Pioneering KSA Gaming Growth: The NEOM and DigiPen Partnership
NEOM Media Industries is at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s gaming industry growth, positioning NEOM as a central player in this transformative journey. With a deep commitment to empowering startups, NEOM provides essential resources and mentorship, fostering a vibrant gaming ecosystem. The recent publishing deal with Fahy Studios marks a significant milestone for NEOM’s Level Up accelerator program, showcasing the high caliber of startups nurtured within its framework. This initiative generates employment, attracts top talent to NEOM, and drives regional gaming innovation. NEOM itself is a bold vision of the future, a living laboratory in northwest Saudi Arabia where entrepreneurship paves the way for a new era of exceptional livability, thriving businesses, and environmental reinvention.
DigiPen Institute of Technology, founded in 1988, is a trailblazer in specialized education, offering degrees that blend the art, engineering, and design aspects of video games and interactive media. With campuses in the United States, Singapore, and Spain, DigiPen has cultivated a global reputation, with alumni contributing to major game studios and driving innovations in interactive technology. Aligned with NEOM Media Industries’ vision, DigiPen plays a key role in the Level Up Accelerator, bringing over three decades of experience in nurturing game development ecosystems. This partnership offers studios personalized mentorship and the essential time needed to mature, ensuring a vibrant and innovative gaming ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Meet Our Mentors
Raymond Yan
Program Director
Senior Executive Vice President of DigiPen Institute of Technology & a veteran in digital interactive technology since 1990. Instrumental in establishing Nintendo Software Technology. Notable for expanding DigiPen’s global footprint with campuses in Singapore and Spain, & since 2021, pivotal in developing Saudi Arabia’s game industry.
Dan Licari
Business DevelopmenT
Over 25 years helping ambitious & innovative companies in emerging technologies such games & immersive tech, to access funding, partners, & support they need to scale up & enter new markets. Sourced commercial & technology partners for hundreds of development firms, as well as for global brands.
David Clark
Business DevelopmenT
Over 30 years in the video game industry, a respected video games industry veteran with board-level, marketing, sales and business development experience. Worked for leading publishers in the UK and the USA, was a founding director of Green Man Gaming & has successfully run his own industry consultancy business for some 15 years.
Kristina Frolova
Marketing
Managing Partner & CEO at Global Gaming Hub. Recognized for radical innovation in AI & ML. Supported numerous startups leading ventures to significant exits & unicorn-level successes. Her forte is strategic growth, game launches & global expansion
Joseph Saade
Production Management
Operations Manager at DigiPen Institute of Technology with over 17 years in the industry. Experience in scaling startup operations, leading production & engineering teams
Samir Abou Samra
Software Engineering
CTO International at DigiPen Institute of Technology, an accomplished executive & educator in game development technology, showcasing proven leadership in R&D & game development. Successfully delivered solutions to renowned companies such as The Boeing company, Renault F1, Nintendo software Technology, & Namco
Shawn Pitman
Game Design
Led Game Design teams for over 20 years. As both a designer and a writer, he’s released multiple titles in many genres & platforms for studios big & small.
Nusrat Shah
Financial Management & Legal
Chartered Certified Accountant since 2000 with over 20 years of global & C-level board experience. Experienced in a wide range of business functions, including operational, financial, HR, compliance, M&A, & change management. Ms. Shah’s illustrious career includes a decade as CFO/COO in the Mobile/Video games industry.
Vincent Ghossoub
Business Development
Dynamic Founder & CEO of Nifty Craft & the driving force behind Falafel Games as its former CEO & current chairman. Experience in raising funds & scaling gaming studios regionally.
Christopher Mifsud
Game Design
Renowned leader in game design & development, is the CEO of Play On Words Studios & a consultant with Press Start Leadership.
John Hermanowski
ArT
With extensive experience as an Art Lead, Director, Educator, and Consultant, John has played pivotal roles in establishing studios, from building small startups to leading AAA character teams. He has also managed numerous outsourcing partnerships for AAA IPs. John’s expertise spans the entire production spectrum, from the initial visual development of IPs to creating and documenting art pipelines. His experience includes studios such as Square-Enix, Capcom, Nintendo, DigiPen, and Microsoft.
Amir Shojaei
ART
Amir Shojaei is a distinguished leader in the gaming industry with over 15 years of experience as a Creative Director, Principal Art Director, and Technical Art Director. His career spans top gaming companies like Riot Games, Wizards of the Coast, Valve Corporation, and Blizzard Entertainment. Amir specializes in VFX, environments, and visual design, expertly balancing complex engine and pipeline demands while leading diverse art teams from ideation to live game development. Known for his optimism and empathy, Amir excels in mentoring teams and managing creative processes, making him a respected figure in game art direction.