Saudi Arabia's Esports World Cup in Paris: A Strategy of Conquest in Gaming

The Esports World Cup is being held in Paris for the first time, from July 6 to August 23, after two editions in Riyadh, with a total prize pool of $75 million. The event was relocated due to the war in Iran. Saudi Arabia recently acquired American publisher Electronic Arts (EA) for $55 billion, a deal involving the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner. Olivier Mauco, president of Game in Society and a political science doctor, discussed Saudi strategy on France 24. The kingdom aims to dominate the gaming industry and e-sports, as part of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy beyond oil. Saudi Arabia has previously taken minority stakes in Nintendo and Capcom. The Esports World Cup has a budget of €218 million, with tickets priced at just €7, making it not immediately profitable. Paris was chosen for its infrastructure, long-standing partnership with France, and global visibility, especially after the 2024 Olympics. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a self-proclaimed gamer, is driving these investments, aiming to create 39,000 jobs and make Riyadh a global gaming hub. The strategy also serves domestic purposes, appealing to a young population (60-65% under 30) and fostering national pride. Critics label this 'esport washing' to improve the kingdom's image and distract from human rights issues.