Activision, in partnership with the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), marked the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 in Saudi Arabia with a high-energy event at SEF Arena, BLVD City, Riyadh, on Friday, November 14, 2025. Timed with the game’s global release, the launch underscored Saudi Arabia’s rapid rise as a key gaming and esports market, driven by a young, highly engaged player base.
The event brought together gamers, content creators, and media from across the Kingdom to experience the latest chapter in the Black Ops franchise. Attendees explored new gameplay features such as the enhanced Omni movement system, the introduction of the Wall Jump mechanic, and the return of Round-Based Zombies, featuring the largest Zombies map ever seen in the series.
Opening the ceremony, Abdullah Alnasser, Head of Esports Product at SEF, highlighted the Kingdom’s growing role in the global esports ecosystem. “Hosting the official launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 in Riyadh is a proud moment for our community and a testament to the Kingdom’s growing position as a global esports hub,” he said on the launch.
“Call of Duty has long set the benchmark for competitive shooters, and seeing this next chapter unfold at SEF Arena reflects our commitment to partnering with world-leading publishers and bringing exceptional gaming experiences to players in Saudi Arabia and across the region.”
Activision emphasised the strategic importance of the region, noting Saudi Arabia’s influence within the wider Middle East gaming landscape. “With a young, highly engaged audience and a deep passion for competitive gaming, Saudi Arabia has become a key player in the Middle East’s gaming ecosystem,” said Nora Bajes, Communications Territory Lead, Activision.
“Riyadh provided the ideal platform to connect with local communities while representing the wider Middle East, signalling a long-term commitment to the region’s players, creators, and esports culture,” she said.
To ensure cultural relevance, Activision integrated localisation across its communications and in-game experiences. “This includes Arabic media alerts, community messaging, and blogs, as well as dedicated Call of Duty Arabic channels on TikTok and Instagram that use the Saudi dialect to authentically connect with players,” Bajes said.
“In-game, key cultural moments such as Ramadan or Eid are celebrated through dedicated bundles. Saudi players are also represented at global events like Call of Duty Next, highlighting the region’s growing influence on the global stage,” she added.
A key highlight of the launch was an influencer-led showdown featuring 12 of the region’s leading gaming personalities. Creators including Abu Najd, GAMER SNACK, oCMz, 25KlOoODE, Fareed, and VirusGG competed in a live 6v6 multiplayer battle. Divided into two teams—The Guild and JSOC—The Guild emerged victorious after an intense final round, with team members Abdullah Reviews, CANCEL, Aziz, Xzit Thamer, LLE, and LeoNoHero.
Commenting on the role of creators, Bajes said: “Content creators are key to driving campaign impact and reaching highly engaged gaming audiences through authenticity and trust. Influencers bring their unique voice, passion for Call of Duty, and deep community connections, making messages resonate more than traditional brand posts.”
Through close collaboration with local influencers and a strong focus on cultural authenticity, Activision positioned the Black Ops 7 launch as a milestone in its ongoing engagement with the Middle East’s gaming community.
Read more: Official Launch Of Keeta’s On-Demand Delivery Operations In The Kingdom Of Bahrain
