Mobile game company Sandsoft has announced the opening of a new development studio in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The new developer will be led by head of studio Yahsir Qureshi, previously executive producer at the company. Prior to joining Sandsoft, Qureshi spent almost five years at EA as senior lead product manager on FIFA Ultimate Team, and also worked at Natural Motion on Dawn of Titans.

Sandsoft Riyadh will be the company’s new headquarters, with the team “committed to nurturing local talent,” the announcement said, also unveiling a paid internship programme called Press Start.

The initiative will target “emergent KSA talent” and provide support and resources for them to develop their own games.

Sandsoft was created in 2020 at the initiative of Saudi clothing and real estate firm Ajlan & Bros. It is headed by King veteran David Fernandez as CEO and Rovio alumnus Miikka Lindgren as head of publishing. Since its creation, Sandsoft has been working on licensed titles Rambo: Strike Force and Pacific Rim: Breach Wars.