Fahy Studios, a Saudi Arabian mobile game developer, has completed a $1.75 million funding round led by Impact46 and Merak Capital. The investment will accelerate the studio’s development of hybrid casual games designed for global audiences.
The Riyadh-based company emerged in early 2023 under the leadership of co-founders Hani Hashem, Owis Alsaour, and Fahad Alshibl. Within months of its formation, the development team gained acceptance into NEOM’s selective LevelUp accelerator program, which helped transform their independent operation into a structured studio.
Strategic Partnerships Drive Growth
Beyond the recent capital injection, Fahy Studios has established a publishing alliance with Kwalee, providing access to specialized knowledge in player acquisition, revenue optimization, and international game distribution. This partnership complements the studio’s internal capabilities in game design, artwork, and software development.
“Today’s mobile gamers want more than fleeting experiences. They seek games that are easy to pick up but offer meaningful progression. Our goal is to create games that are instantly fun yet endlessly rewarding” ~ Hani Hashem, CEO and Co-founder.
Game Portfolio Spans Multiple Genres
The studio’s development pipeline features three distinct titles targeting different player preferences. RAWR represents an extensive monster-collecting role-playing game incorporating unique combat systems, strategic depth, and narrative elements. Footy Traps delivers competitive football gameplay emphasizing tactical decision-making and player rankings.
The third project, Heist Party, introduces multiplayer dynamics where participants can collaborate or compete against each other while pursuing virtual rewards. Each title reflects the studio’s hybrid casual approach, combining straightforward mechanics with substantial content depth.
Investor Confidence in Saudi Gaming Market
Impact46’s Managing Partner Basmah Al Sinaidi expressed optimism about the investment opportunity. “Fahy is one of the unique Saudi studios that possess great potential. We are looking forward to backing the team and their visionary approach to create exceptional games and experiences” she stated.
Abdulelah Alshareef, VP of Venture Capital at Merak Capital, emphasized the broader industry implications. The gaming sector in Saudi Arabia continues evolving rapidly, with domestic studios gaining recognition for their creative output and technical capabilities.
Market Fundamentals Support Expansion
Saudi Arabia’s gaming landscape includes more than 24 million active players, representing approximately 67% of the nation’s population. Local consumers demonstrate higher spending patterns compared to international gaming markets, creating favorable conditions for domestic developers.
Global gaming revenue projections indicate substantial growth potential through 2030, making strategic investments in development and publishing increasingly valuable for establishing regional market leadership. Industry analysts predict continued expansion across mobile gaming segments worldwide.
Building Global Reach from Regional Base
Hani Hashem, CEO and Co-founder, outlined the company’s expansion strategy following the funding announcement. “This investment fuels our mission to push the boundaries of mobile gaming, expand our production capabilities, and attract top talent to the Kingdom” he explained.
The studio’s ambitions extend beyond regional success, targeting international markets through games designed for universal appeal. This approach aligns with broader economic diversification initiatives within Saudi Arabia’s technology sector.
Fahy Studios plans to utilize the new capital for team expansion, production scaling, and enhanced development infrastructure. The funding enables accelerated timelines for current projects while supporting research into emerging gaming technologies and player engagement strategies.