Dubai¡¯s Robust Esports Culture Makes Everyone A Winner

Along with numerous tourist attractions, Esports remains one of the most sought after activities in Dubai. The authorities, being fully aware of the business potential of gaming, are capitalising on the opportunity by rolling out the red carpet to the international gamers and gaming entrepreneurs. The growing gaming community in Dubai promises a bright future.

Esports encompasses everything that¡¯s associated with the future. A fast-paced world, a technological revolution, a decreasing generation gap and a competitive yet a respectful public sphere. There is no other city than Dubai that can claim to seamlessly encompass all futuristic traits including a conducive environment for a robust esport culture.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the Middle East Gaming Market size is expected to grow from USD 5.71 billion in 2023 to USD 9.63 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 11.01% during the forecast period (2023-2028). The same report mentions that in the UAE the average gamer in the country spends USD 115 per year. Nine out of ten adults in the UAE currently play video games, according to data from Statista. This clearly shows the potential Dubai holds for the future of the gaming industry. The Emirate also organises Esports events to woo the enthusiasts at regular intervals.

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Kareem Seddik, CEO & Founder at YallaPlay Games, stressed that the gaming sector in Dubai and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been experiencing significant growth and presents various opportunities for gaming companies.

¡°Mobile gaming is the dominant segment in the MENA gaming market. The accessibility and affordability of smartphones have made mobile gaming highly popular. Developers and publishers focusing on mobile platforms have a significant advantage in capturing the market,¡± he said.

With Dubai aiming to leverage the growth of the gaming industry in the emirate, aligning with the ambitious D33 economic agenda to double the size of Dubai¡¯s economy over the next decade, the top gaming business leaders who participated in the DEF 2023 expressed great enthusiasm about the thriving industry and the government¡¯s support in this regard.

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Seddik noted that YallaPlay has grown to become one of the largest local games developers in MENA. ¡°The company developed the popular mobile games Tarneeb Masters (MENA) and Spades Masters (USA), which have attracted a dedicated player base exceeding 4 million downloads and are available to download on Google Play and the Apple Store. Tarneeb, which was our first game, is the most popular card game in the MENA, made the top ranks, and amassed over 400K followers on Facebook.¡±

Kareem mentioned that Dubai is the right place for anyone to start a business, as the Dubai government has shown considerable support for startup businesses and the gaming industry, providing a positive environment for entrepreneurs and gamers. ¡°Governments in this region are actively supporting the gaming industry by providing incentives, funding, and infrastructure. Initiatives like gaming festivals are encouraging entrepreneurship and fostering the growth of the sector,¡± he added.

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Nimit Deepak Palija, Chief Operating Officer at Geekey Group, a leading gaming and entertainment company in the Middle East, also stated that Dubai provides the ideal environment for the gaming industry to flourish.

¡°Dubai has emerged as a vibrant hub for the gaming industry, offering a unique blend of innovation, technology, and entertainment. As the industry continues to grow, Dubai is positioning itself as a leading destination for gaming enthusiasts and companies alike,¡± he said. ¡°The supportive environment of Dubai has helped companies like ours to grow and perform with freedom,¡± he added.

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The gamers in the city are aided by the presence of a super fast 5G network too. The Emirate authorities are aware that they have to supplement people¡¯s zeal with necessary back up. Therefore, regular workshops and annual Esports events are organised in order to bring top gamers and Esports companies from across the world.

Anirudh Pandita, Founder of Loco & Pocket Aces, also expressed similar thoughts, appreciating the platform provided by the Dubai Esports Festival for professionals across the gaming value chain to gather and learn from each other. Pandita mentioned that gaming is a large, high-growth industry, with the MENA region alone representing a $2 billion+ market growing at close to 10% CAGR, led by Saudi Arabia.

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¡°From a global perspective, the South Asia and MENA region together represent the largest population watching mobile esports in the world. This makes it an exciting region for us at Loco - we are already leaders in India and looking at other exciting regions where we can help gaming ecosystems grow,¡± he said.