Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 received a special and strategic launch event at the end of last year, thanks to a partnership between Activision and the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF). The global launch took place in November 2025, but the premiere party happened at the SEF Arena in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The choice of location was no accident, as the region is one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the world, with a young and highly engaged audience. Therefore, the gaming giant wanted to connect directly with this community, signaling a long-term commitment to Middle Eastern players.
The strategy for this launch was based on hyper-localization and authenticity. In this way, Activision created content in Arabic, with a Saudi dialect, and celebrated important cultural dates, such as Ramadan, within the game. Additionally, the main event featured a ‘showdown’ between 12 of the region’s top gaming influencers, who faced off in a live 6v6 match to showcase the title’s frenetic multiplayer. With this move, the company sought a more genuine impact than traditional advertisements, betting on the trust these creators have with their audience.
Event Details and Focus on Content Creators
The battle between influencers, called the ‘showdown’, was one of the highlights of the night. Personalities like Abu Najd, GAMER SNACK, and VirusGG led the teams ‘The Guild’ and ‘JSOC’ in a close contest, won by the former. For Activision, this was the key to effectively reaching the target audience. Nora Bajes, the company’s Regional Communications Lead, explained that content creators are essential for generating impact, as they bring their unique voice and passion for the franchise, making the message resonate more strongly. On the other hand, the Saudi Federation sees the event as a milestone, consolidating the Kingdom as a global esports hub.
Looking ahead to 2026, the initiative reinforces a clear trend: major publishers are targeting specific markets with full force. The bet on high-profile local events with regional influencers is expected to intensify as a way to build loyal communities. For the Brazilian player, this global movement shows the strategic importance of each region in the gaming landscape and how experiences can be culturally adapted. Therefore, it would not be surprising to see similar investments directed at Latin America in future major releases.
