Mr. Nayef Al-Thubaiti, Head of the General Studies Department at the Technical College in Jeddah, confirmed that the traditional view of electronic games as a means of entertainment only has changed radically, as the world is witnessing a major transformation that recognizes them as an effective educational tool and a promising economic industry that opens up multiple professional horizons for young people.
General context: Global transformation and national vision
The video game sector is no longer just a consumer market; it has become a massive global industry whose market value exceeds that of the film and music industries combined. In this context, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched the “National Strategy for Gaming and Esports,” an ambitious step aimed at making the Kingdom a leading global hub for this sector by 2030. This strategy is an integral part of Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify income sources, build a knowledge-based economy, and provide quality job opportunities for its citizens.
Skills development and education improvement
Al-Thubaiti explained that integrating video games into school curricula represents a qualitative leap in teaching methods. Instead of relying on memorization and rote learning, the student becomes an active learner who interacts with information and experiences it firsthand. This interactive and simulating environment provided by educational games directly contributes to enhancing 21st-century skills, most notably:
- Critical and analytical thinking: Games require players to analyze complex situations and evaluate available options.
- Problem-solving: Students face challenges and obstacles that require them to come up with strategic solutions to overcome them.
- Decision-making: Students learn to take responsibility for their decisions and see their immediate results within a safe game environment.
- Cooperation and teamwork: Many games are designed to be team-based, promoting communication skills and teamwork.
It is expected that schools will include classes dedicated to the use of educational games under the supervision of teachers, so that they are linked to the curriculum in areas such as history, science and mathematics, making the learning process more fun and attractive for the digital generation.
Economic importance and future impact
On the economic front, Al-Thubaiti emphasized that this trend will have significant positive effects on the Kingdom. The gaming industry opens up diverse career paths that extend beyond mere gameplay, encompassing programming, graphic design, art direction, digital marketing, and event and tournament management. He added that growing government support for the sector, investment in developing local studios, and training national talent are all factors paving the way for a robust industry capable of competing globally.
This investment not only attracts foreign investment but also enhances local and cultural content. The Kingdom has a genuine opportunity to produce games that reflect its culture and history and compete in a vast Arab market seeking relevant content. Thus, video games are no longer merely a form of entertainment, but have become an influential educational tool and a promising economic driver, playing a pivotal role in achieving the Kingdom's sustainable development goals.
