RTS, the operator of the world's largest fighting game tournament 'EVO', has been acquired by the Saudi Arabian development project Qiddiya. Qiddiya stated that this acquisition is a strategic move to strengthen its esports business and create new opportunities across the gaming ecosystem.

This acquisition was announced amidst a series of ownership changes for EVO. In August, Sony Interactive Entertainment sold its stake in EVO to Nodwin Gaming, establishing a joint operation system between RTS and Nodwin Gaming. However, Muhannad Aldawood, Chief Strategy Officer at Qiddiya, announced the full acquisition of RTS on the 2nd, marking another shift in ownership.

In a LinkedIn post, Aldawood stated, "I am pleased to announce Qiddiya's full acquisition of RTS. This is a strategic move that will further strengthen our esports business and open up new opportunities across the gaming ecosystem." He added, "This significant milestone will open a new chapter in the evolution of EVO to fulfill the aspirations of the fighting game community."

These remarks suggest Qiddiya's strong commitment to the esports sector. Qiddiya is currently developing the 'world's first dedicated gaming and esports district,' spanning from 180,000 to 500,000 square meters, and is solidifying its status by hosting world-class events. A prime example is the selection of Qiddiya City as the official host for the 'Esports World Cup (EWC),' alongside aggressive acquisitions of stakes in major game companies and esports platform operators. This also signals their intent to directly lead the continued growth of core events like EVO.