Sandsoft is closing its studios in Barcelona and Riyadh.
Around 65 staff work across the two offices, with around 40 in Barcelona and 25 in Riyadh. All employees working on internally developed games will be affected, but those working in publishing are safe, we’re told.
[UPDATE: Sandsoft has confirmed to us that up to 21 staff will be laid off.]
Sandsoft is also looking to transition some of the affected team members into publishing roles, but it’s too early to say whether there will be many – or indeed any – suitable positions.
With the closure of two internal development studios, the Saudi-owned publisher is effectively pulling out of game development entirely, and focusing purely on publishing.
Sandsoft CEO David Fernández told us: “Sandsoft is doubling down on publishing, an area of our business where we’ve already demonstrated significant growth and see significant opportunities for future success.”
“As part of this strategic shift, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our internal studios in Barcelona and Riyadh. We deeply appreciate the team’s creativity and dedication, and we’re fully committed to supporting everyone through this transition.”
A spokesperson added: “This isn’t about the quality of work or talent at these studios – our teams have been incredible. It’s really about concentrating our resources where we can have the biggest impact and build sustainable growth. After reviewing our business performance over recent months, we realised publishing is where we excel and where our future lies.”
Sandsoft opened its Riyadh studio in 2022, and then snapped up Madbox, Socialpoint and Gameloft veteran Alexandre Besenval to lead its new Barcelona studio in 2023. Earlier that same year, Sandsoft Games CEO David Fernández told us that he had a five year plan to become the Middle East’s mega publisher.
“Our ambition is to be a leader in the mobile games industry, from our region to the world, in the same way that you have in the US not just mobile, but larger organisations – you have the Activisions, you have the Take-Twos, you have Electronic Arts,” he told us. “Looking to China, you have Tencent and you have NetEase. We want to be one of those.”
He also clarified the company’s ownership: Sandsoft is part of a wider network of businesses owned by a Saudi family, but is not part of the Public Investment Fund – the one behind Scopely owner Savvy Gaming Group. Sandsoft is involved in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy overall, though.
“There is a big country plan around the games industry,” Fernández told us. “We are part of that. It’s a combination of our own resources and how the country can support Sandsoft Games as well.”
