Hussam Hammo: The Visionary Behind Tamatem Games and the Rise of Arabic Mobile Gaming
In the fast-evolving world of digital entertainment, one name stands out in the Middle East’s tech and gaming scene — Hussam Hammo, the founder and CEO of Tamatem Games. A Jordanian entrepreneur with a deep understanding of local culture and a global mindset, Hammo has built a gaming empire that not only entertains millions of Arabic-speaking users but also reshaped how international companies view the Middle Eastern gaming market.
His story is one of resilience, innovation, and cultural pride — a journey that began with curiosity and grew into a mission to put the Arab world on the global gaming map.
Early Life and Education
Hussam Hammo was born and raised in Amman, Jordan, where he developed an early passion for technology, creativity, and problem-solving. As a child, he was fascinated by video games — not just as a form of entertainment, but as complex systems of design and storytelling.
Hammo pursued a degree in Computer Science at Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT) in Jordan. During his time at university, he was not only an excellent student but also a natural innovator. He loved experimenting with digital tools, exploring how technology could bridge cultural gaps and connect people.
Even before graduating, Hammo had a clear vision: to create something that combined technology, culture, and entertainment, and to do so within the Arab world rather than abroad.
Early Ventures: The Road to Entrepreneurship
Hussam Hammo’s first taste of entrepreneurship came when he founded Faye3.com in 2006 — the first Arabic social network, which launched even before Facebook’s Arabic version existed. Faye3.com was a pioneering idea that quickly attracted hundreds of thousands of Arabic-speaking users across the region.
However, like many early startups, Faye3.com faced challenges in scaling and monetization. Despite its initial success, the project couldn’t sustain itself financially in the long term and was eventually shut down.
But for Hammo, Faye3.com was far from a failure. It taught him critical lessons about the region’s digital landscape — the need for localized content, culturally relevant products, and strategic partnerships. It also reinforced his belief that the Arabic digital market was deeply underserved.
This experience laid the foundation for his next, far more successful venture: Tamatem Games.
Founding Tamatem Games
In 2013, Hussam Hammo founded Tamatem, a mobile game publisher dedicated to localizing and publishing Arabic-language mobile games for users across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
The name “Tamatem”, which means “tomatoes” in Arabic, was chosen deliberately. It’s short, catchy, and easy to remember — a perfect reflection of the brand’s vibrant and playful personality.
Hammo’s insight was simple but powerful: over 400 million Arabic speakers were consuming digital content, yet very little of it was available in their native language. Global gaming companies were producing titles that often failed to connect with Arab audiences because of cultural and linguistic barriers.
Tamatem set out to solve this problem by translating, culturally adapting, and publishing successful international games in Arabic, making them relatable and accessible to regional players.
Growth and Success
Under Hammo’s leadership, Tamatem quickly became a leader in mobile gaming in the Middle East. The company began by partnering with international developers, helping them understand and enter the Arabic market.
One of Tamatem’s biggest hits was “VIP Baloot”, a localized card game based on a popular traditional Saudi game. It became one of the most downloaded apps in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.
Other successful releases include “Clash of Empire,” “Shake the Metal,” “Chicken Invaders,” and “Arab 4×4 Off-Road.” Each of these games was carefully localized — not just translated linguistically, but also adapted culturally to fit Arab traditions, humor, and aesthetics.
By 2020, Tamatem had achieved more than 150 million downloads across its game portfolio and millions of monthly active users. Today, Tamatem continues to dominate the MENA gaming market and is recognized as the leading Arabic mobile game publisher in the region.
Funding and Global Recognition
Hussam Hammo’s vision attracted significant investment from regional and international venture capital firms. Tamatem was part of 500 Startups, a prestigious Silicon Valley accelerator program, and later raised multiple rounds of funding to fuel its expansion.
In 2021, Tamatem secured $11 million in Series B funding led by KRAFTON, Inc., the South Korean gaming giant behind PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds). This partnership opened the door for deeper collaboration between the Arab gaming ecosystem and global developers.
Under Hammo’s leadership, Tamatem has also expanded its offices and operations beyond Jordan, with teams in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE, and plans to grow into new Arabic-speaking markets such as Morocco and Iraq.
This success story made Hussam Hammo one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the Middle East’s tech landscape.
Leadership and Vision
As a leader, Hussam Hammo is known for his hands-on management style, creativity, and passion for innovation. He believes in building strong teams and fostering a culture of collaboration and experimentation.
In interviews, he often emphasizes the importance of understanding local culture when developing products for the Arab world. For Hammo, localization is not just translation — it’s about understanding player psychology, humor, language, and even regional slang.
He also advocates for more investment in Arabic digital content, believing that the region’s young population — 70% of whom are under 30 — represents enormous potential for growth in entertainment, education, and technology.
Hammo frequently mentors young entrepreneurs and participates in regional startup events, encouraging others to innovate locally rather than relying solely on Western models.
Challenges and Resilience
The road to success was not without obstacles. When Hammo launched Tamatem, the Middle East’s gaming industry was still in its infancy. Finding investors who believed in Arabic-language content was difficult, and many questioned the profitability of localized entertainment.
Additionally, payment infrastructure and digital advertising in the region were underdeveloped, making monetization a constant challenge.
But Hammo persisted. Through smart partnerships, creative marketing, and a deep understanding of regional users, he managed to turn Tamatem into a sustainable and profitable company. His ability to navigate uncertainty and adapt to market realities became a hallmark of his entrepreneurial style.
Impact on the Middle East Gaming Industry
Thanks to Hussam Hammo, the Middle East has become a recognized player in the global gaming ecosystem. Tamatem’s success proved that Arabic-speaking gamers represent a valuable and loyal audience when given culturally relevant content.
Hammo’s work has also inspired a new generation of Arab game developers, designers, and entrepreneurs to create their own projects. He continues to advocate for local production, education, and innovation within the gaming community.
Moreover, Tamatem’s model has been studied by international firms as a case study in successful cultural localization, proving that understanding your audience is key to global success.
Personal Life and Philosophy
Despite his busy professional life, Hussam Hammo remains humble and family-oriented. He often speaks about maintaining balance — between ambition and well-being, growth and purpose.
His guiding philosophy is simple yet profound: “Create value that speaks your language.” For Hammo, entrepreneurship is not just about profit but about impact — empowering communities, creating opportunities, and celebrating identity through technology.
Legacy and the Future
Today, Hussam Hammo is widely regarded as one of the top tech entrepreneurs in the Arab world. His vision transformed Tamatem from a small Jordanian startup into a company that influences millions of users and inspires the entire region’s digital economy.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve with advances in AI, AR, and metaverse technologies, Hammo plans to position Tamatem at the forefront of this transformation. His goal is not only to publish global games for Arabic audiences but also to develop original games that reflect Arab stories, heritage, and creativity.
With his unwavering vision and determination, Hussam Hammo represents the spirit of modern Arab entrepreneurship — ambitious, culturally grounded, and globally connected.
Published: 14th November 2025
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