Starvania Studio’s Meaad Aflah Is Reviving Arab Mythology For A New Generation Of Gamers

A decade ago, choosing to become a game developer in Saudi Arabia wasn’t exactly a safe bet. But for Saudi entrepreneur Meaad Aflah, passion outweighed predictability.

“I started learning game development in 2013 while studying computer information technology,” Aflah tells Inc. Arabia. “A few years after working as a project manager, I realized I wasn’t fulfilled. So, I quit my well-paying job to pursue my dream of building games.” 

That decision led Aflah to the Center of Digital Entrepreneurship's Game Changers incubator in 2021, an initiative by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, where she met her co-founder, industrial engineer Muslih Al-Zahrani. “We shared the same vision of building something meaningful for the region’s gaming industry,” Aflah recalls, and together, they established Starvania Studio in 2022, an indie game development studio based in Riyadh. 

Starvania Studio has since grown from a team of four to 15 and taken part in global programs, including NEOM Level Up, a regional initiative nurturing creative talent and innovation within Saudi Arabia’s gaming ecosystem, GAME BCN, a Southern European video game accelerator providing training and mentorship that helps studios launch to market, and GameFounders, an accelerator supporting early‑stage indie studios in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Through participating in these various programs, Starvania developed Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, its debut fantasy game inspired by Arabian mythology that released in 2024 on Steam (the leading global platform for personal computer gaming), which is also set for console launches later in 2025, including Nintendo Switch. “Our journey has taken us around the world, connecting with industry leaders, signing a publishing deal, and earning major recognition,” Aflah says, while highlighting wins like her enterprise being named Best Game Startup at the MENA Industry Awards in 2024, as well as Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree winning in the Graphics Galore category during devcom (Europe's biggest game developer event) that same year.

A visual from Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree.

But the company’s achievements go beyond awards, with Starvania also gaining the trust of investors. In August 2025, the indie studio secured US$1.1 million from Merak Capital and Impact46, two of Saudi Arabia’s most active investors in gaming and creative tech. The investment will fuel the studio’s mission of building fantastical worlds that extend beyond gaming while expanding its production pipeline and helping to grow its team. It also represents the first step to achieving Starvania’s mission of doing more than just making games. “Ultimately, our vision extends beyond games.," Aflah says. "We want to grow our worlds into complete entertainment experiences through comics, animation, and merchandise.” 

But before expanding into new verticals, Aflah remains committed to growing the studio without losing sight of its purpose. “Starvania’s mission, ‘Beyond the Horizon,’ captures our goal to create experiences that stay with players long after they finish the game," she explains. "We think of that feeling you get after completing a truly great story, a mix of awe and emptiness, wondering what’s next. That moment represents the 'horizon,' and we aim to build what lies beyond it: rich, imaginative universes filled with depth, discovery, and emotion. We design worlds that offer new perspectives. Fantasy realms inspired by concepts often unseen in mainstream games. Our first title, Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, reflects that approach by reintroducing Arabian mythology in an authentic and meaningful way."

At the core of the game is an effort to bridge Arab identity with global appeal. As Aflah tells us, Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree draws on Arabian epics like One Thousand and One Nights and other regional myths, offering a rare look into underrepresented cultural lore. “The name Bahamut itself is familiar to many players through global franchises like Final Fantasy, but it’s often portrayed there as a dragon,” she explains. “In reality, Bahamut originates from Arabian myth as a colossal whale, not a dragon. We wanted to reclaim that origin and show the creature’s true roots, offering players a new perspective on something they thought they already knew.” 

For Aflah, translating that idea into gameplay required more than imagination—it demanded cultural depth and understanding. “To achieve this, the team researched deeply, drawing from old novels, traditional calligraphy, and historical architecture to shape the game’s world," she shares. "You can see these influences in the flowing, calligraphy-inspired gameplay, underwater cities influenced by Middle Eastern design, and even playful details like a sea turtle with camel features. The soundtrack blends instruments like the oud with modern tones, creating a soundscape that feels both familiar and fresh.” Yet, even as they built a world rooted in local culture, Aflah and her team were keen to ensure that the game would appeal to players beyond the region. “We designed the experience to be accessible to global audiences," she says. "Even if players don’t know these myths, they can still enjoy the gameplay and art, while those who look closer will discover rich layers of culture woven throughout the story."

Talking about choosing Saudi Arabia as a base to operate from, perhaps one of the biggest advantages that Aflah sees in operating out of the Kingdom is the shift she sees taking place in the gaming industry there, with passionate developers and gaming studios meeting investors and accelerators. “The ecosystem is still young, but it’s evolving fast and in exciting ways," she says. "Creatively, there’s so much untapped potential, developers are experimenting with ideas rooted in our own stories and culture, giving Saudi and regional games a distinct identity. You can feel the passion and ambition to create something both personal and globally relevant."

And while hurdles remain, Aflah is optimistic about the future of the gaming industry in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. “On the business side, there are still challenges, funding, publishing, and market access take time to mature, but the progress has been remarkable,” she says. “We’re now seeing more incubators and accelerator programs, investment opportunities from venture capitalists, governmental support, and even academies dedicated specifically to game development. These initiatives are building a strong foundation for the future. There’s real momentum now, and the next few years will be key to shaping a sustainable ecosystem for indie studios across Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.” 

A visual from Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree.

Now, with Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree nearing its release on PlayStation and Xbox, Aflah reveals that Starvania Studio is already gearing up for what comes next. “We’re entering an exciting new phase," she says. "Starvania is expanding its scope beyond a single project. We’re currently developing a new title while also creating opportunities to train and mentor the next generation of game developers in the region.” 

Beyond new releases, Aflah says the real goal now is to leave a mark that extends far beyond gameplay—one rooted in culture, passion, and purpose. “Our vision is to grow not just as a game studio, but as a creative force that expands our game intellectual property across different media, building complete entertainment experiences through the worlds we create,” Aflah says. “We want to continue pushing boundaries, nurturing local talent, and contributing to the evolution of the gaming ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond.” 

Reflecting on her own journey as an entrepreneur in the Kingdom's gaming ecosystem, Aflah also had advice for other founders wanting to follow her lead. “One of the biggest lessons was the power of connections," she says. "Building a strong network accelerates everything, from finding collaborators to securing support when you need it. Many new developers underestimate this, focusing only on coding or design, but networking opened most of the doors that got us here."

Building on that, Aflah emphasizes that creating a successful gaming studio requires more than passion and community. “Treat your studio as both creative and business," she says. "You have to think beyond development. Marketing, funding, sustainability, and partnerships are all part of the journey. Setting clear company goals is just as crucial as crafting a great game." 

Aflah also urged her peers to not wait on breaking into the industry. “Don’t start with your dream game, start small," she says. "Build, fail, learn, and grow. Every step teaches you something valuable. There’s incredible support for game developers in Saudi Arabia now, so take advantage of that network. And remember, success takes time. You don’t have to match veteran studios on your first try. Focus on progress, not perfection.” 

Pictured in the lead image is Starvania Studio co-founder and CEO Meaad Aflah. All images are courtesy of Starvania Studio.