Services and co-development giant Side has signed a deal with Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group. 

The duo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding – essentially a piece of paper saying they are going to do something, usually with no penalties if said things don't happen – saying that they will work together to grow the Saudi Arabian games industry. As part of this, Side is set to open up an office in the nation's capital, Riyadh, by Q4 2025. 

“The way we see it, Saudi Arabia is quite possibly the most important market for the global gaming industry right now, especially when it comes to the development scene,” Side CEO Deborah Kirkham (pictured) said. 

“It’s got all the right pieces in play for aggressive growth for UK companies – inviting partners like Savvy, an audience that wants more localised and bespoke content, and the backing of a government who knows how to proactively invest in the future. That combination allows us to bottle lightning in the Saudi marketplace and deliver the kind of excellence Side is globally known for.”

Dr Nika Nour, the SVP and head of internal biz dev at Savvy Games Group, added: “We are delighted to partner with Side and look forward to supporting the team to enter Saudi Arabia’s vibrant gaming industry and establish their presence here in Riyadh. Our collaboration with Side reflects our shared vision to elevate the global gaming experience and support the next generation of creative professionals in the region.”