{"id":52824,"date":"2025-02-12T07:02:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T07:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/leveling-up-abu-dhabis-video-game-scene-powering-the-knowledge-economy\/"},"modified":"2025-02-12T07:02:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T07:02:00","slug":"leveling-up-abu-dhabis-video-game-scene-powering-the-knowledge-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=52824","title":{"rendered":"Leveling Up: Abu Dhabi\u2019s video game scene powering the knowledge economy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tABU DHABI: In a dynamic landscape where innovation is paramount, Abu Dhabi is staking its claim. As the emirate navigates the shifting tides of the knowledge economy, the video game industry is emerging as a transformative force, proving to be a powerful catalyst for progress and innovation.<\/p>\n
\n\tWith the potential to redefine entertainment, education, and technology, gaming presents a unique opportunity for Abu Dhabi to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and digitized world.<\/p>\n
\n\tTo put it bluntly, gaming is the future and Abu Dhabi has a major role to play in making this future a reality. By staying ahead of the curve, we will attract global talent to the emirate whilst creating new career paths for aspiring local talent to realize their dreams.<\/p>\n
\n\tNext phase of the knowledge economy<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\tAs the global gaming industry became mainstream, Abu Dhabi was right there beside it. This growth dates to Ubisoft\u2019s arrival in the UAE capital in 2010. As data began to show the speed at which the Middle East\u2019s gaming market was growing, more companies took advantage of this growth by settling in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe industry is now thriving and growing at pace, with highly skilled jobs being created that encompass the latest trends in game development technology such as AI, machine learning and game analytics.<\/p>\n
\n\tEach year, we push the boundaries of learning and development even further. We have started 2025 strong by hosting Global Game Jam, the world’s largest game jam event, which takes place simultaneously around the globe. One of the locations this year was Berklee in Manarat Al Saadiyat hosted by Abu Dhabi Gaming, where game developers and enthusiast had 48 hours to develop and showcase their projects in a safe and welcoming environment.<\/p>\n
Mohamed Khalifa Al-Mubarak, Chairman of the\u00a0Department of Culture and Tourism \u2013 Abu Dhabi. (Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n
\n\tEvery initiative matters, as Abu Dhabi leads the way in driving forward the growth of the knowledge-based economy.<\/p>\n
\n\tWith revenues forecast to rise from $455 billion in 2024 to $625 billion by 2028, the global gaming industry continues to grow at a healthy rate, with the UAE and its legions of tech-savvy gamers now accounting for 30 percent of revenue in the MENA region.<\/p>\n
\n\tRecognizing the creative potential of the gaming industry at the Department of Culture and Tourism \u2013 Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), we\u2019ve actively pursued strategies to leverage its power. This involved adopting a comprehensive approach with three key pillars: developing the local talent pipeline and creating a second home for the global talent pool; bringing a healthy mix of game developers to Abu Dhabi and supporting the local home-grown development studios; engaging with the esports and gaming community across the globe.<\/p>\n
\n\tWe can point to immense progress on all three of the strategy\u2019s pillars.<\/p>\n
\n\tTalent development<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\tEstablishing a robust talent development pipeline stands as one of our top priorities, and we are making significant strides in this regard. Our initial move involved forging more than a decade-long partnership with Unity Technologies to enhance the skill set of our workforce. With its Middle East and Africa headquarters based in Abu Dhabi, San Francisco\u2019s Unity is a leader in the industry, powering 80 percent of mobile games globally. Undertaking Unity training enhances employability prospects significantly and helps keep early-career talent in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n
\n\tBringing game developers to Abu Dhabi<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\tAbu Dhabi is now home to more than 80 video game companies, the largest such community in the region. These companies and organizations, such as MY.Games, Sperasoft and Ninjas In Pyjamas, are drawn to Abu Dhabi by its reputation for delivering results. Last year, leading esports company NIP Group entered into a five-year term gaming subsidy agreement with DCT Abu Dhabi, with an aim to elevate its presence in the region.<\/p>\n
\n\tFacilitating this growth is Abu Dhabi Gaming, serving as a vital connector within our community. Through initiatives like internship events, Abu Dhabi Gaming matches students with companies, streamlining the process for founders who can conduct multiple interviews in a single evening.<\/p>\n
\n\tIn the words of the late Steve Jobs, \u201cReal artists ship.\u201d, as in, deliver their products. Innovation has the potential to yield incredible results, but action is essential to realize its full potential \u2013 and Abu Dhabi Gaming is our channel for action in gaming.<\/p>\n
\n\tEsports<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\tEsports events pack arenas and have huge global viewership \u2013 over 540 million people worldwide by the latest estimates. At the local level, these big-tent events activate the gaming community by creating occasions that draw gamers together \u2013 which then paves the way for the success of further community gatherings such as Gaming4Good and the Yas Gaming Festival.<\/p>\n
\n\tIncreasingly, Abu Dhabi-based esports teams are making their mark on the global stage. Take, for example, Nigma Galaxy, a mainly Arab Dota 2 team that clinched a world championship title ahead of setting up their HQ in Abu Dhabi. With a support team comprising of a psychologist, strategist and analysts, they exemplify the professionalism in esports. Additionally, local talent like Amjad Al Shalabi, also known as AngryBird, emerged victorious at the 2023 EVO (Street Fighter) world championship in Las Vegas. We are also seeing a surge in the number of esports academies across the emirate to bring rising local stars to the forefront of competitive gaming.<\/p>\n
\n\tRecognizing the growth opportunities the emirate has to offer, more teams are establishing themselves in Abu Dhabi: the emirate is poised to become a leading regional hub for esports, fostering heightened competition levels as teams train local gamers, and a burgeoning fan base as tournaments highlight local venues.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe future is ours<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\tDCT Abu Dhabi\u2019s vision is for Abu Dhabi Gaming to be a key player on the global stage. We believe it is important to tell more stories about the region through gaming, akin to how Dynasty Warriors presents Chinese imperial history. This is starting to happen. For instance, Ubisoft’s team collaborated with multiple museums and historians covering Islamic art, architecture and history to ensure the authenticity of Assassin\u2019s Creed Mirage\u2019s portrayal of medieval Baghdad, highlighting its historical significance as a center of science and mathematics during that period.<\/p>\n
\n\tIn years to come we will witness more local success stories in game development. These energies are bubbling up at companies like Kashkool Games. Founded by three Emirati brothers, they have been working on their game called Sheba: A New Dawn for years and are now under the umbrella of Abu Dhabi Gaming. The game was successfully published last year, and they are already working on their second title with an increased focus in showcasing Emirati culture and preserving heritage.<\/p>\n
\n\tAI is also an essential consideration as we move forward. AI and machine learning can transform games so that every time you play, the game is different. The monster around the corner this time won\u2019t be the same monster as last time. Speech can be crafted so that every interaction is unique for every player. Developing games using AI technology is a skillset that needs to be leveraged and one for which the demand is only going to grow.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe opportunity in front of us is endless. Here in Abu Dhabi we are harnessing the power of creation, welcoming the dreamers and creating a world class ecosystem for the gaming industry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n