rich east in October.