When Scopely set its sights on the Middle East, it didn’t hire just anyone; it hired a builder. Charity Joy, the former General Manager of EA’s Criterion Games, is now leading Mirai, Scopely’s Riyadh-based studio, as Mirai CEO.
Her resume is more impressive than anything, constituting nearly two decades of experience across big names like Disney and EA Sports. She not only manages teams, but she also constructs them from the ground up. The best part? She is appearing as a confirmed speaker at the Global Games Show Riyadh 2026, with her story offering a window into what Saudi Arabia’s gaming ambition actually looks like in practice.
How Charity Joy Made the Gaming Industry Her Own
Charity Joy | Credit: EA
Charity Joy entered the games industry in 2006 as part of a small web-based flash gaming startup before eventually joining Club Penguin as an Online Community Manager, and ultimately a Product Manager for the game under The Walt Disney Company, where she would end up having multiple promotions up to Co-GM & Director of Product Development before leaving in 2016.
Her pivot into AAA development, however, came when she joined EA in 2021. She started as a senior producer supporting the UFC franchise before making a significant jump. Following the departure of Criterion veterans after Need for Speed Unbound, Joy stepped in as executive producer for the NFS franchise before she was elevated to General Manager of Criterion in November 2023, becoming the leader of EA’s most iconic racing studio.
She departed from EA in October 2024 and was made the CEO of Mirai, a position she has gracefully maintained to date. Having operated as a producer, creative director, executive producer, and general manager across different game studios means Charity Joy does not just have experience, but she also has a vast range.
Mirai and the Scopely Saudi Vision
Credit: Scopely
In late 2024, Scopely appointed Charity Joy to head Mirai, a Scopely company based in Riyadh, as part of its broader expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.
Furthermore, the studio is backed by Savvy Games Group, the games and esports company wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which acquired Scopely in 2023 for $4.9 billion. Joy has described the role in terms that go beyond a standard studio launch. As she put it, she is building a world-class team focused on continuous learning and accelerating the game development talent capacity in the region.
Now, as a speaker at the Global Games Show Riyadh 2026, taking place June 29-30, 2026, and organized by VAP Group, powered by Times of Games, Joy brings a firsthand perspective on what it means to plant a world-class studio in an emerging market.
Looking forward to her time as the featured speaker at GGS 2026? Make sure to book your tickets now!
Date: 29-30 June
Venue: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Register: Grab Your Tickets Now
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