{
  "id": 19897,
  "title": "Merak Capital, Impact46 back Ash Games with $1.5 million",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/merak-capital-impact46-back-ash-games-with-1-5-million",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-01T23:49:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Wamda",
    "slug": "wamda",
    "url": "http://wamda.com/2026/07/merak-capital-impact46-ash-games-1-5-million"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Merak Capital and Impact46, through the Merak Gaming Fund, have co-led a $1.5 million Seed round investment in Saudi-based game development studio Ash Games. The funding aims to propel the company's global expansion, as it seeks to introduce culturally rich gaming experiences to international audiences. Ash Games, established in 2022 by Anas Bakhsh, Yaser Alahmadi, and Saud Bakolka, specializes in action-adventure games that draw from Saudi Arabia's history, mythology, and folklore. Their lead project, Nomad, a PC and console release slated for 2027, will be the flagship title supported by this new capital injection. The funds will be allocated towards advancing game development, furthering the studio's workforce growth, and bolstering international publishing and commercialization strategies. The gaming sector in Saudi Arabia is experiencing a surge, with the Kingdom actively fostering its homegrown intellectual property on the global stage. Ash Games' roster of games, including Azooma Escape – a stealth-comedy inspired by daily Saudi life – underscores the company's commitment to developing regionally authentic yet globally competitive gaming content.",
  "summary": "Saudi Arabia-based game development studio Ash Games has raised a $1.5 million Seed round, co-led by Merak Capital and Impact46 through the Merak Gaming Fund, to accelerate its global expansion. Founded in 2022 by Anas Bakhsh, Yaser Alahmadi, and Saud Bakolka, Ash Games develops PC and console action-adventure games inspired by Saudi culture, history, and mythology. Its flagship title, Nomad, is…",
  "key_points": [
    "Merak Capital and Impact46 co-lead $1.5M Seed round for Ash Games.",
    "Ash Games develops culturally rich action-adventure games rooted in Saudi heritage.",
    "Funds allocated for game development, workforce growth, and international expansion."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/19897.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/27/egypt-leads-africas-start-up-funding-revival-as-nigeria-regains",
        "published": "2026-07-27T11:34:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Banking Dive",
        "title": "Capital One gives update on Discover community investment plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/30/capital-one-gives-update-on-discover-community-investment-plan",
        "published": "2026-07-30T14:55:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Wamda",
        "title": "FLOATY Studio secures $1 million from Merak Capital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/floaty-studio-secures-1-million-from-merak-capital",
        "published": "2026-08-01T23:37:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}