Saudi-backed Arena SNK Studios has launched with former Lionsgate exec Erik Feig at the helm as CEO.
The ambitious company, which has close ties to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is aiming to develop franchises based on video games, anime, and “related passionate fandom communities”. The film and TV outfit is also developing “experiential events around the world”.
The board is chaired by prominent Saudi businessman Majid Al-Ibrahim, who also sits on the board of MBC Group. In addition to Al-Ibrahim and Feig, the board also includes former Disney film chief Sean Bailey; Andreessen Horowitz General Partner and leading AI investor Andrew Chen; Epic Games CCO Charlie Wen.
The company says it’s planning to partner with studios and streamers on the distribution of its content. It remains to be seen whether companies will baulk at the prospect of working so squarely with MBS. There’s plenty of Saudi money in the entertainment and media sectors now, so maybe not.
SNK, the video game company of the ‘80s and ‘90s, is home to series including Fatal Fury, King of Fighters, and Metal Slug. The company was recently acquired by Saudi Crown Prince MBS’s MiSK and relaunched with plans across both gaming and experiential.
Feig will become Executive Chairman of Picturestart, the company he has been running since he left Lionsgate as Co-President of the Motion Picture Group, which will remain a standalone company.
The news was first reported by Puck.
This article was published by Andreas Wiseman on 2025-10-14 10:32:00
View Original Post
