By Mohammed Hilili, General Manager, Intelligent Devices Group Gulf, Lenovo
In recent years, we have seen gaming evolve from a niche hobby to a global phenomenon, bringing people together from all corners of the world. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), gaming is undoubtedly a natural fit, where the majority of the population is young and internet-savvy. With the production and sale of video games, gaming hardware, and software constantly on the rise; it is projected that MENA’s digital gaming revenue will reach approximately $6 bn by 2027.
The digital world is truly a matrix of the real world, as research conducted by Lenovo found gamers feel their most authentic self when gaming (58%), followed by socializing with friends and family (52%) and participating in other personal hobbies and interests (46%). With so much importance placed on the gaming industry, the consistent transformation of the industry is crucial to ensure it remains immersive and technically sophisticated.
The rise of mobile gaming
Today, gamers are a versatile and varied group. However, the common thread among all gamers is that, for the majority, their first gaming experience unfolded on a family PC or through a living room TV. While they are immersive, PC and TV gaming often lack the accessibility and convenience that modern gamers seek. In today’s fast-paced world, mobile gaming has become a cultural phenomenon, reshaping the gaming industry as we know it. So much so that 65% of all MENA gaming is concentrated in mobile gaming.
Hardware manufacturers are ready to undertake this revolution, from both a chipset and physical design standpoint. Lenovo’s team has been proactive in understanding this transformation that surpasses the traditional confines of gaming. To remain at the forefront of this trend, Lenovo sought to realign products with these changing needs, ensuring that they remain both relevant and innovative.
Software Agnostic Gaming
Who ‘gamers’ are may have evolved over the years but their collective desire for easily finding and accessing the latest games while enjoying an elevated experience remains strong. This has driven the interest in cloud-powered devices, where the need for game installs, manual downloads, updates, and patches is a thing of the past. Automatic software updates occur without the need for any user intervention, and access to the latest graphics technology in the cloud helps to ensure the device performs optimally even as games evolve over the years. With cloud gaming, users won’t have to keep up with version downloads or purchase physical graphics cards, let alone be up to speed on what some consider to be the complex vernacular of a traditional gaming machine.
The same benefits can be seen in the all-new Legion Space. Specifically designed for the Lenovo Legion Go, Legion Space allows users to quickly access all their game platforms and stores, view all locally installed games, and purchase games through the Legion Game Store in collaboration with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, as well as the Gamesplanet store. All supported game launchers can be grouped together in Legion Space so gamers can get right into the action. This unified access to multiple gaming platforms through Legion Space eliminates the hassle of switching between different applications, providing a smooth and efficient gaming experience. Whether it’s Xbox Game Pass, Steam, or other platforms, Legion Space offers a centralized hub where gamers can effortlessly navigate and enjoy their favorite titles, making gaming a more smooth and enjoyable experience. Legion space also gives gamers the piece of mind to access all games regardless if they are exclusive on certain platforms effortlessly and without having to own a separate console/platform.
Gaming on the go
PC gaming is going through a portable renaissance right now and taking PC games on the go via a handheld gaming device is no longer an impossible dream. Companies have since sought to seamlessly integrate gaming into the on-the-move lifestyle of individuals across the region. Enter Lenovo Legion™ Go, the company’s first Windows gaming handheld device, to give gamers more freedom to game however—and wherever—they want. The Lenovo Legion Go brings the power of Windows 11 to a new mobile form factor, powered by AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme or Z1 processors that bring games to life.
Way forward
With the fusion of innovation, creativity, and technology, the gaming industry has continued to evolve. In the coming period, we will see this industry continue to push boundaries through the immersive potential of virtual reality, the global phenomenon of hand-held PCs, and the creative freedom at the fingertips of hardware and software developers.
