• Saudi GFX promotional key art

Sponsored By: U.S. Department of State - U.S. Embassy in Riyadh

Building the 21st Century Saudi Game Developer

All Seminars:

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

In each of these interactive workshops, games industry 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.

Over six online seminars learn how to set up your game, and your studio, for Commercial Viability, develop Persuasive Pitches, design successful ESports Competitions, and create Marketing Strategies that help your games Define, Reach, and Engage your target audience.

All are welcome to attend. Game professionals who will find these seminars beneficial include:

  • Independent game developers
  • Early-stage studios
  • Gaming entrepreneurs
  • Esports professionals
  • Marketing professionals
  • University students
  • High school students
  • Anybody interested in the business side of game development

Seminars

Business Success for Game Creators

July 19, 2026: 19:00 - 21:00 (KSA)

Presenter: Mike Fischer

A strategic overview of the current condition of the games industry and how creators can ensure the best business success for their careers, their studio, and their games. Real-world examples illustrate key business concepts. Learn the fundamentals of a business plan.  Understand the unique aspects of business plans for a game studio and game project that distinguish them from other ventures.

Learning Objectives

  • Why it is important for creators to understand business fundamentals
  • How to identify the unique winning factors for your studio/game and how to effectively commnicate them
  • Pro tips for ensuring your game and your studio will not fail
  • Able to create a strategic plan for their business
  • Able to create a game/studio budget
  • Able to understand the fundamentals of video game business models

Preparation/Materials Needed

  • None required

Assignment/Activity

  • Interactive assignment work with instructor support (includes Q&A)
  • Students will create a simple business plan for a video game. They can use a real project they are working on, or simply create a set of assumptions for a hypothetical game to use as the basis for creating a business plan.

Interactive Pitch Workshop (Includes Q&A)

July 20, 2026: 19:00 - 21:00 (KSA)

Presenter: Mike Fischer

We will learn and practice how to make an elevator pitch. Understand the keys to effective communication for a video game business or game idea.

Learning Objectives

  • Fundamentals of key pitch communication.
  • Structure of a pitch.
  • Format of a pitch deck.

Preparation/Materials Needed

  • None required

Assignment/Activity

  • Students will take a 15-minute break to compose an elevator pitch of about two minutes in length.  This will just be an open talk, with no requirement to create visual materials. Then each participant will share that idea with the group.  This does not have to be a pitch for the participants' real game.  They can pitch a real game from the past, or a hypothetical game they can imagine ad hoc.

Fundamentals of Esports

July 21, 2026 - 19:00 (KSA)

Presenter: Jordan Whitaker

Fundamentals of Esports.

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Structure of Competition Design in Esports

July 26, 2026 - 19:00 (KSA)

Presenter: Jordan Whitaker

Structure of competition design in Esports.

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Planning Your Market Strategy

July 27, 2026 - 19:00 (KSA)

Presenter: Jon Hanson

Planning Your Market Strategy.

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Implementing Your Market Strategy

July 28, 2026 - 19:00 (KSA)

Presenter: Jon Hanson

Implementing Your Market Strategy.

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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

Prof. 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

Bios

Mike Fischer

Mike Fischer is a legendary executive in interactive entertainment, having held senior positions at Amazon, Microsoft, and top video game companies, including CEO of Square Enix America. He has led the publishing strategy for some of the biggest video game franchises, including Fortnite, Final Fantasy, Tomb Raider, Halo, Gears of War, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Mike is also a General Partner at the new Gaming venture capital fund: Firstpoint VC, and a faculty member in the interactive media department at the University of Southern California.

Professor Jordan Whitaker

Professor Jordan Whitaker is a leading expert in the field of esports and digital sports. He is an active consultant in esports, most recently serving the Esports World Cup Foundation with the planning and execution of the New Global Sport Conference, 2025. Professor Whitaker's core skill set is in direct "doing" of esports, including managing teams and players, event management, program management, and coaching. Professor Whitaker is a known driver of academic and competitive program development, having developed courses and serving as adjunct faculty for Syracuse University (remote), and George Mason University (in-person). Professor Whitaker is developing an online esports course for West Virginia University, and is the Head Coach & Co-Coordinator at Northern Virginia Community College (8x NJCAA National Champs, recipient of a Congratulatory Letter from the Governor of Virginia). He has been coaching at the highest level of college/university play in League of Legends for over 7 years. Professor Whitaker holds the honor of recently becoming a NASEF Mentor upon completing my time as a selected NASEF Fellow.

Jon Hanson

Jon Hanson runs Skill Tree Marketing where he helps game studios build growth systems that generate repeatable revenue and avoid quiet launches. Skill Tree has helped deliver over $3B USD for their customers and partners. Before Skill Tree, Jon has worked at WB Games and EA, leading game growth.

Dr. David Whittinghill

Dr. David Whittinghill is the Head of Game Development at Purdue University, the Program Director for the Saudi GFX Program, and was a Senior Gameplay and UI Programmer on Saints Row (2022). Dr. Whittinghill designed the Game Development program at Purdue University and is an award-winning educator who has taught thousands of students during his teaching career. Dr. Whittinghill has developed plant growth chamber simulations to support NASA's preparation for the planned George W. Bush-era Moon/Mars missions. He has developed simulations for US naval threat modeling, Veterans Affairs cancer treatment facility design, and digital anti-tampering vector modeling, among many others. He has published over 40 academic journal articles and conference proceedings.

Schedule

  • Week 1 - 19-21 July 2026
  • Week 2 - 26-28 July 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

Submissions

Submit your activity packets using the links below

Mike Fischer

Professional portrait photo of Mike Fischer smiling
  • Business Success for Game Creators
  • Game Pitch Interactive Workshop
Submit Mike's Activity Packet

Prof. Jordan Whitaker

Professional portrait photo of Professor Jordan Whitaker
  • Fundamentals of Esports
  • Structure of Competition Design in ESports
Submit Jordan's Activity Packet

Jon Hanson

Professional portrait photo of Jon Hanson
  • Planning Your Market Strategy
  • Implementing Your Market Strategy
Submit Jon's Activity Packet

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for the workshops?

Do I register for each individual workshop separately?

A single registration provides you access to all workshops. You will use the same link to access all workshops.

When is the registration deadline?

Before the start of the workshop series on .

I missed the deadline. What do I do?

If you missed the registration deadline, you can still attend the workshops, but priority will be given to registered participants for review and critique; activity packets will not be accepted from non-registered participants.

Will the workshops be delivered in English only?

Yes.

What is the attendance cap?

Up to 500 participants can attend each workshop.

What video platform will be used?

Zoom will be used for the video/webinar conferencing.

Will the sessions be recorded?

Yes, but only for archival purposes.

Will the recorded sessions be made available later?

No. The material delivered during these seminars is the product of our instructors expertise and is intended to be shared in an interactive setting.

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

Yes. You are not required to discuss your game or submit workshop activity packets to attend the workshops. Participate in the workshops, learn from the experts, and use what you learn on your next game.

Who can participate?

All are welcome.

What will I learn?

See the seminar descriptions above in the workshops section.

Will "certificates of completion" be provided for workshop attendance?

No. However, activity/assignment packets can be submitted for instructor review and critique. These packets will be ranked according to each instructor's evaluation criteria. The team members who submit the highest rank packet will earn a "Winner" certificate issued by Purdue University.

Can I submit an activity packet for dedicated instructor review and critique?

Yes, however, as each instructor's time is finite, each will review and critique a maximum of 12 activity packets. In the event more than 12 packets are received for a given instructor, reviewed packets will be selected at random.

How do I submit an activity packet for instructor review and critique?

Activity packets should be submitted via the submission link above. Only valid Google GMail addresses are allowed to submit a packet. Use the link associated with each instructor above. E.g. for a marketing packet click the link to Jon Hansen, etc.

What kind of email addresses are allowed for submission?

Only valid Google GMail addresses are allowed to submit a packet. Use the link associated with each instructor above. E.g. for a marketing packet click the link to Jon Hansen, etc.

What is the maximum activity packet submission limit per instructor?

One packet per instructor. No file can be larger than 10MB up to 10 files can be submitted per packet. Zip files are preferred.

How will I know if my team or I earned a "Winner" certificate?

You will be notified via email if you or your team has earned a "Winner" certificate. The winning individuals or teams will be posted on this website.

How many "Winner" certificates will be issued?

Three. One for each instructor.

Can a team submit an activity packet or only individuals?

A team can submit an activity packet. Include each team member's name in your packet. Note that teams will be "sanity checked" for token members seeking a certificate - each team member should have a well-defined role on the team.

My team earned a "Winner" certificate. Does each team member receive a certificate?

Yes. Include each person's name in your packet. Note that teams will be "sanity checked" for token members seeking a certificate - each team member should have a well-defined role on the team.

I earned a "Winner" certificate. Will you spell my name right?

We will try our very best. Please include your name how you want it to appear on your certificate.

I earned a "Winner" certificate. How will I receive it?

Certificates are in PDF form and will be emailed to the email address provided during registration.

I earned a "Winner" certificate. When will I receive it?

Certificates will be emailed by

I earned a "Winner" certificate. Can you place a link to our project on the Saudi GFX website?

Yes! Let us know the URL you would like us to link to.

Do I have to attend an instructor's entire workshop to be eligible for a "Winner" certificate?

Strictly speaking, no, as individual attendance is not tracked. However, it is unlikely your packet will be competitive without attending the instructor's workshop and will therefore not have the knowledge required.

What is the review criteria for activity packet ranking?

To discourage "gaming the metrics" these criteria are not disclosed publicly. You are encouraged to attend, listen, and engage with each instructor's workshop. This will provide you what you need.

When are activity packets due?

Refer to the Schedule section for specific due dates. Due dates vary by workshop, as the specifics of each are different. As a rule of thumb, activity packet are designed to be completable in a few hours of dedicated effort; submission deadlines will reflect this.

Are AI-generated activity packets accepted?

Yes, however this defeats the purpose of the activity packet - which is to teach you the material through active engagement. It is recommended that you create your own original content for the best results.

I still have questions. Who can I contact?

Email help@saudigfx.org

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

About 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.

Program 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 Delivered 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

U.S. Embassy in Riyadh logo
Purdue Games Innovation Lab logo
Purdue Polytechnic Institute logo

Didn't find what you were looking for?

help@saudigfx.org