Kuwait’s New Gaming Influencers: A Digital Empire Comes to Life in the Gulf
Kuwait is a country with a rich past that is very much looking ahead to the future. Leading the trend are many of the country’s rising gaming influencers who have already shown themselves adept at shaping the regional digital entertainment landscape.
The Rise of Gaming Influencers in Kuwait
Games have been a popular pastime in the country for some time and user penetration is growing at pace; moving from the current 6.6% to over 7.3% by 2029. Not only are influencers driving this trend, but they’re also opening up the possibility of Kuwait becoming a hub for content creation in the Gulf.
Social media is chiefly responsible for the amplification of the reach that gaming content currently enjoys. Streaming platforms like Twitch and Kick are very much the TV stations of the present day. With TV audiences aging as the new generation moves to live streams, there is now a natural captive audience for such platforms.
A fascinating offshoot of this change in behavior is that young Kuwaitis are waking up to the idea that gaming is now a viable career path. Some compete as e-sports athletes while others prefer to work in development and coding. Gaming influencers then complete the circle by showing how new media can be used to create and then grow a whole new entertainment subculture.
Spotlight on Leading Kuwaiti Gaming Influencers
Knowing that it’s possible to make a career as a gaming influencer is one thing, but seeing someone from your own country do it is so much more inspiring. Here are four of the leading content creators that you need to be aware of to fully understand the landscape in 2025:
- AboFlah (Hassan Suleiman): A content creator who has built a following of over 40 million subscribers on YouTube. AboFlah creates content covering a range of new and classic titles as well as using his personal brand and online reach to do charitable content in the mold of Mr Beast
- Gamer Snack: A pair of Kuwaiti gamers with over 1.6 million followers on YouTube at the time of writing. They are known for delivering in-depth game reviews and live event coverage of many of the biggest e-sports competitions in the Gulf region
Mostafz: This Kuwaiti gaming channel has built up more than 1 million subscribers and focuses on highlighting the latest trends while also commenting on wider gaming culture. The channel is a popular choice for affiliates who want to clip their content and repurpose it
- Motasm Mekdad: A Kuwaiti influencer who delivers tutorials, walkthroughs, and social commentary on both YouTube and Instagram. He is also known to blend insights with humor to help ensure that his content is easy to digest and something his followers want to clip and share
Each influencer has their own voice, style, and preferred format, allowing them to build their following and entertain their audience.
The Impact of Gaming Influencers on Kuwaiti Youth Culture
Gaming influencers shape the interests and life goals of young Kuwaitis by showing them that it is possible to earn a highly lucrative living in new media. Content creation is no longer a hobby or a pastime — it can be something that garners millions and millions of views and the ad revenue that comes with it. Looking at markets that are a little further ahead in terms of their user penetration provides us with a clear picture of where things may be going.
In the US and Europe, KSI and his Sidemen — a team who were originally gaming content creators — have now expanded into podcasts, music, boxing events, sports promotion, and the viral Prime soft drink. Kuwaiti creators are following this same curve by acting as beacons for fashion and lifestyle choices in the region.
Kuwaiti society also demands a positive and responsible approach to content creation, and this is something that is at the core of all of the efforts of the most successful creators. They engage with their audiences with the aim of entertaining them first and then monetizing their fandom later, rather than the other way around. The result is an authentic connection with the rapidly expanding youth demographic.
Challenges Faced by Kuwaiti Gaming Influencers
There are cultural sensitivities and content restrictions that have to be adhered to in Kuwait, mainly around sexual expression and references to drugs and alcohol. Given the progressive nature of content creation and the need to push boundaries, this is something that may potentially limit growth compared to other markets.
Another challenge faced by Kuwaiti influencers is a lack of established infrastructure and mentoring programs within the country. That said, many creators effectively live online and find creative ways to connect with gamers and fans from around the world. The result is a cross-pollination that continues to expand the reach of Kuwaiti content.
Gaming vs. Gambling in Kuwait
It’s important to recognize that the term ‘gaming’ isn’t solely restricted to e-sports for many people, and to some, it includes online casino sites. These are platforms that offer games and many people around the world want to see content on these types of games. For example, if you visit www.kuwaitcasino.com you will see a range of new titles that are breathing life into traditional casino games.
The culture and law in Kuwait mean that local influencers are typically very careful to avoid any form of gambling or betting promotion. Influencers in the US and Europe may routinely get sponsored by gambling apps, but this is not the done thing in Kuwait. Instead, influencers focus their efforts on skills-based games and e-sports, as well as family-friendly content parents are happy to watch with their younger children.
Influencers who are able to build trust with parents and guardians could be the first to monetize their followers. Clothing, toys, and other forms of merchandise can only be sold at scale when parents see their child’s chosen form of entertainment as safe, worthwhile, and possibly educational.
The Future of Gaming Content Creation in Kuwait
There is clear potential for Kuwait to become a regional hub for gaming content when you consider the age of the population and the penetration of gaming as a hobby. Content creators who are savvy and strategic when it comes to collaborating with international gaming brands and platforms will be able to grow their audience beyond the borders of the country.
The result could well be an added air of legitimacy to their content that is reflected in audiences growing in other countries and regions. That said, there are certain cultural restrictions that Kuwaiti creators will be subject to.
For the future of Kuwaiti gaming content to be realized, there is a need for investment in two key areas. Infrastructure in the form of indoor venues and arenas that can host gaming competitions and a media city that can incubate startups is one thing. The other is the need for a clear mentoring pathway that will help local creators expand beyond the borders and across the Gulf region.
It will certainly be fascinating to analyze the continued growth of this new form of media in the months and years ahead
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