Qiddiya City to host Final Fantasy VII Rebirth exhibition

Qiddiya City, a destination for entertainment, sports and culture, has collaborated with international video game publisher Square Enix to bring “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” to The Boulevard in the heart of Riyadh. (Supplied)
Qiddiya City, a destination for entertainment, sports and culture, has collaborated with international video game publisher Square Enix to bring “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” to The Boulevard in the heart of Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Updated 01 August 2024
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Qiddiya City to host Final Fantasy VII Rebirth exhibition

Qiddiya City to host Final Fantasy VII Rebirth exhibition
  • Role-playing game’s producer Yoshinori Kitase and director Naoki Hamaguchi will feature at event

RIYADH: Qiddiya City, a destination for entertainment, sports and culture, has collaborated with international video game publisher Square Enix to bring “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” to The Boulevard in the heart of Riyadh, during the 2024 Esports World Cup.

The event will run from Aug. 11 with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth producer Yoshinori Kitase and director Naoki Hamaguchi making a special appearance at the event on Aug. 16.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the story of the role-playing game as the more than 15,000 sq ft retrospective experience takes the form of the legendary city of Midgar, complete with scaled replicas of the in-game vehicles Tiny Bronco and the Buggy.

Fans will have the opportunity to play the game at the event. Additionally, VIP ticket holders will have the chance to win prizes, including limited-edition signed posters and merchandise.

Fans can attend a one-night event featuring a special presentation and Q&A session with Kitase and Hamaguchi as they share their experiences of creating the game.

The event will take place at Riyadh’s Falcons Team HQ at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from Aug. 1 on WeBook.com. For international fans, the event will be live-streamed on Twitch and supported by a live watch party featuring popular gaming influencers.

Arnab Bhattacharya, director of strategy for the Gaming & Esports District at Qiddiya, said: “The legend of Final Fantasy VII, with beloved relatable characters, an incredible story, stunning art and epic soundtrack, is exactly the type of interactive experience we aspire to deliver to gaming fans across the globe as we continue to develop the wonder and lore of Qiddiya City’s Gaming & Esports District. 

“This is one of my favorite games of all time and I believe anyone who plays it will have a truly memorable experience. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Square Enix and bring this remarkable game to life during the most anticipated gaming event of the year.”

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second part in the Final Fantasy VII remake series, retells the story of the game that redefined the RPG genre in three distinct standalone titles and lets players take on the role of heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith, Yuffie and Red XIII.

Earlier this year, Qiddiya City was announced as the Nexus partner of the EWC.

The three-year partnership will see the Qiddiya Gaming & Esports District become the official home of the EWC. Starting in 2024, Qiddiya City is the presenting partner of two venues: The Elite Player Lounge and The Qiddiya Esports Arena. The Elite Player Lounge is designed as a place for participating EWC professional players to train, relax, socialize and prepare for matches.

Also this year, Qiddiya City’s Gaming & Esports District unveiled the world-first Elite Esports Bootcamps. The cyberpunk-themed facilities are designed for esports teams to train and prepare for competition using the latest hardware and software.

The Esports World Cup has transformed Riyadh into the epicenter of esports fandom and gaming culture.

Located in Boulevard City, fans can watch their favorite athletes and clubs compete across 22 game championships for a share of more than $60 million in prize money — the largest prize pool in esports history.

Over eight weeks, the Esports World Cup features festival activities that include gaming activations, community tournaments, pop culture celebrations and international experiences.


Saudi Arabia welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire, urges dialogue

Saudi Arabia welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire, urges dialogue
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Saudi Arabia welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire, urges dialogue

Saudi Arabia welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire, urges dialogue
  • Kingdom commends both parties for prudence, self-restraint amid heightened tensions

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday welcomed the US-mediated ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, expressing hope that the development will pave the way for restoring security and stability in the region.

In an official statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom commended both parties for their prudence and self-restraint amid heightened tensions, and reiterated its support for resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means.

Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of adhering to the principles of good neighborliness in a manner that promotes peace and prosperity for both countries and their peoples.

The ceasefire announcement came on Saturday after both Islamabad and New Delhi confirmed the agreement following a period of escalated hostilities.

The de-escalation followed US-mediated talks late on Friday night, with President Donald Trump stating that Washington had played a key role in brokering the understanding between the nuclear-armed neighbors.


Saudi FM receives his Iranian counterpart in Jeddah

Saudi FM receives his Iranian counterpart in Jeddah
Updated 10 May 2025
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Saudi FM receives his Iranian counterpart in Jeddah

Saudi FM receives his Iranian counterpart in Jeddah
  • Araqchi traveled to Jeddah to meet with senior Saudi officials
  • The visit comes ahead of possible indirect US-Iran talks in Oman on Sunday

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday received his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah, Al Arabiya News Channel reported.

Araghchi traveled to Jeddah to meet with senior Saudi officials and discuss bilateral issues and regional and international developments.

He is expected to later travel to Qatar to participate in the Iran-Arab World Dialogue summit in Doha, an Iranian ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

The visit also comes ahead of scheduled indirect US-Iran talks in Oman on Sunday and an expected trip to the region by US President Donald Trump.

 


Little Explorer event in Jeddah connects young minds with archeology, heritage

Little Explorer event in Jeddah connects young minds with archeology, heritage
Updated 10 May 2025
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Little Explorer event in Jeddah connects young minds with archeology, heritage

Little Explorer event in Jeddah connects young minds with archeology, heritage
  • Initiative offered interactive, engaging educational experience

Jeddah: The Little Explorer event, which was organized by the Heritage Commission in Jeddah and ran from May 6-10, offered an interactive and engaging educational experience for children.

The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of archeological excavation and strengthen the connection between younger generations and the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Blending entertainment with education, the event sought to foster a generation that values antiquities and their role in strengthening national identity.

Held in Bab Jadeed, the event was part of the commission’s efforts to engage young people in heritage preservation through educational and hands-on activities, which introduced archeological principles and promoted the protection of historic sites.

The event featured five main pavilions, each designed as an educational and interactive station, according to the SPA.

The Little Explorer’s Tale took place in an interactive cinema screening an educational animation that simulated an exploratory journey to the Al-Faw archeological site, offering an engaging introduction to cultural heritage.

Children at the Explorer’s Academy viewed authentic artifacts from various civilizations and learned about excavation tools and archeological processes.

The Excavation Simulation offered a hands-on experience, allowing participants to search for artifacts using real tools in a realistic sand-filled setting.

The Archeological Workshop provided a space for creative drawing with children learning about historic monuments with the help of iPads.

The Play and Learn area combined recreational games with archeological themes, making heritage exploration both fun and educational for children.


Olympiad delegates explore Saudi heritage, hospitality

Olympiad delegates explore Saudi heritage, hospitality
Updated 10 May 2025
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Olympiad delegates explore Saudi heritage, hospitality

Olympiad delegates explore Saudi heritage, hospitality

Dhahran: International delegations taking part in the Asian Physics Olympiad, hosted by Saudi Arabia in Dhahran from May 4 to 12, enjoyed a dynamic schedule of scientific competitions, cultural activities, educational events and entertainment.

The enriching experience brought together 240 students from 30 countries and 110 international physics specialists, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Beyond the competitions, the program included educational and cultural visits highlighting Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and scientific progress, while promoting global youth engagement and cultural exchange.

Wearing traditional Saudi attire as a sign of respect, participants experienced the Kingdom’s hospitality, sampled Saudi cuisine and took part in interactive events that fostered cultural connection.

This year’s Olympiad holds special significance as it marks the 25th anniversary of the competition. For more than two decades, it has united talented youth from across the globe, encouraging scientific excellence and cross-cultural understanding.

The final results — organized by the Ministry of Education, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals — will be announced during the closing ceremony on May 11 at King Fahd University in Dhahran.


Kingdom arrests 15,928 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 15,928 illegals in one week
Updated 10 May 2025
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Kingdom arrests 15,928 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 15,928 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 15,928 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 10,179 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,912 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,837 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,248 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 63 percent were Ethiopian, 35 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 45 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 26 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.