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.