On December 14, 2024, Circle of Games (COG), a leading player in the global multi-gaming sector, made a monumental entry into the MENA region during the prestigious Global Game Show at the Grand Hyatt Exhibition Centre in Dubai. Backed by Nazara, an established name in the gaming industry, COG aims to reshape the casual gaming landscape while merging the traditional Web2 space with emerging Web3 technologies. This initiative not only marks a significant step for the company but also heralds a transformative period for casual gaming across the Middle East and North Africa.
At the launch event, notable figures from the gaming industry gathered, including Yat Siu, the esteemed Chairman of Animoca Brands, who delivered a key presentation emphasizing COG’s groundbreaking integration of casual gaming and blockchain. His address encapsulated the essence of COG’s vision — not simply offering games, but creating an innovative system where technology enhances the gaming experience. The event showcased a variety of popular games, including Ludo, Fruit Slash, and 8-Ball Pool, capturing the attention of gaming enthusiasts and industry leaders alike.
One of the central themes of Siu’s keynote was the flexibility that Web3 introduces. By leveraging blockchain, COG is onboarding gamers into a decentralized ecosystem that prioritizes user ownership and engagement. As players venture into this new territory, the integration of these technologies is poised to redefine the dynamics of how games are developed, distributed, and consumed.
A critical element of Circle of Games’ expansion strategy lies in its ambitious partnerships with influential corporations across various markets, designed to tap into a massive user base exceeding 500 million across more than 50 countries. Such alliances not only enhance COG’s capacity for user acquisition but also bolster its competitive stance in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The event included live demonstrations that highlighted COG’s cutting-edge functionalities, showcasing multi-chain integrations and superior user experience. These innovations are not merely features; they represent COG’s commitment to providing seamless gameplay while satisfying a broad audience that ranges from traditional gamers to Web3 aficionados. Given their impressive statistic of over 500,000 registered users already on board, COG aims to catapult this number to 25 million by the end of 2025.
Circle of Games is not merely entering the MENA market; it has laid out an extensive expansion roadmap that emphasizes significant growth in the upcoming years. Scheduled launches in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain in Q1 2025, and Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco in Q2 2025, highlight COG’s strategic foresight to dominate the Web3 gaming ecosystem. The ambitious user acquisition targets of 7.5 million users by 2025, 18 million by 2026, and an astonishing 25 million by 2027, underline their commitment to becoming a leading platform in the region.
CEO Rabilal Thapa expressed confidence in these initiatives, stating, “Today marks a significant milestone for Circle of Games as we expand into the MENA region. With our robust ecosystem, strategic partnerships, and an experienced team, we are committed to delivering an unparalleled gaming experience for users worldwide.” This assurance underscores the company’s focus on building a game-centric community that thrives on engagement and interaction.
As Circle of Games takes its first steps into the MENA landscape, it is important to view this venture not solely as a business expansion but as a pivotal movement within the gaming sector. Developed by industry veterans from influential companies like Zynga and PlaySimple, COG’s commitment to innovation positions it at the forefront of the casual gaming market. By weaving Web3 technology into casual gaming, COG sets itself apart not only as a purveyor of entertainment but as a harbinger of a new standard in gaming.
With this launch, the groundwork is laid for a future where casual gaming and advanced technology coalesce to provide users with an experience that is not just enjoyable but transformative. The strategic foresight, keen partnerships, and commitment to user-friendly innovation promise to create a vibrant gaming community in the MENA region and beyond. As we look toward the horizon, it becomes clear that Circle of Games is not simply entering the fray; it is poised to lead it.