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Sandsoft opens new studio in Riyadh

New location to become the company's headquarters

Mobile game company Sandsoft has announced the opening of a new development studio in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The new developer will be led by head of studio Yahsir Qureshi, previously executive producer at the company. Prior to joining Sandsoft, Qureshi spent almost five years at EA as senior lead product manager on FIFA Ultimate Team, and also worked at Natural Motion on Dawn of Titans.

Sandsoft Riyadh will be the company's new headquarters, with the team "committed to nurturing local talent," the announcement said, also unveiling a paid internship programme called Press Start.

The initiative will target "emergent KSA talent" and provide support and resources for them to develop their own games.

Sandsoft was created in 2020 at the initiative of Saudi clothing and real estate firm Ajlan & Bros. It is headed by King veteran David Fernandez as CEO and Rovio alumnus Miikka Lindgren as head of publishing. Since its creation, Sandsoft has been working on licensed titles Rambo: Strike Force and Pacific Rim: Breach Wars.

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Marie Dealessandri

Deputy Editor

Marie Dealessandri joined GamesIndustry.biz in 2019 to head its Academy section. A journalist since 2012, she started in games in 2016 at B2B magazine MCV. She can be found (rarely) tweeting @mariedeal, usually on a loop about Baldur’s Gate and the Dead Cells soundtrack. GI resident Moomins expert.