esports

The developers of GeoGuessr, a game that — you guessed it — has people suss out locations based on Google Street View imagery, recently withdrew from the Esports World Cup after angry fans threatened to boycott the game because of the kingdom’s human rights record.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — With the Esports World Cup quickly approaching, the office of the foundation organizing the tournament was buzzing with employees running qualifying matches and finalizing the opening ceremony of the competition with a $70-million prize pool.

“Huge gamification” may be the central ethos of the kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, a $38-billion play that aims to position Saudi Arabia as a “global hub in the games and esports sector by 2030” and to replicate the country’s petrodollar-backed entry into the wider world of sports and entertainment.

The effort goes well beyond hosting this summer’s tournament — the premier esports competition on the planet — or hosting the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2027 for a 12-year term.

Another giga-project near Riyadh, Qiddiya City, is supposed to have a dedicated esports district the size of 17 city blocks, with four arenas and space for esports clubs and gaming companies’ regional headquarters.