In a landmark deal for Saudi Arabia’s gaming industry, Impact46, one of the Kingdom’s most active venture capital firms, has acquired Kammelna, a homegrown game development studio, for $53 million (SAR 200M+). The move is being hailed as a turning point for culturally inspired digital entertainment in the region.
Kammelna: The Digital Home of Baloot
Founded in 2009 by Bader Al Zamil in Dammam, Kammelna has become synonymous with Baloot, the iconic Saudi card game. The studio’s success speaks for itself:
- ✅ 6 million+ downloads of its flagship game
- ✅ 1 million monthly active users consistently engaged
- ✅ 150,000 players in single tournaments, underscoring its cultural impact
- ✅ A team of 40+ professionals across engineering, design, and product development
Kammelna isn’t just a game studio. It has evolved into a digital community where Saudi heritage and modern gaming intersect, making it the Kingdom’s largest independent gaming employer.
Impact46’s Biggest Bet Yet
The deal marks Impact46’s largest investment to date, signaling strong confidence in the future of culturally rooted intellectual property (IP).
“This deal is a turning point not just for Saudi gaming, but for what it means to invest in culturally grounded, scalable IP,” said Abdulaziz Al Omran, Founder and CEO of Impact46.
The acquisition was announced on August 23 at the New Global Sports Conference (NGSC25), held alongside the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. This was a fitting stage to highlight Saudi Arabia’s growing global ambitions in gaming and esports.
What’s Next for Kammelna
With Impact46 backing it, Kammelna now aims to expand its portfolio beyond Baloot while keeping culture at the heart of its strategy. CEO Bader Al Zamil emphasized the mission:
“Our cultural games deserve world-class digital experiences. Partnering with Impact46 marks an exciting new chapter to expand our reach and build more games that carry the spirit of our culture to players everywhere.”
With fresh capital and strategic support, the studio is expected to:
- ✅ Develop new culturally inspired games for regional and global audiences
- ✅ Scale existing titles with advanced features and richer gameplay
- ✅ Explore global publishing opportunities to take Saudi games abroad
- ✅ Strengthen its talent base and innovation capacity
A Win for Vision 2030
The acquisition also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which aims to make gaming and entertainment central to the Kingdom’s diversification agenda.
Impact46 itself manages SAR 2.3 billion in assets, including a dedicated gaming-focused fund, and has a strong track record of successful exits like Rasan and Jahez, both listed on Tadawul.
Bottom Line: The Impact46–Kammelna deal is more than an investment. It’s a statement that Saudi Arabia is ready to lead in gaming by blending cultural heritage with scalable innovation. For the Kingdom, it’s another bold step toward becoming a global gaming hub.