MBC Game Studio, a new entity backed by Saudi Arabia’s PIF-owned MBC Group, officially unveiled its debut video game, 1001 Threads of Mizan, at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on August 25, 2026. This announcement marks a significant step for the studio, which aims to introduce global audiences to rich Arabic folklore through a new cooperative action-adventure experience.
According to Daniel Engelhardt, CEO of MBC Game Studio and a former Lionsgate executive, the game uses One Thousand and One Nights as a foundational framework. This approach was specifically chosen to highlight a broader spectrum of regional Arabic folklore, extending beyond the more commonly known tales and drawing from the deep traditions of oral storytelling. Rather than directly retelling existing legends, 1001 Threads of Mizan introduces players to a fresh cast of three heroes—Yusra, Malik, and Sufyan—whose adventures are intricately woven together within the overarching narrative device of Scheherazade herself.
The game is designed for 1-3 players, offering cooperative action-adventure gameplay with drop-in/drop-out multiplayer functionality. It is set to release across a wide range of platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via both Steam and the Epic Games Store. Central to the gameplay experience are dynamic aerial combat and traversal mechanics, primarily utilizing flying carpets. These carpets are not merely for transport; they are presented as essential tools for both exploring the game world and engaging in combat, allowing players to seamlessly transition between ground-based and sky-high encounters.
Players will face colossal jinn creatures in battle, with the flying carpet proving indispensable for strategic combat in these large-scale confrontations. A notable highlight from the Gamescom demo included an intense boss fight against a jinn named Nazjush, showcasing the scale of these encounters. The three playable characters each bring a distinct style to the team: Yusra specializes in ranged attacks with her bow, Malik excels as a close-quarters brawler, and Sufyan wields a versatile whip-blade. These diverse playstyles are specifically designed to complement each other during cooperative play, fostering teamwork and strategic coordination.
MBC Game Studio is committed to ensuring authentic cultural representation. To achieve this, the studio has engaged local literary historians and cultural experts from the project’s inception, with key team members located in the Middle East who possess deep connections to the source material. The launch of 1001 Threads of Mizan is part of a larger strategic initiative by MBC Group to develop and export its own homegrown intellectual property on a global scale, rather than solely investing in existing studios. This endeavor aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to establish the kingdom as a major hub for gaming and esports.
MBC Group CEO Mike Sneesby and Chairman Waleed Al-Ibrahim have articulated that this venture represents a crucial step in building a global entertainment business rooted in the Middle East. By bringing compelling regional stories to worldwide audiences, the company seeks to expand its international footprint and introduce a unique cultural perspective to the global gaming landscape.