Sheikh Studios: The First Indie Game Developer in Saudi Arabia — Building Games for Saudis, Not Just Markets

The Story of Our Founder: Sheikh Shahabuddin

Born in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Shahabuddin grew up with a love for creativity and storytelling. But when he first looked at the world of game development in KSA, there was no path to follow. No studios, no indie scene, and little recognition for local.

Instead of giving up, he decided to build the path himself. Together with his brother Arsalan and cousin Waqas, he founded Sheikh Studios — the first indie game developer in Saudi Arabia.

From this vision came Kabsa Man, the first-ever Saudi-inspired indie game. It became a cultural breakthrough, crossing 1000+ downloads and proving that Saudi culture, humor, and creativity could inspire games with global reach.

Reference (Kabsa Man) -> https://lnkd.in/dVkvyJjY

Reference (SAE Jeddah) -> https://lnkd.in/dfE73vF8

What started as a dream soon became a movement. With the support of collaborators like Naji Kabbali and Munir, and the continuous encouragement of CEO Durre Sameen Amir and CTO Abdul Hannan Fiaz, Sheikh Studios grew from a small team of dreamers into a real force in the industry.

Today, as Vision 2030 fuels a massive boom in gaming and esports, Sheikh Shahabuddin is returning to his roots in Saudi Arabia when international giants like EA Sports entering Saudi, the world is finally recognizing the Kingdom’s potential. But Sheikh Studios carries something unique: authenticity. Born here, raised here, and building for here.

🎯 As Sheikh Shahabuddin says: “Saudi Arabia isn’t just a market — it’s the future of gaming. And Sheikh Studios is here to pioneer that future.”