Pluto Games has signed a strategic partnership with Virgin Megastores, eXtra Stores in Saudi Arabia and Alghanim in Kuwait to enable gamers to top up their Steam Wallet balance using cash.

It is the largest distributor of digital gaming hardware, software and related products across the Mena region, with operations in the GCC, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.

With this move, the gamers from the UAE, Saudi, Kuwait and other GCC and Levant countries will now have easier and greater access to the Steam library of more than 2,000 titles to GCC gamers, said the company in a statement.

The partnership offers unrivalled value and ease of obtaining digital content for the GCC’s growing gaming community, catered to them through collectable localized Steam Wallet recharge cards, it stated.

Steam Wallet Cards will now be available in all outlets of Virgin Megastores across the region, eXtra Stores in Saudi Arabia and Alghanim retail centers in Kuwait.

Arvind Agrawal, the CEO of Pragma Technologies, said, "Pluto Games is delighted to partner with these leading retailers to distribute Steam Wallet Cards. This partnership will ensure that the cards are available across this region, along with bringing immense value with our reduced prices."

"In addition, this will provide easier and safer options for gamers to do transactions on this popular gaming delivery service. These fully Arabic localized wallet cards will further increase the fan base of Steam users in the region," he added.

Toufic Eido, the regional channel manager of Virgin Megastores, said: "By offering Steam Wallet codes through our partnership with Pluto Games, we can provide more options and convenience to gamers. In addition, gamers can now put money in their Steam Wallet using cash, gift cards or trade credits.”

Zaher Mohammad, the cateogry manager of Gaming of eXtra Saudi, said: "Through these cards, gamers will be able to immediately charge their accounts with ease through our convenient neighborhood locations across the country. The growth of technology in the Kingdom has been phenomenal."

"A tech-savvy young population coupled with high mobile penetration and strong market fundamentals have led to the strong growth of the gaming industry in the Kingdom," he added.

Joel Hanson, the category head of IT and Gaming at Al Ghanim, said: "We always aim to deliver best in class services to our customers and with the introduction of the Steam Wallet Cards, gaming fans in Kuwait will enjoy the very best of Steam products.”

As per industry estimates, the Middle East is responsible for more than $100 million in online gaming revenues, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait having significant share in the industry.

“Without a shadow of doubt, the Middle East is the fastest growing gaming industry globally. With a massive number of gamers present in the region, there is significant room for growth in the coming years,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service