In recent years, the gaming industry has seen explosive growth worldwide, and Saudi Arabia seems to be no exception . With a rapidly increasing number of gamers, we found that understanding the gaming habits of men in Saudi can offer valuable insights into this booming market. Our analysis includes a closer look at how gaming fits into the daily lives of males over the age of 18 in Saudi Arabia who claim to play video games.
Gaming is not just a casual hobby but an important part of leisure activities among men in Saudi. Over half of these men engage in gaming at least 5 days a week (54%), underscoring how important gaming is in their daily lives.
When asked about the time they spend on gaming per day, 9 out of 10 men said they devote at least an hour a day gaming.
Younger men, particularly those belonging to Gen Z, appear to be even more heavily invested. Their average playtime seems to be significantly higher, with the majority being more likely to dedicate 2 to 4 hours daily to gaming.
What Motivates Men in Saudi to Engage in Gaming?
The Choice of Gaming Devices Also Varies
While smartphone is the most popular device, consoles become the preferred devices for those who spend more than 3 hours gaming daily.
PCs are mostly used by Gen X, who are more likely to be considered as ‘light players’.
When selecting a game, half of men (50%) in Saudi consider the genre, and another half rely on friends' recommendations (48%). Also, 44% choose free-to-play games, which are more likely to be occasional players (choosing to play video games less than once a week).
Preferences in Game Genres Reveal Further Insights
Gamers in Saudi Arabia are all about the thrills!
Most players in Saudi like action games as they are fast-paced games that often need quick thinking and fast reactions.
But that’s not all!
Sports games also enjoy high popularity within the Saudi gaming community.
Involvement in Gaming Tournaments is Also High!
Interestingly, all surveyed players like to participate in gaming tournaments, with nearly 6 out 10 preferring online tournaments (57%) over face-to-face gaming events. They claim to enjoy the thrill of competition (65%), the gaming atmosphere (63%), and the chance to win prizes (50%). A significant majority of the sample (83%) join as spectators, while 56% compete as players.
