Saudi Arabia Trains 10-17 Year Olds as Game Developers

Saudi Arabia is betting big on its youngest gamers, and the payoff could reshape an entire generation's future. Savvy Games Group and King Salman Science Oasis just kicked off the Next Gen Games Camp, a hands-on program teaching kids aged 10 to 17 how to build actual video games from scratch.

The 20-hour summer curriculum welcomes students with zero coding background. Split into junior (ages 10-13) and senior (ages 14-17) tracks, participants work in teams to transform original ideas into playable prototypes, competing for best-in-camp honors along the way.

The timing couldn't be better. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 21 million gamers, representing over 70% of the country's total population. Now the nation is channeling that passion into career skills through what organizers call a "Player to Game Maker" transformation.

This camp is just the opening move in a much larger strategy. Savvy Games and King Salman Science Oasis signed a long-term partnership to weave game development into science and math education nationwide. They'll collaborate on ongoing training programs, talent development initiatives, and industry competitions designed to build a homegrown gaming workforce.

The effort already has serious momentum behind it. In February 2026, Savvy signed agreements with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education to integrate gaming into general, university, technical, and vocational schools through new curricula and teacher training programs.

The Ripple Effect

This grassroots approach serves Saudi Vision 2030, the country's ambitious economic blueprint treating gaming as a serious driver of high-tech jobs. The government aims to establish 250 local gaming companies and generate 39,000 specialized industry positions by decade's end.

Savvy Games Group, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has already grown to employ over 3,500 people globally. The organization announced plans to invest $38 billion into the gaming ecosystem, and initiatives like this camp provide the talent pipeline to make those investments pay off.

For the young participants, the camp offers something even more valuable than technical skills. Working collaboratively builds creative thinking, communication, and problem-solving abilities that translate far beyond game design.

The best part? Saudi Arabia is proving you can meet young people exactly where their interests already live and turn passion into profession.