Artisan Studios Opens New Game Development Branch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Artisan Studios to employ 200 developers and collaborate with local artists at its new Saudi branch, marking a historic move as the first foreign-owned game development studio in the country amid criticism over human rights issues.
- Artisan Studios, a French indie game developer, has opened a new branch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This branch, supported by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment (MISA), is described as a 'regional development studio' and is the first indie developer with a presence in Saudi Arabia.
- The move aligns with Saudi Arabia's goals of creating high-value jobs and providing local talent with gaming industry experience. Artisan's expansion will also enable the company to broaden its development capabilities and venture into publishing its own games.
- Despite allegations of human rights abuses connected to Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud, the chairman of MISA, Artisan CEO Mario Rizzo stands by the decision. Rizzo stands by his belief that the country is 'deeply misunderstood' and rapidly changing.
- Rizzo sees Artisan's operations in Saudi Arabia as a potential 'force for positive societal change', aiming to build a platform for 'new voices' and train local talent. The ultimate aim is to develop creators who could build their own studios and games in the future.
- The Riyadh studio could potentially start developing and releasing its own RPG games in a few years. Artisan also has plans for exchanges where Saudi developers can visit and work with its teams in France and Canada to better integrate them into the studio's culture.
VentureBeat 
GamesIndustry.biz 
