Carry1st, Africa’s leading gaming publisher and payment provider, today announces a partnership with Stellar Gate Games, a joint venture between Sandsoft and technology giant NetEase Games, to grow Blood Strike MENA, the MENA version of NetEase Games’ popular first-person shooter game, Blood Strike. Carry1st will work alongside Stellar Gate Games to help drive the growth of the gaming ecosystem across the MENA region.
Having enabled access across Africa to some of the world’s most popular mobile titles, including VALORANT and Call of Duty: Mobile in recent years, Carry1st is now extending its payment solutions in the MENA region. As part of this targeted expansion to support Stellar Gate Games, the partnership leverages Carry1st’s proprietary Pay1st platform, enabling players to make payments using local methods such as mobile money, digital wallets, and bank transfers.
Building on the formation of Stellar Gate Games by NetEase Games and Sandsoft in 2024, this partnership will enhance accessibility for millions of gamers in MENA, one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets with over 380 million players.
First launched in 2023, Blood Strike has gained global traction as a highly popular first-person shooter battle royale game. Renowned for its fast-paced action and competitive gameplay, the title celebrated surpassing 50 million downloads worldwide in August 2024.
A Shared Vision to Unlock Gaming Access
“Partnering with Stellar Gate Games is a key step in our mission to make gaming accessible to players everywhere,” said Lucy Hoffman, COO of Carry1st. “We are excited to bring our payment solutions to select countries in the MENA region, helping deliver localized content and create a seamless gaming experience for players across the region.”
Steve Zhang, CEO of Stellar Gate Games, added: “We are excited to join forces with Carry1st to expand Blood Strike’s reach in MENA. The company’s deep understanding of local markets and payment solutions will ensure a smooth experience for players in the region. Carry1st’s expertise in local payment methods and their innovation in unlocking access to games makes them an ideal partner. This collaboration will make it easier for players to engage with and enjoy our games.”
