Building the 21st Century Saudi Game Developer

Saudi GFX

-- Summer Virtual Seminar Series --

-- Game Monetization Workshop and Competition --

-- July 19-21, 2026 --

-- July 26-28, 2026 --

Winners Announced: August 2, 2026

JOIN US ONLINE

Summer Virtual Workshop Series

Game Monetization Workshop and Competition

Join us online for the Game Monetization Workshop and Competition. In this seminar series, you will learn from leading experts in Game Business Success, ESports, and Game Marketing.

In each of these interactive workshops, experts Mike Fischer, Jordan Whitaker, and Jon Hanson will not only teach the industry's best practices but follow up with interactive activities that help cement your understanding of each topic.

Earn certificates! Upload your assignments for critique and ranking by a panel of industry experts. Each participant that submits a valid assignment will receive a COMPLETED certificate. The top ranked assignment will receive a WINNER certificate, and the second and third-ranked assignments will receive FINALIST certificates.

JOIN US ONLINE

Speakers

All Saudi GFX Program speakers are seasoned developers with deep experience in the games industry in the US and around the world.

Professional portrait photo of Mike Fischer smiling.

Mike Fischer CEO, Game Go Global
Former CEO, Square Enix America

- Business Success for Game Creators
- Game Pitch Interactive Workshop

Professional portrait photo of Professor Jordan Whitaker

Professor Jordan Whitaker ESports Professional and Educator

- Fundamentals of ESports
- Structure of Competition Design in ESports

Professional portrait photo of Jon Hanson

Jon Hanson Founder, Skill Tree Marketing

- Planning Your Market Strategy
- Implementing Your Market Strategy

Professional portrait photo of Dr. David Whittinghill

Dr. David Whittinghill Head of Game Development, Purdue University
Senior Programmer Saints Row

- Saudi GFX Program Director

Schedule

Week 1 - 19-21 July 2026
Week 2 - 26-28 July 2026
Week 3 - 2-3 August 2026

Week 1 Workshops - 19-21 July 2026

SUNDAY 19 July 2026 - (7:00 PM KSA) Workshop: Business Success for Game Creators

Business Success for Game Creators
Instructor : Mike Fischer

MONDAY 20 July 2026 - (7:00 PM KSA) Workshop: Game Pitch Interactive Workshop

Game Pitch Interactive Workshop
Instructor : Mike Fischer

TUESDAY 21 July 2026 - (7:00 PM KSA) Workshop: Fundamentals of ESports

Fundamentals of ESports
Instructor : Jordan Whitaker
Week 2 Workshops - 26-28 July 2026

SUNDAY 26 July 2026 - (7:00 PM KSA) Workshop: Structure of Competition Design in ESports

Structure of Competition Design in ESports
Instructor : Jordan Whitaker

MONDAY 27 July 2026 - (7:00 PM KSA) Workshop: Planning a Marketing Strategy

Planning Your Marketing Strategy
Instructor : Jon Hanson

TUESDAY 28 July 2026 - (7:00 PM KSA) Workshop: Executing a Marketing Strategy

Executing Your Marketing Strategy
Instructor : Jon Hanson
Winners Announced - 2 August 2026

MONDAY 2 August 2026 - (7:00 PM KSA) Announcement: The Winners

WINNER and FINALIST certificate winners posted on www.saudigfx.org

MONDAY 3 August 2026 - (7:00 PM KSA) Announcement: Certificates Emailed

All certificates mailed

Frequently asked questions

Should I attend even if I don't have a game in progress?

Yes. You do not have to submit workshop assignments to attend the workshops. Participate in the workshops, learn from the experts, and use what you learn on your next game!

What certificates can I earn?

Complete and submit the in-session workshop assignment. Valid packets (no AI slop, please) earn the base COMPLETED certificate.

How does the competition work?

Workshop assignment submissions are reviewed and ranked by a panel of expert judges. The highest ranked submission earns a WINNER certificate. The second and third ranked submissions earn a FINALIST certificate.

How will I receive my certificates?

A PDF of the certificate will be sent to you via email?

Will I receive a printed certificate?

No. PDF only.

What name will be on my certificate?

Be certain to include the EXACT spelling - in English - of how you want your name to appear on your certificate.

THE 2025 MASTERCLASS WINNING TEAMS

FIRST PLACE

RENAD ALHARBI

RANDA ALJOHANI

RAZAN ALJOHANI

DENIZ CETINALP

MELISA CETINALP

MOHAMMAD NOOR

SECOND PLACE

SAIF ABUSETTA

RAZAN ALBALHARETH

FAISAL ALMUSHARAF

DAREEN ALOUFI

MASHAEL ALSALEEM

LUJAIN FELEMBAN

YAHYA SENDI

RUNNERS UP

ABDULLAH AJAM

NASSER ALMOHAMMADI

TEAF ALMATROUK

REEMA ALOTAIBI

SALEM ALRADDADI

ASIM ALREHAILI

SAWSAN DABAN

ABDULRAHMAN HELAL

Saudi GFX

Saudi GFX is a project funded by the US Embassy in Riyadh, led by the Purdue University School of Applied and Creative Computing, and delivered by a cadre of seasoned US game developers.

Goals

Nurture the game development ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region
Create commercially viable, Saudi-based, interactive games and media
Establish new game development companies in the Saudi/MENA region
Strengthen existing game development companies in the Saudi/MENA region
Encourage people from around the world to come to live and work in Saudi Arabia/MENA
Build relationships between the Saudi and US game developer ecosystems
Create games that celebrate and share with the world elements of culture, history, geography or life in general in the Saudi/MENA region
Craft narrative experiences that highlight women and minority empowerment in the region

Saudi GFX Events

All Events Delivereds By Seasoned US Game Developers

2026/07 - Game Monetization Workshop and Competition
2026/03 - Trip to Game Developer Conference (GDC) 2026
2025/07 - Four Weeks of MasterClasses at Purdue University in the US
2025/04 - Riyadh Portfolio Workshop
2025/03 - Trip to Game Developer Conference (GDC) 2025
2025/01 - Pitch Competition
2024/12 - Free webinars led by US games industry professionals

Global Partnership

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