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“We’re building games that bring Qatari culture to the forefront, giving players, whether in Doha or Tokyo, an experience that’s both authentic and engaging.” For Fadi Soufi, founder and chief executive of COREGAME Studios, that goal has been years in the making. What began as a personal interest in classic video games in the 1990s grew into a career in software engineering and, eventually, into one of the first companies focused on game development companies in Qatar.
Established in 2024 within the ecosystem of Media City Qatar, COREGAME Studios is among the country’s early-stage game development ventures.
The studio is focused on producing original PC games that reflect local identity and creative ambition. Its first title, Beyond Solar, combines science fiction with regional storytelling, offering a perspective not often explored in mainstream gaming.
Why Media City Qatar?
For COREGAME Studios, Media City Qatar offered provided the structure and support needed to turn an idea into a functioning studio. “The entire setup felt effortless. We were guided through each step with clarity and support. It allowed us to focus on what mattered most, which was building the studio,” says Fadi Soufi.
The decision to join Media City Qatar was about more than administrative ease. It was about being part of an ecosystem that values innovation and is actively investing in new industries like gaming. With few established platforms for game development in the country, Media City Qatar created the right environment for COREGAME Studios to grow. It offered visibility, simplified operations, and opened up space for creative and strategic partnerships.
From facilitating exposure at industry events to connecting the team with key players in the region, the support has been practical and consistent. For a new studio working in a growing sector, this kind of access has made a measurable difference.
Beyond Solar: A Game Rooted in Story and Place
COREGAME Studios’ debut game, Beyond Solar, reflects both the team’s technical ambition and its commitment to cultural storytelling. The game blends science fiction with themes drawn from Qatari values and aesthetics, creating a setting that feels both futuristic and regionally grounded.Still in development, Beyond Solar has already been featured at several high-profile events, including Geekdom,Doha Film Institute’s showcase, Mal Lawal Exhibition and Freej Al Fan Festival. The response so far has confirmed what the team believed from the beginning — that there is space for games from this region to offer something new.
For Fadi, the project is a statement about what gaming in Qatar can look like. “We wanted to create something original, something that reflected where we come from without being limited by it,” he says. “The goal was to build a world that feels immersive to global players but familiar to those at home.”From world-building and narrative to visual design, every part of Beyond Solar is being developed in-house by a growing team based in Doha. As one of the first games of its kind in Qatar, it carries the weight of setting a standard — and the promise of encouraging others to follow.
Accelerating Growth Through Support
Since joining Media City Qatar, C OREGAME Studios has seen tangible progress. What once felt like slow, incremental development has gained momentum. “In the last two months alone, we’ve gone from operating at ten percent to seventy,” says Fadi. “Having the right people and support around us has made all the difference.”Media City Qatar’s involvement goes beyond infrastructure and licensing. In August 2024, COREGAME partnered with the Doha Film Institute and Media City Qatar to lead the Geekdom Game Development Workshop, an initiative designed to inspire the next generation of game creators in Qatar. Held over 12 sessions for youth aged 13 to 17, the workshop introduced participants to the fundamentals of game development, including game design, animation, interactivity, and level testing.
For COREGAME, the workshop was a way to contribute to a growing creative sector and to show how local game development can support national goals in innovation and technology.In addition to educational initiatives, Media City Qatar has supported COREGAME through access to strategic partners, visibility at industry events, and a smooth operational setup. This kind of hands-on support has made it easier for the team to focus on development and scale at pace.
COREGAME Studios is focused on completing Beyond Solar and laying the foundation for future projects. Whether or not the debut title becomes a breakout success, it is already serving as a benchmark for what is possible in Qatar’s game development space.
“Being one of the first companies in Qatar to develop games, we feel a responsibility to set a positive example for others,” says Fadi. “The success of Beyond Solar is not just about financial gain. It’s about establishing a role model for other companies and aspiring game developers in the region.”
With a strong team in place and continued support from Media City Qatar, COREGAME is now looking ahead to long-term growth. “If you’re serious about building something in this space, it helps to be in an environment where people understand what you’re trying to do,” Fadi says. “Media City Qatar gave us that. It wasn’t just about getting a license. It was about having the space to work, the support to grow, and the access to people who can help you move forward.”
