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Why did Saudi Arabia capture Pokémon Go?

The Kingdom is becoming a major player in gaming.

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. ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ 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: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Arabic’s Abdirahim Saaed explains where the PIF gets its money and why the gaming scene is so big in Saudi Arabia right now.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden
Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

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13 minutes

Last on

Sat 15 Mar 2025 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 14 Mar 2025 18:50GMT
  • Sat 15 Mar 2025 03:50GMT

Podcast