SNK Is Now 96% Owned By The Saudi Arabian Crown Prince

The company that made The King of Fighters XV and other classic 2D action and fighting games is pretty much fully owned by Saudi Arabian royalty.

In late 2020, the company known as Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC), that is owned by Saudi Arabia crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, previously purchased a 33% stake and became SNK’s largest shareholder. As of now, however, the company is now fully owned by EGDC as it now has 96.18% of its shares. This is from SNK’s Korean investor relations page.

This may draw the ire of many, especially since the Saudi Arabian crown prince is allegedly responsible for the assassination of journalist Jama Khashoggi, among other human rights transgressions the collective is known for. If this bugs you, then you may be dismayed to learn that Mohammed bin Salman also owns big shares in Activision Blizzard, EA, Take-Two, and others the EGDC hasn’t disclosed as of yet. Still, other companies have done their best in avoiding this, like Riot Games who has ended a partnership with Saudi Arabian city Neom after fans pointed out the country’s human rights abuses. Then again, most companies aren’t making bank like Riot, so…