Riyadh-based game development studio Fahy Studios has closed a <head>.75 million funding round led by Impact46 and Merak Capital, as the two-year-old startup works toward its ambitious goal of building hit global games from Saudi Arabia.The investment will help Fahy accelerate development of its pipeline of hybrid-casual mobile games, which blend accessible gameplay with deeper engagement mechanics. The studio’s current active pipeline includes RAWR, an expansive monster-collecting RPG with unique battle mechanics and deep meta elements; Footy Traps, a fast-paced PvP football strategy game; and Heist Party, a chaotic multiplayer heist game where players can team up or betray each other in a race for the biggest loot.The company’s website lists two more games: Smash & Dash (a car-smashing street racing game), Town Hero (an adventure RPG), but they are not actively working on these anymore.Founded by Hani Hashem, Owis Alsaour, and Fahad Alshibl in early 2023, Fahy graduated from NEOM’s LevelUp accelerator program and has since partnered with UK publisher Kwalee for global distribution. The studio’s focus on hybrid-casual games represents a growing segment that combines the accessibility of casual mobile games with more engaging, longer-term gameplay elements.“Today’s mobile gamers want more than fleeting experiences. They seek games that are easy to pick up but offer meaningful progression,” said Hani Hashem, CEO and Co-founder of Fahy. “Our goal is to create games that are instantly fun yet endlessly rewarding.”“We’re redefining what casual gaming can be by blending accessibility with depth,” the company states on its website, positioning itself as part of Saudi Arabia’s push to become a major gaming hub.The funding comes at a time when Saudi Arabia’s gaming market is experiencing rapid growth. With over 24 million gamers representing 67% of the population, the Kingdom has one of the highest gaming penetration rates globally, and local spending per player exceeds international averages.Basmah Al Sinaidi, Managing Partner at Impact46, said, “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.”Abdulelah Alshareef, VP of Venture Capital at Merak Capital, highlighted the investment’s significance for the Kingdom’s gaming ambitions: “Mobile gaming is a high-growth sector, and Fahy Studios is uniquely positioned to create experiences that engage players worldwide. Our investment reflects our commitment to fostering the growth of Saudi Arabia’s gaming sector.”The studio plans to use the capital to expand its development team and production capabilities as it works to establish Saudi Arabia as a competitive force in global game development. Fahy also has ambitions to evolve into a full-fledged publisher, according to its website.AuthorRecent Posts Post Views: 3,220