The Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by Pocket Gamer Connects returns on Could seventh to eighth 2025, providing an opportunity to achieve insights into the world’s fastest-growing video games market, MENA.
Take a look at extra tales from PocketGamer.biz’s MENA Month particular right here, and get an outline over all the numerous occasions occurring along with the Dubai GameExpo Summit right here.
The worth of MENA and Dubai
MENA video games income is predicted to succeed in $6 billion by 2027, nearly doubling since 2021, in keeping with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).
DMCC director of ecosystems Belal Jassoma shared this determine on stage on the Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by Pocket Gamer Connects in 2024, the place he mentioned the worth of the MENA area and Dubai particularly as a “launchpad” for video games and web3.
“Dubai has actually positioned itself as a worldwide enterprise hub and because the gateway to the Center East Africa and South Asia. It’s very centralised,” he stated.
Particularly, he famous that the United Arab Emirates has emerged as “one of many main gaming hubs”, with Dubai largely on the forefront.
He recommended that top earnings ranges, public funding initiatives and Dubai’s centralised location – “in a position to handle East and West by way of time zone” – have all contributed in direction of the area’s rising profile.
Moreover, the United Arab Emirates’ younger inhabitants is very “enthusiastic” about new video games, with a median of 14 hours per week spent enjoying video games. Spend per capita on video games in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is among the many highest globally, in keeping with Jassoma.
Constant and pleasant
“There’s a gorgeous regulatory panorama over right here, particularly when taking a look at web3,” Jassoma continued.
“The UAE has actually put gaming know-how and disruptive know-how on the nationwide agenda and we see that focus with the various methods that have been launched throughout the metaverse, gaming and, extra just lately, with the common plan for AI.”
Whereas present challenges embrace the restricted availability of expertise and the necessity to “create consciousness” of the video games business with potential key stakeholders, Jassoma additionally highlighted that “from the start, Dubai has determined to be a crypto-friendly metropolis”.
He argued that this has created a extra steady, dependable locale for web3 builders than different markets with a much less constant stance.
Paired with the area’s “push for revolutionary applied sciences” like AI and blockchain, these elements have helped companies develop traction.
“If I’m to match UAE to different gamers within the area I’d say that the expansion right here is extra natural,” Jassoma.
“However I must admit that schooling is an space that we will enhance on and is the one most vital pillar that we have now to deal with to have extra sustained progress.”