How Israel became a social gaming hub

At one time, gaming innovators and enthusiasts journeyed to California’s Silicon Valley to devise their technological visions of the future. Now, the tide is shifting to Israel.

Currently, the country of 7.7 million people boasts more than 200 game companies and hundreds of tech companies, according to Invest in Israel. By 2013, 70 percent of the fastest- growing gaming companies on Facebook were in Europe. Half of the top 10 are based in Israel, and according to the Israeli Ministry of Economy, the country’s gaming industry is estimated to be worth up to 2.5 billion shekels ($730 million).