Starvania Studios

Country: Saudi Arabia

Founded: 2022

Team Size: 12+

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation (planned)

Status: Active

Overview

Starvania Studios is a Saudi-based indie game studio focused on crafting fantasy universes inspired by Arabian mythology. Its flagship title, Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, launched on PC and Nintendo Switch and is set to expand to additional console platforms.

The studio operates as a multinational remote team and collaborates with Saudi institutions to nurture emerging game development talent.

Games

Intelligence

Starvania Studios represents a new class of venture-backed premium indie developer emerging from Saudi Arabia, combining cultural mythology with institutional capital to pursue console-scale IP from the outset rather than evolving into it.

That starting position is a structural advantage. Early funding and ecosystem alignment reduce survival risk. But it also compresses the timeline. Investors expect visible traction quickly, especially in the console segment where production costs escalate fast and marketing determines visibility as much as design quality.

Funding and Capital Signals

$1.1 million raised in 2025
Investment led by Merak Capital and Impact46
Institutional ecosystem alignment within Saudi Arabia
Capital directed toward production pipeline expansion and talent recruitment
Capital stage: Early venture-backed growth

Strategic Model

Platform direction: Console-first development with cross-platform expansion roadmap
Core genre: Narrative-driven fantasy rooted in Arabian mythology
Audience targeting: Mid-core to hardcore console and PC players
Monetisation approach: Premium title sales with potential franchise expansion
Technology direction: AI-assisted workflows supporting production efficiency
Talent strategy: Structured internship and education partnerships to build workforce capacity
Positioning: Venture-backed cultural fantasy IP studio pursuing prestige console positioning

Performance Signals

Industry award recognition strengthening brand credibility
Successful launch across PC and Nintendo Switch platforms
Active console expansion pipeline targeting additional releases
Distributed 12-person development team managing multi-platform production
Backed by established regional investment firms

Operational Footprint

Core leadership and development operations based in Saudi Arabia
Remote contributors distributed across Europe, MENA and the United Kingdom
Formal partnerships with the Ministry of Media supporting ecosystem alignment
Collaboration with Digipen Institute supporting technical training and talent development

Growth Outlook

Expansion into PlayStation distribution channels
Pipeline scaling supported by recently secured funding
Recruitment of additional development talent
Potential sequel or franchise development depending on launch performance
Strengthening position within Saudi Arabia’s broader creative industry ecosystem

Key People

Meaad Aflah - CEO
Muslih Alzahrani - Co-founder