During a preview event at Gamescom 2026 for the upcoming action-adventure game 1001 Threads of Mizan, creative director Lars Bonde, known for his work on the Watch Dogs franchise, repeatedly avoided direct questions regarding the studio's funding and base country. The game, which is being developed by the newly formed MBC Game Studio and is based on the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, was announced during Gamescom's Opening Night Live.
When asked about the studio's location, Bonde described MBC Game Studio as "global" and "fully remote," emphasizing that this approach allows them to hire talent worldwide. He also highlighted the inspiration for the game, citing the underrepresentation of the One Thousand and One Nights IP and the rich cultural settings present in games like Assassin's Creed Origins and Mirage. Bonde mentioned that concept artists from Egypt and Riyadh contribute to the project, and that being decentralized allows for diverse representation.
However, the conversation became evasive when questions veered towards the studio's affiliations and funding. When pressed about self-publishing and the financial backing for such an endeavor, Bonde stated they were "literally building our own publishing unit" before redirecting the discussion to gameplay mechanics, such as flying a carpet through bullet-hell style projectile attacks. This pattern of indirect answers persisted when the developer logo was displayed on screen.
Upon being asked if the developer was MBC or WBC, Bonde confirmed "MBC." When pressed further about which country the organization belonged to, Bonde initially seemed taken aback, stating, "Sorry?" After a clarifying question, he responded, "This is a really decentralized company. We are completely decentralized." He eventually clarified that MBC stands for Middle East Broadcast company, the largest media provider in the MENA region, and that they sought to enter the gaming industry.
Crucially, Bonde did not directly acknowledge the Saudi government or the Public Investment Fund's (PIF) controlling stake in MBC Group. The PIF, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been a significant investor in diversifying Saudi Arabia's economy, with video games being a notable area of investment. The report notes that PIF has also been involved in high-profile acquisitions, including SNK and a leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts, and has been criticized for its role in sportswashing and alleged human rights abuses.
The author of the preview, a queer transgender journalist, questioned their invitation to play a game developed by a studio tied to an organization chaired by a head of state whose government holds beliefs that could be punishable by death for individuals of the author's identity. The journalist expressed frustration at the lack of transparency and the perceived attempt to "gamewash" the image of a state with a documented history of human rights violations.
Despite the discomfort surrounding the developer's affiliations, the gameplay itself offered some novelty. The preview described a unique experience in teaming up with friends against large bosses and navigating through aerial sequences. However, the overall impression was one of mild enthusiasm, similar to that reserved for games like Anthem or Marvel's Avengers, which the author felt was not enough to set aside moral concerns regarding the game's backing by a government with a problematic human rights record.