The UAE gaming market is expected to reach USD 1.5 billion by 2025 https://newzoo.com/resources/blog/consumer-insights-and-data-united-arab-emirates-uae-games-market
There are over 2.5 million gamers in the UAE https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-ae/growth-strategies/lets-play-why-dubai-is-well-positioned-to-deliver-the/432222
The Dubai government aims to attract 500 gaming companies and create 2,000 jobs by 2030 https://dmc.ae/media/press-releases/dubai-media-city-launches-game_on-series-to-tap-uaes-growing-video-game-market
Dubai GameHub, a new initiative aimed at creating a physical hub for the gaming industry, is expected to further stimulate innovation and growth within the gaming sector https://dmc.ae/media/press-releases/dubai-media-city-launches-game_on-series-to-tap-uaes-growing-video-game-market
Major Companies and Their Contributions
Several prominent gaming companies have established a strong presence in Dubai, contributing to the city's burgeoning gaming scene. These include:
Ubisoft: The French gaming giant employs over 200 people in its Dubai regional hub, focusing on game development, publishing, and esports. Its presence has fostered a vibrant development community and attracted talent from across the region.
Riot Games: The developer of the popular League of Legends franchise has established a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) office in Dubai, focusing on esports initiatives and community engagement. This has boosted esports infrastructure and created opportunities for local players and professionals.
Unity Technologies: The leading game engine provider has set up a regional headquarters in Dubai, offering support to local developers and fostering innovation. This has facilitated access to advanced tools and expertise for Dubai-based game development studios.
VSPN: The global esports organization has partnered with Dubai's TECOM Group to develop an esports hub, including a training facility, broadcast studio, and event space. This has provided a physical home for esports activities and attracted international esports events to Dubai.
New Gaming Companies in Dubai
Several notable gaming companies have recently established a presence in Dubai, including:
Animoca Brands: In September 2023, Animoca Brands, a leading Web3 gaming company, announced plans to expand its team in Dubai. This expansion reflects the company's commitment to the region's gaming potential and its belief in Dubai's position as a hub for innovative gaming companies.
Riot Games: Riot Games, the developer of the popular League of Legends franchise, opened a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) office in Dubai in 2022. This office is focused on esports initiatives and community engagement, further solidifying Dubai's position as a center for esports.
Unity Technologies: In 2021, Unity Technologies, a leading game engine provider, established a regional headquarters in Dubai. This move provides support to local developers and fosters innovation within the gaming ecosystem.
Last news
Dubai Gaming Strategy 2030
In 2023, the Dubai government unveiled its Dubai Gaming Strategy 2030, outlining ambitious plans to transform the city into a global leader in the gaming industry. The strategy aims to attract 500 gaming companies and create 2,000 jobs by 2030.
Growing Esports Scene
The esports industry is witnessing rapid growth in Dubai, with a growing number of tournaments and events taking place in the city. In 2023, Dubai hosted the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice 2023 MENA Finals, a major esports tournament featuring top players from the region.
Dubai GameHub
In October 2023, Dubai launched GameHub Dubai, a new initiative aimed at creating a physical hub for the gaming industry. This initiative aims to connect developers, publishers, and investors, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within the gaming community.
Dubai's Metaverse Strategy
Launched in 2022, outlines ambitious goals to position the city as a global hub for the metaverse, a convergence of virtual and physical worlds. The strategy focuses on four key pillars:
Attracting and Supporting Metaverse Companies: Aiming to attract 1,000 metaverse companies and generate $4 billion in economic value from the metaverse by 2030.
Developing Metaverse Infrastructure: Investing in advanced technologies and infrastructure to support the development and deployment of metaverse applications and experiences.
Fostering a Metaverse-Enabled Economy: Creating a regulatory framework and promoting policies that encourage innovation and investment in the metaverse.
Empowering Talent and Skills Development: Supporting education and training programs to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge required for metaverse-related jobs.
Numerical Highlights and Industry Impact
The gaming industry in Dubai is experiencing rapid growth, as evidenced by the following figures:
Gaming Market Value: The UAE gaming market is expected to reach USD 1.5 billion by 2025, with Dubai playing a significant role in this growth. This indicates the industry's strong economic potential and its contribution to the region's GDP.
Number of Gamers: The UAE is home to over 2.5 million gamers, making it one of the most active gaming markets in the Middle East and North Africa. This demonstrates the region's passion for gaming and the potential audience for gaming companies.
Esports Viewership: Esports viewership in the UAE is growing rapidly, with over 1.5 million people watching esports content regularly. This highlights the growing popularity of esports and the potential for esports events and tournaments in Dubai.
Government Support for Industry Growth
The Dubai government has taken a proactive approach to supporting the growth of the gaming industry, recognizing its potential for economic diversification and job creation. Key initiatives include:
Dubai Media City: The Dubai Media City free zone provides a supportive environment for gaming companies, offering incentives such as tax breaks, co-working spaces, and access to talent. This has attracted numerous gaming companies and created a cluster effect.
Dubai Esports Academy: Established in partnership with VSPN, the Dubai Esports Academy provides professional training and education for aspiring esports athletes and industry professionals. This has fostered a pipeline of skilled esports talent and supported the growth of the esports ecosystem.
GameHub Dubai: A recently launched initiative, GameHub Dubai aims to create a physical hub for the gaming industry, connecting developers, publishers, and investors. This has facilitated collaboration and knowledge sharing within the gaming community.
Here are some salary ranges for different positions in the gaming industry in Dubai:
Game Developer: USD 30,000 to USD 100,000 per year
Game Designer: USD 40,000 to USD 120,000 per year
Technical Artist: USD 35,000 to USD 80,000 per year
Quality Assurance Tester: USD 25,000 to USD 60,000 per year
UI/UX Designer: USD 35,000 to USD 80,000 per year
Product Manager: USD 50,000 to USD 150,000 per year
Marketing Manager: USD 45,000 to USD 120,000 per year
Community Manager: USD 30,000 to USD 70,000 per year
Esports Manager: USD 40,000 to USD 100,000 per year
Business Development Manager: USD 45,000 to USD 120,000 per year* Keep in mind that for Metaverse Gaming roles salaries are much higher.
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