Starvania
Riyadh, SA Β· 2 known investors
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Starvania is an indie game development studio creating fantasy-themed video games, including "Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree," a 2D adventure game inspired by Arabian and Middle Eastern mythology. The studio develops titles for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Also known as Starvania Studio Β· Starvania Studios
Founders & leadership
Investors Β· 2
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Company profile
researched Aug 2026Starvania Studio is an independent video game development company based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that builds fantasy game universes for PC and console platforms. Its first title, Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, is a 2D adventure game inspired by Arabian and Middle Eastern mythology in which the player explores Ma'een, an underwater "cosmic sea," carries the light of Bahamut through corrupted areas, repels entities called Dujaa, solves puzzles and recovers relics that reveal the region's hidden history. The game released on Steam for PC on 8 May 2025 at a list price of $14.99, on Nintendo Switch on 28 August 2025 at $19.99, with PlayStation and Xbox versions dated 7 May 2026. A second announced project is a co-operative platformer in which two players jointly control a single pizza, currently listed for wishlisting on Steam.
The studio operates as a fully remote team. Alongside co-founders Meaad Aflah (CEO / executive production) and Muslih Alzahrani (creative director), the credited team includes roles in game production, art direction, design, programming, narrative design, 2D art and animation, and sound design. The company states it focuses on building original IP with potential to extend beyond games into comics, animation and merchandise, and that while it draws on regional heritage it intends to work beyond Arabian themes as well.
Founding story
Co-founders Meaad Aflah and Muslih Alzahrani began work on Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree in 2021, shortly before graduating from The Game Changers apprenticeship program, and formally established Starvania Studio in 2022, at which point full-scale production on the title began.
Business model
The studio develops and self-publishes premium, paid single-purchase games sold through digital storefronts, listing itself as both developer and publisher on Steam and distributing on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox.
Revenue comes from one-time paid game sales across digital storefronts; Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree is priced at $14.99 on Steam and $19.99 on Nintendo Switch.
Traction
Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree shipped on PC and Nintendo Switch in 2025 with PlayStation and Xbox versions scheduled for 2026, and the studio's Steam publisher page shows 119 followers and one released title. The studio has drawn regional awards recognition and institutional investment from Merak Capital and Impact46.
Latest developments
In August 2025 the studio raised $1.1 million led by Merak Capital and Impact46, announced as part of a broader Impact46 commitment of $6.7 million across five Saudi game studios, with proceeds earmarked for new console and PC titles, operations and production pipelines, and hiring Saudi talent. Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree reached Nintendo Switch in August 2025, with PlayStation and Xbox releases dated 7 May 2026. Trade coverage in late 2025 and April 2026 covered the studio's inclusion among top MENA game makers, Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 recognition for games industry figures, and a four-year anniversary retrospective by CEO Meaad Aflah.
βΈFull profile β market position, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
Starvania is positioned among Saudi Arabia's emerging console and PC game studios; it was recognised as Best Game Startup in MENA at the 2024 MENA Games Industry Awards, won a Devcom Indie Award, and was included in trade coverage of the top 30 MENA game makers of 2025.
The studio's output is built on original intellectual property rooted in Arabian and Middle Eastern mythology, with an explicitly stated intent to extend those universes into other media such as comics, animation and merchandise.
Go-to-market
Distribution runs through digital platform storefronts (Steam, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation and Xbox stores), supported by Steam wishlist campaigns for unannounced-release titles, launches timed to industry events such as the Dubai GameExpo Summit, participation in accelerator programs and industry-award visibility, and social channels on X/Twitter and Instagram.
Players of premium 2D indie adventure and platformer games on PC and consoles, with content drawing on Arabian and Middle Eastern folklore intended to reach audiences across cultures.
Geography
Headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a remote-work team; games are distributed globally through digital storefronts.
History
Founded in 2022 in Saudi Arabia following a year of pre-production on its debut title, the studio passed through Cohort 1 of the NEOM Level Up Accelerator. It was named Best Game Startup in the MENA region at the 2024 MENA Games Industry Awards and also won a Devcom Indie Award. Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree launched on PC in May 2025 around the Dubai GameExpo Summit, followed by a Nintendo Switch release in August 2025 and planned PlayStation and Xbox versions in May 2026. In August 2025 the studio raised $1.1 million led by Merak Capital and Impact46.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources β announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed β not independently audited.
Timeline Β· 8
launches, deals, and filingsThe studio lists PlayStation and Xbox releases of the title for 7 May 2026.
Trade publication PocketGamer.biz included the studio in coverage of publishers and developers to watch in the Middle East and North Africa.
The title released on Nintendo Switch at a regular price of $19.99.
The studio raised $1.1 million, led by Merak Capital and Impact46, to develop new console and PC games, strengthen operations and production pipelines, and expand its team with Saudi talent.
$1.1M source β
Trade press reported Impact46 investing $6.7 million into five Saudi game studios, aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and National Gaming Strategy; Starvania was among the studios backed by Impact46.
$6.7M source β
The 2D adventure game launched on Steam on 8 May 2025 at a regular price of $14.99, with the launch tied to the Dubai GameExpo Summit.
The studio was recognised as the Best Game Startup in the MENA region at the 2024 MENA Games Industry Awards; it also won a Devcom Indie Award.
Co-founders Meaad Aflah and Muslih Alzahrani established the studio in 2022 and started full-scale production on Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, having begun the project in 2021 before graduating from The Game Changers apprenticeship program.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
βΈResearch sources Β· 8
primary sources listed
- Starvaniastarvania.com Β· web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Starvania do?
- Saudi indie game studio building 2D fantasy titles drawn from Arabian mythology for PC and consoles.
- Who founded Starvania?
- Starvania was founded by Meaad Aflah, Muslih Alzahrani.
- Who are Starvania's investors?
- Starvania's investors include Merak Capital, Impact46.
- Where is Starvania headquartered?
- Starvania is headquartered in Riyadh, SA.