- Mohammad AL Khatatbeh has worked with five different game studios across Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
- “For me, game development is not just a job; it’s a way to share my love for games and storytelling with the world.”
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Behind every game is a team of creative developers making it happen. In our Jobs in Games series, we highlight some of the individuals working in the games industry, whether they are veteran developers with big hits under their belts or entirely new to the industry.
We ask how they broke into the sector and their advice for others on making a career in games.
In this interview, we caught up with Sandsoft’s senior game developer Mohammad AL Khatatbeh who has over 13 years of experience in the mobile games industry.
PocketGamer.biz: Tell us a little bit about yourself, how did you initially get into the games industry?
Mohammad AL Khatatbeh: My entry into games was like a dream come true. In my final year of university my professor approached me with an opportunity to join a local games company seeking talented students and I jumped at the chance. I had been a gamer my whole life and now I could finally turn my passion into a profession.
I started out working on text-based games using PHP for Facebook—simple beginnings, but they sparked something in me. From that point I was hooked.
My curiosity pushed me to explore deeper into game development and that’s when I discovered Unity in its early days. I spent countless nights learning Unity 2.6 on my own, driven by the idea that we could create something bigger. I pitched the idea to my team leaders: ‘What if we could build a 3D game?’
With the help of an artist we got the green light, poured our energy into the project and created a 3D third-person shooter for Facebook using Unity. That project proved what was possible and it opened up a new world of opportunities.
I’ve now worked with five different game studios across Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. I also helped bring over 10 titles to life on Android and iOS, each one a step forward in my career.
How did you land the role of senior game developer at Sandsoft?
I was closely following the developments in the games industry especially with the transformative initiatives around Saudi Vision 2023. That’s when I discovered Sandsoft and became deeply interested in what they were aiming to achieve. Their bold vision to become one of the leading game publishers and studios in the world immediately caught my attention.
“Growing up as a gamer, I was captivated by the worlds, stories, and experiences that games offered.”
Mohammad AL Khatatbeh
What really convinced me to join Sandsoft was their unique team culture and the people behind it as employees are empowered to explore and create freely. Moreover, the team at Sandsoft consists of some of the most passionate and experienced game developers who have worked on highly successful franchises.
Being able to learn from such a talented group and contribute to future projects was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
Why a career in games? And if not games what would you have been doing?
If I weren’t in the games industry I’d probably dive into the world of data science. I’m naturally data-driven and find immense satisfaction in analysing data to uncover hidden patterns and insights. The idea of using data to solve complex problems and make informed decisions is something I find truly fascinating.
However, a career in games has always felt like the perfect fit for me. Growing up as a gamer, I was captivated by the worlds, stories, and experiences that games offered.
They weren’t just a pastime; they were a source of inspiration and wonder. So when I became a game developer I found that I could channel that passion into my work.
How has the past year been for you, any highlights? And what would you like to achieve in the coming year?
This past year has been incredibly impactful for me and my colleagues at RUH Studio – Sandsoft. We’ve been working closely as a team to build and refine our prototyping process, laying a solid foundation for the studio’s future.
Under the guidance of our head of studio Yahsir Qureshi, and our CTO Ahmed Sharif, we’ve focused on defining and shaping the processes that will help us deliver high-quality games.
“There’s something incredibly rewarding about taking a vision and turning it into an interactive experience that players around the world can enjoy.”
Mohammad AL Khatatbeh
Looking ahead to the coming year, my personal goal is to keep learning, mentoring, and growing with the team as we strive to make the company a leader in the games industry.
But as a team, our goal is to deliver outstanding games that resonate with our players and contribute significantly to the company’s growth.
What’s your day-to-day like at Sandsoft? Do you have any go-to ritual before stepping into the office?
Once I arrive at the office I grab a cup of coffee and take a few minutes to organise my thoughts and set my goals for the day. This simple routine helps me stay focused, energised, and ready to tackle challenges. My morning rituals involve reading a mix of gaming and tech news to stay updated on the latest trends and innovations.
Then I perform a quick check-in to align my personal priorities with those of the team. This helps ensure that we’re all moving in the same direction. From there, I jump into coding and debugging, focusing on solving the challenges at hand.
Collaboration is a core part of our culture at Sandsoft, so a good portion of my day is spent brainstorming new ideas, discussing strategies, and tackling problems alongside my colleagues.
What do you enjoy most about working in the games industry?
What I enjoy most is the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the work. It’s not a routine job—there’s always a new challenge to tackle or a problem to solve, which keeps things exciting and fresh.
This constant change offers endless opportunities to innovate, experiment, and push the boundaries of what games can be.
The second aspect I love is the ability to transform ideas and concepts into reality through programming. There’s something incredibly rewarding about taking a vision and turning it into an interactive experience that players around the world can enjoy.
Being able to create those moments of joy, surprise, and immersion for others is what makes this industry so special to me.
What’s been your most memorable, funny or unexpected experience you’ve had while working on a game?
One of those moments for me happened back in 2011 when I was working on an online third-person shooter game. It was a unique project at the time and after we completed it, our game was showcased at a conference at the Dead Sea- Jordan. To our surprise, the King of Jordan himself tried our game.
Waking up the next morning to see our pictures in all the major newspapers with the King playing our game, was surreal. It was an incredible moment and seeing our work receive such attention was both unexpected and deeply rewarding.
If you could play one video game for the rest of your life, what game would it be and why?
If I had to pick one outside of the Sandsoft catalogue it would be Command & Conquer: Zero Hour. I’ve always been captivated by strategy games and Zero Hour is a true gem of the genre. This game has stood the test of time for me.
“Waking up the next morning to see our pictures in all the major newspapers with the King playing our game, was surreal.”
Mohammad AL Khatatbeh
I still jump into online matches with friends at least twice a week, and every session feels as fresh and exciting as the first. No two matches are the same thanks to the endless possibilities for strategy and tactics.
The game’s balance is masterfully crafted, making every victory feel earned and every defeat a lesson in strategy.
Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to work as a games developer? As well as any advice for people laid off/struggling with work?
My advice is to always stay passionate and be a self-learner. The games industry is constantly evolving so keeping up with the latest trends in technology and game development is crucial.
Being proactive about learning and honing your skills will make you stand out in the market. Never stop experimenting, building, and improving—you need to show that you’re not just following the trends but also thinking ahead.
For those who are struggling with work, stay proactive and don’t wait for solutions to come to you. Use this time to improve yourself and the environment around you.
The MENA region in particular is becoming a significant hub for the games industry with lots of emerging opportunities. Keep your eyes on this growing market as it’s filled with potential for talented and driven individuals.
What are you working on right now? Are there any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about? What can we look forward to from you?
At our studio, we’re zeroing in on the midcore segment, particularly in the strategy and RPG genres—areas where few studios in the MENA region are taking bold steps. We’re hard at work on several thrilling prototypes that are set to redefine what players can expect from their gaming experiences.
Our focus is on merging innovation with top-notch gameplay quality, creating something fresh and captivating. We want to break new ground and elevate the player experience by constantly experimenting, iterating, and refining our concepts. We are committed to making games that aren’t just enjoyable but revolutionary.
