Why did Saudi Arabia capture Pokémon Go? episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 14, 2025 · 13 MIN

Why did Saudi Arabia capture Pokémon Go?

from What in the World · host BBC World Service

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has agreed to pay $3.5 billion to buy the gaming division of Niantic, the Pokémon Go publisher. It’s the latest in a string of entertainment and gaming investments by the PIF. BBC tech reporter Tom Gerken tells us why the Saudi government is spending billions on gaming and what the Kingdom stands to gain from it.Plus: BBC Arabic’s Abdirahim Saaed explains where the PIF gets its money and why the gaming scene is so big in Saudi Arabia right now. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 14, 2025

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Why did Saudi Arabia capture Pokémon Go?

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