WafaGames

WafaGames, founded in 2017, operates in the mobile gaming market with a focus on creating games that offer what it describes as 'dignified' digital experiences. The company was co-founded by CEO Kathy Gong, a former national chess champion and serial entrepreneur, and Radwan Kasmiya, a notable figure in the Middle Eastern video game industry. Gong's journey as an entrepreneur began after graduating from Columbia University, leading her to found several startups, including a software development company and Law.ai, before venturing into the gaming world. Her background as a competitive chess player informs her strategic approach to business, while her experience as a female gamer drives the company's mission to create well-rounded female protagonists, challenging industry stereotypes. Kasmiya, recognized by MIT as one of the 35 Innovators Under 35 and by Forbes as a top entrepreneur, has a history of developing games for Arabic speakers that draw on the region's rich history. He previously founded Falafel Games, known for titles like "Under Ash," "Under Siege," and "Quraish," which aimed to present complex narratives from an Arab perspective.

WafaGames positions itself as a creator of 'crazy games driven by cutting-edge technical breakthroughs'. The company also views video games as a form of digital storytelling, aiming to give a voice to the unheard. This philosophy targets a global audience, with a notable portion of its over 1 million gamers being women, who constitute 40% of their player base. The business model appears to be centered on the development and direct distribution of mobile games. While specific monetization strategies aren't detailed, the mobile gaming market typically relies on in-app purchases, advertising revenue, or a combination of both. A core tenet of the company's strategy is to foster unity and cross-cultural understanding, believing that the shared experience of gaming can bring together players from different backgrounds. Before establishing WafaGames, Kasmiya's studio, Falafel Games, also offered custom game development and publishing services for the MENA market, suggesting a potential avenue for future business diversification.

The company's product philosophy emphasizes creating engaging and thought-provoking content. A key unique selling point is its commitment to gender diversity in game design, moving away from the sexualized portrayal of female characters common in the industry. Instead, WafaGames focuses on developing hardcore, strategy-oriented games that appeal to a diverse player base. This approach stems directly from Gong's personal experiences as a gamer who found existing offerings often unrelatable or disagreeable. While specific game titles from WafaGames are not publicly detailed, the founders' prior work provides insight into their creative direction. Kasmiya's games, such as the real-time strategy title "Quraish," were lauded for their innovative, if not technically perfect, approach to storytelling within familiar genres. This history, combined with Gong's vision for more inclusive and strategic mobile gaming, shapes the firm's unique position in the competitive global market.

Keywords: mobile gaming, game development, digital storytelling, Radwan Kasmiya, Kathy Gong, serious games, strategic gaming, inclusive gaming, MENA gaming market, Falafel Games, female protagonists, cross-cultural gaming, game design, video game developer, Beijing startup, entertainment technology, entrepreneurial leadership, chess champion entrepreneur, Arab world games, innovative game design