Saudi Arabia’s indie gaming scene is gaining momentum, and Starvania Studios is leading the charge. The studio has successfully raised $1.1 million in fresh funding from Merak Capital and Impact46, two of the region’s most active investment firms. This milestone marks a significant step in Starvania’s mission to expand Saudi creativity onto the global gaming stage.
From Indie Beginnings to Global Recognition
Founded in 2022 by Meaad Aflah and Muslih Alzahrani, Starvania quickly earned attention with its fantasy title “Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree.” Released on Steam in 2024, the game draws inspiration from Arabian mythology, combining rich storytelling with immersive gameplay.
The studio’s creative approach has already won accolades, including:
- ✅ Devcom Indie Award for “Graphics Galore”
- ✅ TrueGaming Award Nomination for “Best Saudi Indie Game”
- âś… Best Game Startup at the 2024 MENA Games Industry Awards
These recognitions highlight Starvania’s ability to deliver world-class gaming experiences while staying rooted in regional culture.
What the Investment Means
The new capital will allow Starvania to expand its scope and scale. The funding is set to:
- ✅ Boost PC and Console Development – Building larger, more complex titles for global audiences.
- ✅ Strengthen Production Capabilities – Enhancing the studio’s pipeline for faster, higher-quality output.
- ✅ Recruit Saudi Talent – Nurturing local developers, artists, and storytellers to compete internationally.
By reinforcing both creative and technical foundations, the studio aims to transform its early success into a long-term global presence.
Beyond Gaming: Building Saudi IPs
Starvania is not just about games—it’s about creating fantasy universes with room to grow across multiple industries. The founders envision their worlds expanding into comics, animation, and merchandise, building intellectual properties that resonate far beyond the screen.
This strategy positions Starvania as more than an indie studio. It’s a cultural brand-builder, adding to Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in entertainment and creative economies.
A Boost for Saudi Arabia’s Gaming Ambitions
Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in its gaming and esports ecosystem as part of Vision 2030, aiming to position itself as a global hub for digital entertainment. Starvania’s success is a strong example of this vision in action—local talent creating original IPs that can compete internationally.
With the backing of established investors and a clear creative mission, Starvania is not only building games. It’s shaping the future of Saudi storytelling in interactive media.