Tech advances in Saudi Arabia in 2025 that will enhance the customer experience

It’s well known that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has big plans when it comes to leading the field in tech and digital advancements in the next few years. With many ambitious projects in progress and on the horizon, what does this mean for the end user’s experience in 2025? 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, in a country where entertainment options in the physical realm were very limited until recent years, the population of KSA is one of the biggest in the world for playing and engaging in video games. And this young, tech-savvy population exemplifies users that need to be stimulated and satisfied through competition, rewards and recognition, hungry for the next big thing.

This means the brands using video games as a medium to communicate with their consumers, must understand the psychological science behind gamification if they want to succeed. Already in the region, some giga-project developments, including KAFD and  Diriyah have a presence in the game Fortnite, where branded experiences merge physical with virtual realities, and this trend seems set to continue in 2025 as Saudi Arabia evolves. 

Gaming and monetisation will continue to be closely linked, but become more refined. Consumers are happy to pay to play, allowing them to engage with others in their community, create and decorate avatars and gift others or receive gifts; this is a trend set to grow in 2025. Shrewd brands in this sector will focus on advertising or sponsoring with the highly captivated and engaged users game, leading to a growth in revenue and longer-term brand association. 

However, collecting data will be as important, if not more so. Knowing what makes their consumers tick and understanding their wants and needs will drive the delivery of an improved, enhanced, bespoke customer service that will, in turn, generate loyalty, advocacy and a strengthened brand dedication and long-term monetisation. 

Immersive digital experiences will still play a major role in consumer entertainment in the coming years. We have already seen millions of Saudis create online community avatars for themselves and engage with others in the entertainment arena. This will become more mainstream, as large organisations offer incredible benefits, rewards and experiences for joining and being leaders in their branded online entertainment communities. 

Thanks to the huge Saudi investment in, and rise in popularity of, mainstream sports, including football and the Saudi Pro League; tennis, where the recent World Tennis Association women’s final was held in Riyadh in November 2024; as well as newer sports like padel, the sports sector will continue to encourage consumers to invest their time and money. 

The coming years will see more big sports events held in the country, including the recently announced FIFA World Cup 2034, as well as a growth of physical attendance at sports events. This will inevitably create a buzz around becoming and remaining a loyal fan and give this new generation of sports lovers digital solutions to become more deeply connected to the sport, their teams and rewarded for their loyalty.

With the growth in being part of a team or fanbase, subscription-based models are bound to evolve in online entertainment communities in 2025 – something that is already proven to work in Western countries. When people are spending more time and money on cultural or sports entertainment, they will ultimately demand better value. This would translate into monthly or annual subscriptions, creating lasting relationships, a sense of belonging, exclusivity and loyalty, whilst receiving bonuses of early access booking, discounts or exclusive events admission.

There is much to be excited about in the entertainment sector for Saudi Arabia in 2025, both for the brands and companies that are creatively using tech and digital solutions to push the sector forward, and for the consumer, who will enjoy an ever more rewarding and engaging customer experience.

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