Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Starvania Studios, the award-winning indie game development studio, has secured a $1.1 million strategic investment from Merak Capital and Impact46. The funding will enhance the studio’s production capabilities, accelerate the development of high-quality console and PC games, and expand recruitment of top Saudi gaming talent.
Founded in 2022 by Meaad Aflah and Muslih Alzahrani, Starvania quickly established itself as a creative force in the gaming industry. Its breakout title, Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree—a fantasy game inspired by Arabian mythology—launched on Steam in 2024 after the team’s participation in the NEOM Level Up Accelerator. The title earned international recognition, winning the Devcom Indie Award for “Graphics Galore”, receiving a nomination for the TrueGaming Award for “Best Saudi Indie Game”, and securing the Best Games Startup Award at the MENA Games Industry Awards.
Starvania’s mission extends beyond traditional gameplay, focusing on building immersive, fantasy-rich universes that can evolve into comics, animation, and merchandise. With this new funding, the studio plans to scale its development pipeline, strengthen operational infrastructure, and position itself for global competitiveness while nurturing Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing gaming ecosystem.
“This investment marks a pivotal moment in our journey to build world-class fantasy games rooted in depth and creativity,” said Meaad Aflah, CEO and Co-founder of Starvania Studios. “Our goal has always been to tell stories that feel both epic and deeply personal. With the backing of Merak Capital and Impact46, we now have the resources to expand our development pipeline, grow our team, and push creative boundaries.”
The deal highlights the rising interest in Saudi Arabia’s gaming industry, home to over 24 million gamers (67% of the population). Supported by government initiatives, regulatory backing, and private sector investment, the Kingdom is executing an ambitious strategy to become a global hub for game development, publishing, and esports by 2030.
