Why Dubai is about to turn into launchpad for video games and web3

The Dubai GameExpo Summit powered by Pocket Gamer Connects returns on Might seventh to eighth 2025, providing an opportunity to realize 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 summary over all the numerous occasions occurring along side the Dubai GameExpo Summit right here.

The worth of MENA and Dubai

MENA video games income is anticipated to achieve $6 billion by 2027, nearly doubling since 2021, based on 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 world enterprise hub and because the gateway to the Center East Africa and South Asia. It’s very centralised,” he mentioned.

Particularly, he famous that the United Arab Emirates has emerged as “one of many main gaming hubs”, with Dubai largely on the forefront.

He steered that prime earnings ranges, public funding initiatives and Dubai’s centralised location – “capable of handle East and West when it comes to time zone” – have all contributed in the direction of the area’s rising profile.

Moreover, the United Arab Emirates’ younger inhabitants is very “enthusiastic” about new video games, with a mean of 14 hours per week spent taking part in video games. Spend per capita on video games in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is among the many highest globally, based on Jassoma.

Constant and pleasant

“There’s a beautiful regulatory panorama over right here, particularly when taking a look at web3,” Jassoma continued.

“The UAE has actually put gaming expertise and disruptive expertise on the nationwide agenda and we see that focus with the numerous methods that had been launched throughout the metaverse, gaming and, extra 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 secure, dependable locale for web3 builders than different markets with a much less constant stance.

Paired with the area’s “push for progressive 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 might 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 only most necessary pillar that we've to concentrate on to have extra sustained progress.”

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