SHOTBALL: Saudi Youth Game Shines at Esports World Cup
Image used for illustrative purpose. Photo: SPA
Riyadh: At the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, a young Saudi developer, Faisal Alhashem, introduced his new game called SHOTBALL. The game caught the attention of visitors with its fresh idea and creative style, showing the growing talent of Saudi youth in the gaming world.
Faisal explained that SHOTBALL took more than two years to build, starting back in October 2022. The game is still being tested and does not yet have an official release date. He said the goal is to make the game better step by step so that players get the best experience.
SHOTBALL was developed by his company, Holodot, which focuses on making electronic games. Faisal received strong support on social media and financial help that pushed the project to an advanced stage.
The idea of SHOTBALL started in a business incubator program. Faisal said it began as a joke between friends: “What if we mix FIFA with Call of Duty?” After testing the mix of football and shooting gameplay, they discovered a fun and unique experience.
In SHOTBALL, players control a ball using weapons inside a fast and exciting game environment. The game is designed in Arabic to connect with Saudi players and highlight local creativity.
Visitors at the Esports World Cup can try the new version of SHOTBALL during the tournament, from today until Saturday. This gives players a chance to test the game and share their feedback.
Faisal said his dream is to create the first Saudi-made esports game that competes on a global level. “This is more than a game,” he said. “It’s the start of a journey where Saudi youth can leave their mark on the gaming industry.”
SHOTBALL is part of a bigger movement in Saudi Arabia, where many young creators are stepping into fields like gaming, art, and technology. With projects like this, the Kingdom is building its place as a leader in global innovation and esports.
