Saudi Arabia’s Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC) has acquired a 5% stake in Japanese video game conglomerate Capcom, the label behind new survival-horror blockbuster Resident Evil Requiem and the iconic Street Fighter IP. This acquisition doesn’t constitute Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s only stake in Capcom; the Saudi PIF, also led by Salman, holds an additional 5.03% stake in the Resident Evil studio.
According to Arab News (via Insider Gaming), the EGDC’s new 5.03% stake is entirely separate from the Saudi PIF’s existing 5% stake. The company claims its latest investment is just that — “pure investment” — and plans to profit from Capcom’s rising stock price following the record-setting sales of Resident Evil Requiem. The new stake is in addition to the existing 5 percent stake that the Saudi Public Investment Fund previously purchased.
A new report from GameBiz (via Automaton) says the Saudi monarch owns EGDC through the MiSK Foundation (Mohammed bin Salman Foundation). That organization, in turn, now owns 100% of Japanese game developer SNK Corporation (Fatal Fury; King of Fighters) and online games provider Nexon Co., after investing an eye-watering $1.2 billion back in 2022.
All in all, Capcom and Electronic Arts comprise just some of Saudi Arabia’s colossal media investments. The Saudi PIF also holds stakes in Activision Blizzard and Nintendo. At the same time, Saudi-owned mobile game label Scopely bought Pokémon GO maker Niantic for $3.5 billion in March 2025, just over one year ago. Scopely was established in 2011 and became a PIF subsidiary in 2023.
Saudi entertainment investments spark censorship, ethics concerns
These recent and substantial Saudi gaming investments are emblematic of the region’s continued interest in global media and entertainment; Saudi involvement continues to raise questions among longtime fans and industry experts regarding studios’ creative control, censorship, industry monopolization, conflicts of interest, and more.
Salman’s spending power and growing industry presence aren’t the only cause for concern among audiences and sector experts. The Saudi ruler has long faced accusations of human rights violations. In 2019, the United Nations (UN) released a report alleging “the state of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is responsible” for the death of Saudi journalist and outspoken government dissident, Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia denies involvement.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to Outrun Gaming for more information as it becomes available.
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