The Arab world has a rich culture and heritage that has inspired many video games over the years. Here is a list of the best Arab-inspired games for all platforms:

Battle of Kings

Battle of Kings is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed and published by Tamatem. The game features a variety of Arabic-inspired characters and environments, and it has quickly become one of the most popular games in the Arab world.

VIP Baloot

VIP Baloot is a multiplayer card game developed and published by Tamatem. The game is based on the popular Middle Eastern card game Baloot, and it features a variety of social features, such as chat and voice chat.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

Assassin’s Creed Origins is an action role-playing game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. The game is set in Ptolemaic Egypt, and it follows the story of Bayek, an Egyptian Medjay who is seeking revenge for the murder of his son. Assassin’s Creed Origins is known for its stunning visuals, its massive open world, and its engaging story.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is an action-adventure game developed and published by Ubisoft. The game is set in ancient Persia, and it follows the story of the Prince, who must use the Sands of Time to prevent the evil Vizier Jaffar from taking over the kingdom. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is known for its innovative gameplay, its unique art style, and its epic story. 

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is an action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game is set in the Arabian Peninsula, and it follows the story of Nathan Drake, who is searching for the lost city of Ubar. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is known for its stunning visuals, its thrilling action sequences, and its charming characters.

These are just a few of the best Arab-inspired games for all platforms. With their rich culture and heritage, the Arab world is a great source of inspiration for video games. I hope this list has helped you to find some new games to enjoy.

About us:

Tamatem Games is committed to helping the Arabic mobile gaming market reach its full potential. By localising popular mobile games, publishing original Arabic mobile games, supporting eSports, and investing in Arabic mobile game development, Tamatem Games is playing a key role in shaping the future of Arabic mobile gaming. Our most popular games include Fashion Queen, VIP Baloot and Battle of Kings. In addition, card players from across the MENA region have been enjoying our in-depth card game, VIP Jalsat.

The Arab world is home to a thriving video game industry, with a growing number of high-quality games being developed and released each year. Here is a list of the top 10 Arab games that you should play in 2023:

Battle of Kings

Battle of Kings is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed and published by Tamatem. The game features a variety of Arabic-inspired characters and environments, and it has quickly become one of the most popular games in the Arab world.

VIP Baloot

VIP Baloot is a multiplayer card game developed and published by Tamatem. The game is based on the popular Middle Eastern card game Baloot, and it features a variety of social features, such as chat and voice chat.

Fashion Queen

Fashion Queen is a fashion simulation game developed and published by Tamatem. The game allows players to create their own fashion designs, and it features a variety of real-world fashion brands. In addition, Fashion Queen is one of the Arab World’s most downloaded games of all time.

VIP Jalsat

VIP Jalsat is a multiplayer chat app developed and published by Tamatem. The app allows users to create their own chat rooms and invite friends to join. VIP Jalsat is one of the most popular chat apps in the Arab world.

Girls’ Secrets

Girls’ Secrets is a social media game developed and published by Tamatem. The game allows players to create their own avatars and interact with other players. Girls’ Secrets is one of the most popular social media games in the Arab world.

About us:

Tamatem Games is committed to helping the Arabic mobile gaming market reach its full potential. By localising popular mobile games, publishing original Arabic mobile games, supporting eSports, and investing in Arabic mobile game development, Tamatem Games is playing a key role in shaping the future of Arabic mobile gaming. Our most popular games include Fashion Queen, VIP Baloot and Battle of Kings. In addition, card players from across the MENA region have been enjoying our in-depth card game, VIP Jalsat.

The Middle East is a growing market for gaming companies, but it is also a challenging one. The region has a young and growing population, but there are also a number of cultural and regulatory hurdles that gaming companies need to overcome.

One of the biggest challenges is that the Middle East is a very diverse region, with a wide range of cultures and religions. This means that gaming companies need to be careful to develop games that are appropriate for all audiences. For example, some games that are popular in the West may be considered offensive in the Middle East. Tamatem Games tackles this by creating many localised versions of mobile games that suit the Middle Eastern palate.

Another challenge is that the Middle East is a relatively new market for gaming. This means that there is not as much of a gaming culture in the region as there is in other parts of the world. Gaming companies need to invest in educating consumers about gaming and its benefits. This is where the role of Tamatem Games comes into play; from changing the names and attributes of certain items as well as changing the UX/UI of games to match the Arabic language’s Right-to-Left nature.

Despite these challenges, there are a number of reasons why gaming companies should consider expanding into the Middle East. First, the region has a young and growing population. Over half of the population in the Middle East is under the age of 30. This means that there is a large pool of potential gamers in the region.

Second, the Middle East is a wealthy region. The GDP per capita in the Middle East is higher than the global average. This means that there is a lot of disposable income in the region that can be spent on gaming.

Finally, the Middle East is a rapidly urbanising region. By 2050, it is estimated that 80% of the population in the Middle East will live in cities. This urbanisation is creating a large and growing middle class with disposable income.

Gaming companies that are able to successfully overcome the challenges of the Middle East market are well-positioned to capture a significant share of this growing market. Partnership with local companies such as Tamatem ensures companies will help you to navigate the cultural and regulatory landscape of the region.Tamatem also localises games into Arabic. This will make your games more accessible to gamers in the region. Tamatem also market games through local channels. This could include social media, television, and print advertising.

About us:

Tamatem Games is committed to helping the Arabic mobile gaming market reach its full potential. By localising popular mobile games, publishing original Arabic mobile games, supporting eSports, and investing in Arabic mobile game development, Tamatem Games is playing a key role in shaping the future of Arabic mobile gaming. Our most popular games include Fashion Queen, VIP Baloot and Battle of Kings. In addition, card players from across the MENA region have been enjoying our in-depth card game, VIP Jalsat.

The rivalry between Sega and Nintendo is one of the most iconic in the history of video games. The two companies have been competing for market share since the 1980s, and the Arab world has been no exception.

In the early 1990s, Sega was the dominant player in the Arab world. The company’s Mega Drive console was popular with gamers of all ages, and its games, such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Street Fighter II, were huge hits.

However, Nintendo made a major push into the Arab world in the mid-1990s with the release of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). The SNES was a more powerful console than the Mega Drive, and its games, such as Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country, were also very popular with gamers.

As a result of Nintendo’s push, the market share for the SNES began to grow in the Arab world. By the late 1990s, the SNES had become the most popular console in the region. In the early 2000s, Sega released the Dreamcast console, which was a more powerful console than the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox. However, the Dreamcast was not a commercial success in the Arab world.

Nintendo, on the other hand, continued to be successful in the Arab world with the release of the GameCube and the Nintendo DS consoles. The GameCube was not as popular as the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox, but the Nintendo DS was a huge hit in the region. In the 2010s, Nintendo continued to be successful in the Arab world with the release of the Wii and the Nintendo 3DS consoles. The Wii was very popular with families, and the Nintendo 3DS was popular with gamers of all ages.

Today, Nintendo is the clear market leader in the Arab world. The company’s Switch console is the most popular console in the region, and its games, such as Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, are huge hits.

Why did Nintendo win in the Arab World?

There are a few reasons why Nintendo won in the Arab World. First, Nintendo has a strong brand presence in the region. The company’s characters, such as Mario and Pikachu, are very popular with gamers of all ages.

Second, Nintendo consoles are known for being family-friendly. The company’s games generally lack any graphic content. This makes them appealing to parents who are looking for safe and educational entertainment for their children. Finally, Nintendo consoles are relatively affordable (at least at the time). This makes them accessible to gamers from all income levels.

Nintendo has been the dominant player in the Arab world for over two decades. The company’s consoles and games are popular with gamers of all ages, and its brand presence in the region is very strong. It is unlikely that Sega will be able to challenge Nintendo’s dominance in the Arab world in the near future.

About us:

Tamatem Games is committed to helping the Arabic mobile gaming market reach its full potential. By localising popular mobile games, publishing original Arabic mobile games, supporting eSports, and investing in Arabic mobile game development, Tamatem Games is playing a key role in shaping the future of Arabic mobile gaming. Our most popular games include Fashion Queen, VIP Baloot and Battle of Kings. In addition, card players from across the MENA region have been enjoying our in-depth card game, VIP Jalsat.

By Rick W. Hindi

While the Middle East hasn’t been a prominent backdrop in gaming narratives, a growing number of games have begun making their mark in recent years. Gaming has become a significant industry in the region, with more developers featuring characters and settings from the Middle East in their video games.

From bustling urban centres like Istanbul to Casablanca, you’ll find video game cafés adorned with the familiar PlayStation logo or life-sized posters of heavily armed characters promoting games like Call of Duty. In gaming tournaments, competitors from the Middle East have excelled, with some earning substantial prize money, such as Saudi gamer Mosaad al-Dossary, who earned over $560,000 in FIFA tournaments.

Despite gaming’s widespread popularity as a hobby in the Middle East, representation within video games has been lacking. Non-white protagonists are still scarce in leading roles, but this is gradually changing with titles like Yakuza and Life is Strange. Characters and settings from the Middle East are even rarer, often reduced to two-dimensional villains or anonymous targets for players to engage with.

Nevertheless, there are exceptions to this trend. Here are five video games that draw inspiration from the Middle East:

Prince of Persia: This iconic game series, dating back to 1989, gained mainstream attention with its 2003 “Sands of Time” reboot. It stands out as one of the few games featuring a Middle Eastern protagonist and a storyline set in the region. Despite a long hiatus, the franchise remains noteworthy, with an upcoming remake and an interesting standalone release in 2008.

Journey: In this game, you control an unnamed character traversing desert landscapes, interacting with other players through non-verbal communication. The game is rich in religious symbolism, creating an immersive and thought-provoking experience. Although not explicitly in the Middle East, I couldn’t help but wonder but link it to the terrain of Southern Jordan, from the desert steppes to the bitter mountains. 

Assassin’s Creed Origins: The series initially ventured far from the Middle East, but it returned in 2017 with “Origins,” set in ancient Egypt. The story follows a desert patrolman named Bayek of Siwa, entangled in a conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. It also features an educational “discovery tour” mode, transforming the game into an interactive museum.

Heaven’s Vault: This game takes place in a North African/Middle Eastern-inspired setting and follows archaeologist Aliya Elasra as she unravels a hieroglyphic script of a lost civilization. Choices you make mould the protagonist’s personality, adding depth to the narrative.

Civilization VI: This turn-based strategy game includes the historical character Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire. The game successfully incorporates Middle Eastern figures and history into its gameplay, providing a well-rounded experience. 

These games offer a glimpse into the potential for storytelling and representation in the gaming industry, highlighting the rich history and culture of the Middle East. 

About us:

Tamatem Games is committed to helping the Arabic mobile gaming market reach its full potential. By localising popular mobile games, publishing original Arabic mobile games, supporting eSports, and investing in Arabic mobile game development, Tamatem Games is playing a key role in shaping the future of Arabic mobile gaming. Our most popular games include Fashion Queen, VIP Baloot and Battle of Kings. In addition, card players from across the MENA region have been enjoying our in-depth card game, VIP Jalsat.

By Rick W. Hindi

Video games have long been a popular form of entertainment, and with the rise of the internet and social media, they have become more popular than ever before. While video games have traditionally been dominated by Western characters and settings, recent years have seen a growing trend towards diversity and inclusion. This has led to the creation of a number of iconic characters in video games from the Middle East.

In no particular order:

Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad

Video game: Assassin’s Creed series

Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad is the protagonist of the first Assassin’s Creed game. He is a master assassin who is tasked with recovering nine Pieces of Eden, powerful artefacts that could be used to control humanity. Altaïr is a skilled warrior and a complex character who is struggling to come to terms with his past. Although his nationality isn’t mentioned (the concept of sovereign nations wasn’t as established in the early 1100s), it’s heavily implied that he’s from the Levant, particularly modern day Syria, especially the very real, the very much there, and the very Assassin-lore heavy city of Masyaf, seat of the Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins. 

Prince of Persia

Video game: Prince of Persia series 

The fan-favourite and often nameless Prince of Persia is the protagonist of the Prince of Persia video game series (He’s named Dastan in the 2010 film). He is a skilled acrobat and swordsman who is often tasked with saving his kingdom from evil. The Prince is a classic video game hero who has been captivating gamers for decades. In no version of the game does the Prince however speak Farsi or any of the languages from modern day Iran. 

Fun Fact: In Iran, the iconic video game “Prince of Persia” is commonly referred to as شاهزاده‌ی ایران, which translates to “Prince of Iran.” The literal translation of the title would be شاهزاده‌ی فارس, signifying “a Prince hailing from the region of Pars or Persia.” However, it is worth noting that Westerners often employ the terms “Pars” and its Latin derivatives, such as Persia in English or Perse in French, to denote what we, as Iranians and Persian-speaking individuals, recognise as Iran. For additional information, read this amazing article. 

Saladin

Video game: Age of Empires II 

Saladin is a playable character in the Age of Empires II video game. He is a skilled military leader who led the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem in 1187. Saladin is a respected historical figure who is also a powerful video game character and needs no introduction. 

Rashid 

Video game: Street Fighter series 

Rashid Alazam is a playable character in the Street Fighter video game series. Possibly Saudi, most definitely a socialite (and a flirt) who is also a skilled fighter. Rashid is a unique and interesting video game character who has been praised for his diversity and representation.

These are just a few of the many iconic Arab characters in video games. These characters are helping to break down stereotypes and promote a more diverse and inclusive gaming industry.

About us:

Tamatem Games is committed to helping the Arabic mobile gaming market reach its full potential. By localising popular mobile games, publishing original Arabic mobile games, supporting eSports, and investing in Arabic mobile game development, Tamatem Games is playing a key role in shaping the future of Arabic mobile gaming. Our most popular games include Fashion Queen, VIP Baloot and Battle of Kings. In addition, card players from across the MENA region have been enjoying our in-depth card game, VIP Jalsat.

We asked our colleagues at Tamatem Games in Amman which Dark Souls bosses they hated the most, and the results were… enlightening. Here are the top 5 and why they’re so terrible:

Bed of Chaos:

This boss is a platforming nightmare. You have to jump across collapsing platforms, avoid falling into pits, and dodge fire and laser beams, all while trying to hit a giant eyeball. It’s like a Mario game, but with the added danger of getting one-shotted by a giant, angry sphincter.

Gwyn, Lord of Cinder:

This boss is a pushover, but only if you know how to parry. If you don’t, Gwyn can be a real pain in the … you know. He’s very fast and aggressive, and his attacks can do a lot of damage. Plus (not Tamatem Plus), he has a nasty habit of healing himself when you hurt him. It’s like fighting a toddler with a sword and shield, who also happens to be immortal.

Four Kings:

This boss fight is just plain boring. You fight the same boss four times in a row, with no real variation between the fights. It’s like watching the same episode of your favourite TV show four times in a row, but with more darkness and despair.

Sanctuary Guardian:

This boss is way too easy to cheese. You can easily stand in one spot and spam your bow, and the boss will never be able to touch you. It’s like fighting a toddler with a Nerf gun, but with more flying feathers and less laughter.

Ornstein & Smough:

This boss fight is notoriously difficult, but it’s also one of the most fun in the game. Ornstein is fast and agile, while Smough is slow and heavy. This forces you to constantly adapt your strategy and be on your toes. But even though the fight is challenging, it’s also fair. It’s like fighting a couple of drunk frat bros, who are both armed with pool cues

These are just a few of the worst Dark Souls bosses, according to our poll. While every player will have their own opinion on the matter, these bosses are generally considered to be some of the most unfair and frustrating in the entire series.

There are a few reasons why these bosses are considered to be so bad. First, some of them are just plain unfair. The Bed of Chaos is a random mess of a boss fight, and Gwyn is too easy to parry. Second, some of these bosses are just too repetitive. The Four Kings are essentially clones of each other, and the Sanctuary Guardian is very boring to fight. Finally, some of these bosses are just too difficult. Ornstein & Smough are a very challenging boss fight, and many players find them to be too overwhelming.

What’s the deal with Ornstein & Smough?

Ornstein & Smough is a boss fight that is often both loved and hated by players. Some players find the fight to be a challenging but fair test of their skills, while others find it to be too difficult and frustrating.

One of the things that makes Ornstein & Smough so difficult is that you have to fight two very powerful bosses at the same time. Ornstein is a fast and agile knight, while Smough is a slow and heavy tank. This means that you have to constantly be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to dodge attacks from both bosses at the same time.

Another thing that makes Ornstein & Smough so difficult is that they have a lot of health. This means that the fight can take a long time, and it’s easy to get impatient and make mistakes.

However, despite its difficulty, Ornstein & Smough is also a very well-designed boss fight. The two bosses have different movesets and abilities, which forces the player to adapt their strategy throughout the fight. Additionally, the fight against Ornstein & Smough is very visually appealing, and it is a real challenge to overcome.

Overall, the worst Dark Souls bosses are the ones that are unfair, repetitive, or too difficult. While every player will have their own opinion on the matter, the bosses listed above are generally considered to be some of the worst in the series.

About us:

Tamatem Games is committed to helping the Arabic mobile gaming market reach its full potential. By localising popular mobile games, publishing original Arabic mobile games, supporting eSports, and investing in Arabic mobile game development, Tamatem Games is playing a key role in shaping the future of Arabic mobile gaming. Our most popular games include Fashion Queen, VIP Baloot and Battle of Kings. In addition, card players from across the MENA region have been enjoying our in-depth card game, VIP Jalsat.

Baloot is a popular card game in the Middle East. It is a four-player game played with a 40-card deck. The goal of the game is to win more points than the other team by scoring tricks. There are several ways to score points, including winning tricks, having certain cards in your hand, and declaring sequences. The team that reaches 152 points first wins.

To deal the cards, the dealer shuffles the deck and deals each player 8 cards. The remaining cards are placed face down in a pile in the center of the table.

To bid, the player to the dealer’s left starts by bidding a number of tricks they think they can win. The next player can either bid higher, pass, or double the previous bid. Bidding continues until all players have passed or doubled.

The player who won the bid leads the first trick. Players must follow suit if they can, but can trump if they cannot. The highest card of the led suit wins the trick. The winner of the trick leads the next trick.

There are several ways to score points in Baloot. Players score points for winning tricks, having certain cards in their hand, and declaring sequences.

• Winning a trick is worth 1 point.
• Having the King of Spades (K♠) in your hand is worth 10 points.
• Having the Queen of Spades (Q♠) in your hand is worth 5 points.
• Declaring a sequence of three or more cards in the same suit is worth 1 point for each card in the sequence.

The first team to reach 152 points wins the game.

Here are some additional rules of Baloot:

• A player cannot lead a trump card unless they are forced to.
• If a player cannot follow suit, they must trump if they can.
• If a player cannot follow suit or trump, they can discard any card.
• The player who wins the last trick of the round scores an additional 10 points.

Baloot is a fun and challenging game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to spend time with friends and family. For the full list of rules on how to play the game and to learn about our popular mobile game, VIP Baloot, click here.

About us:
Tamatem Games is committed to helping the Arabic mobile gaming market reach its full potential. By localising popular mobile games, publishing original Arabic mobile games, supporting eSports, and investing in Arabic mobile game development, Tamatem Games is playing a key role in shaping the future of Arabic mobile gaming. Our most popular games include Fashion Queen, VIP Baloot and Battle of Kings. In addition, card players from across the MENA region have been enjoying our in-depth card game, VIP Jalsat.