Bruce Dias 
Across the Middle East, gaming tastes entering 2026 reflect a region balancing global influence with strong local identity. Sports titles, competitive esports, and mobile-first games continue to dominate conversations from Riyadh to Manama, driven by a young, connected audience that follows both international leagues and regional creators.
What stands out is how quickly preferences evolve. New releases gain traction fast, but only when they respect language, culture, and play habits. For publishers and platforms, success increasingly depends on understanding why certain games stick while others fade just as quickly.
From Console to Mobile
Gaming ecosystems now extend beyond consoles and PCs into always-on mobile experiences. Discussions around platforms, accessibility, and regulation often surface alongside game popularity.
Mainstream favourites remain rooted in familiar genres. Football simulations tied to European leagues, tactical shooters with strong esports scenes, and social multiplayer titles dominate playtime across devices. Their appeal lies in community—friends squads, local tournaments, and shared viewing habits across streaming platforms.
Other genres are also gaining traction. Thanks to improvements in technology, gambling games are now available in the Middle East. These games were once near-impossible to access, but the rise of offshore sites and VPN-friendly casinos has allowed players to start enjoying real-money games from Gulf states. There is a full list of online casinos Bahrain based players can access, that offer fast crypto payouts and strong privacy protections.
Crypto-First Gaming
One defining trend for 2026 is trust-driven design. In restrictive markets like Saudi Arabia, crypto-enabled casino and P2E platforms have drawn attention by offering anonymity and rapid blockchain withdrawals, while promoting provably fair systems to reassure sceptical users. These mechanics mirror a broader expectation among gamers that systems should be transparent and verifiable.
Localisation is another decisive factor. Arabic-language interfaces, culturally familiar themes, and even Arabic-speaking live dealers on some platforms have raised engagement levels in the UAE and Bahrain. Across genres, language support can be as influential as graphics or gameplay depth.
AI Personalisation
The rise of AI-driven personalisation is reshaping how players discover and stick with games. New entrants are experimenting with recommendation engines that adapt to short mobile sessions, suggesting modes or challenges that fit a user’s daily routine.
Augmented reality (AR) elements, particularly live interactive features, are also gaining ground as hardware improves. Worldwide, the AR gaming market was worth around $14.2 billion in 2024, but this is set to reach a staggering $141.7 billion by 2030, so we can definitely expect to see more of this technology in future game releases.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, favourite games in the Middle East for 2026 will likely be those that blend competitive depth with cultural fluency. Titles that support Arabic natively, respect regional norms, and embrace mobile-first innovation are best positioned to lead.
For developers and publishers, the message is clear. Popularity here is earned through relevance and reliability, not just brand recognition. As technology pushes forward with AI and immersive features, the games that succeed will be those that feel designed for the region, not merely adapted to it.
