Latest news with #DubaiEsportsandGamesFestival
Hi Dubai
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 Breaks Records and Reinforces Global Gaming Ambitions
Dubai solidified its status as a global gaming hub with the record-breaking success of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025, the region's largest celebration of gaming, esports, and digital innovation. Drawing over 45,000 attendees across 17 days, the fourth edition of the festival delivered a dynamic mix of entertainment, education, and economic opportunity. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), DEF 2025 featured 12 major events and attracted 3.8 million gamers across more than 90 tournaments on popular titles such as EA FC 25, Valorant, and Fortnite. The flagship GameExpo welcomed 34,800 visitors for the city's biggest-ever gaming weekend, with fans, families, and professionals engaging in immersive experiences, creator showdowns, and cosplay competitions. The festival hosted over 2,000 professionals from 70 countries at the GameExpo Summit and Gaming Matters conference, highlighting Dubai's growing influence in the global gaming sector. More than 75 speakers led discussions on AI, Web3, monetisation, and investment opportunities, while indie developers and start-ups pitched innovations to top investors. Youth engagement was another standout success. DEF's Education Programme reached 16,500 students and educators from 250 UAE schools, offering workshops, tournaments, and career-focused experiences to inspire the next generation of talent. More than 775 brands activated across the festival, reflecting DEF's value as a platform for market expansion and strategic collaboration. Exclusive retail promotions and hospitality deals further enhanced the citywide celebration. DFRE CEO Ahmed Al Khaja hailed the event as a key driver of Dubai's digital economy, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubai Program for Gaming 2033. 'DEF has evolved into a high-impact platform that delivers real strategic value,' he said. DEF 2025 stands as a milestone in Dubai's journey to becoming a global powerhouse in gaming and esports. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Hi Dubai
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hi Dubai
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 Draws Global Gaming Leaders and Boosts Regional Industry Growth
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 brought together over 1,400 gaming and esports professionals from 70 countries, reinforcing the UAE's growing status as a regional hub for the global gaming industry. Hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre as part of the wider Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), the summit was powered by Pocket Gamer Connects in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Over 2,000 meetings were facilitated through the MeetToMatch platform, as attendees explored the rapidly expanding gaming ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa. The two-day event featured more than 75 speakers, including industry leaders and government officials, who led sessions on artificial intelligence, web3 technologies, growth strategies, and user acquisition. One of the summit's key highlights was the launch of the PitchPlay competition, presented in partnership with DMCC Gaming Centre. The contest gave promising game start-ups a stage to present their innovations. The top prize of AED55,000 was awarded to Martin Lothe Saeterdal's studio, Filiokus, for its engaging approach to mobile games that make maths fun. The Very Big Indie Pitch, a returning crowd favourite, also spotlighted rising indie developers and connected them with seasoned experts. Muna Al Falasi, Director of Esports and Games Strategy at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, called the summit a 'pivotal moment' in Dubai's journey to becoming a global gaming leader. She noted the event's role in accelerating digital innovation, supporting SMEs, and creating career opportunities in the sector. With international participation and a clear focus on innovation, the summit underscored Dubai's strategic push to lead the gaming and esports space across the region. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Observer
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Dubai Esports and Games Festival shapes games future
MUSCAT: The fourth edition of Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF 2025) concluded after 17 days of the great excitement and thrill at Dubai World Trade Centre. The world event, organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), had launched the first edition in 2022. The DEF 2025 Festival sets out to shape emerging trends in both the regional and global gaming landscape, further strengthening Dubai's standing as a premier destination for esports, immersive digital entertainment, and cutting-edge innovation. This year's edition presented a dynamic lineup of events, including the vibrant GameExpo, high-stake esports tournaments, and influencer-led challenges. In addition, the GameExpo Summit offered a platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas and foster partnerships through its thought-provoking conference sessions and strategic B2B networking opportunities, drawing participation from companies around the globe. The festival attracted thousands of participants and spectators from across the region, offering a range of ticketing options to ensure accessibility for all, the tickets starting from AED 29 for students and AED 44 for adults for single-day access. The event featured dozens of esports tournaments and interactive challenges, with total prizes exceeding AED 500,000. Cosplayers strike a pose Brass Monkey gaming centre The games at House of Hype One of the most thrilling and popular games at the festival was Pac-Man which is a life-sized recreation of the iconic arcade game, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge interactive technology. Already a hit in Manchester, this immersive experience invites players to journey through a glowing digital maze, complete with stunning projections, pulse-pounding challenges, and surprise encounters around every corner. Brass Monkey at City Walk stands out as a vibrant entertainment hub, offering a wide selection of classic and modern games. With 12 bowling lanes, auto-scoring darts, billiards and a variety of retro arcade games, it provides a dynamic space where visitors can enjoy interactive and nostalgic gameplay in a lively setting. As part of the accompanying experiences during DEF 2025, House of Hype offered visitors an expansive interactive playground filled with over 100 immersive gaming and digital adventures. Located in the heart of Dubai Mall, the space featured virtual challenges, sensory environments, and unexpected interactive elements, making it a standout destination for gamers and thrill-seekers exploring the festival's broader scope. Bowling game at Brass Monkey DEF 2025 at Dubai World Trade Centre Testing a car racing game INDOOR VIRTUAL REALITY ZONE On the other hand, the world's biggest indoor virtual reality zone, VR Park, has now evolved into Play DXB. Located in Dubai Mall (with a second location now at Dubai Hills Mall), Play DXB offers more diverse entertainment with plenty of options that toddlers, teens and the young at heart can enjoy. This is the place to be for hours of non-stop fun and to test out your skills in fun competitive sessions with friends. Discover more than 30 game-changing adventures across a range of immersive and educational 'journeys'. Reminisce about the good old days on a classic carousel ride with the kids, or see if you can conquer the top scores at the arcade games. While the little ones have a ball at the inflatable playground and trampolines, you can don an Oculus gaming headset, delve into a Transformers-themed adventure and beat the bad guys. Testing PacMan game Pac-Man game StreetXO centre The Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF 2025) offered a dynamic blend of innovation, competition, and interactive entertainment. From high-energy esports tournaments to immersive digital experiences, the festival brought together gamers, tech enthusiasts, and families for a celebration of cutting-edge gaming culture. Its diverse sections catered to all ages and interests — from virtual reality zones and classic arcade setups to futuristic showcases and influencer challenges — creating a truly engaging atmosphere. After hours of gameplay and digital exploration, visitors naturally sought a moment of rest and culinary indulgence. Among the standout dining experiences was StreetXO, a unique venue that reinterprets global street food through bold and inventive techniques. Located in One Za'abeel, the restaurant offers a menu of creatively presented dishes that merge international flavors in unexpected ways, reflecting a playful yet sophisticated take on modern dining — the perfect pause in a day filled with adrenaline and adventure.
Hi Dubai
08-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
GameExpo Summit 2025 Draws Global Gaming Leaders to Dubai for Innovation and Investment
GameExpo Summit 2025 kicked off this week at Dubai World Trade Centre, uniting over 1,500 global gaming professionals for two days of high-level networking, innovation showcases, and strategic dialogue. Held on 7–8 May, the premier B2B gaming conference returned as a key part of the citywide Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), now in its fourth edition. Powered by Pocket Gamer Connects in partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the summit continues to position Dubai as a central hub in the MENA region's rapidly growing gaming economy. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the event offers a vital platform for developers, publishers, investors, and tech innovators. More than 70 leading voices from across the global gaming industry are headlining the event, leading discussions across nine themed tracks. These include hot-button topics like AI, web3, metaverse technology, user acquisition strategies, monetisation models, and game publishing trends. A key highlight of this year's agenda is the debut of the Investment Summit, designed to spotlight emerging investment opportunities in gaming. The programme features expert panels on market growth, funding strategies, and the advantages of investing in Dubai's thriving digital sector. Also making its first appearance is PitchPlay, an investment-focused contest hosted with DMCC. It gives game entrepreneurs and startups a chance to win prizes worth AED 55,000, including a DMCC Gaming Centre Package and promotional support. Returning favourites include The Very Big Indie Pitch and the Connector SpeedMatch sessions, offering developers fast-track access to investors and publishers. Meanwhile, the Futura Advice Pitstop provides one-on-one consultations with legal and tax specialists, underscoring the summit's comprehensive approach to empowering the gaming ecosystem. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hi Dubai
05-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai World Trade Centre Hosts Global Industry Events Throughout May
Dubai World Trade Centre is set to become the region's hub for innovation and industry this May, with a packed calendar of international exhibitions and conferences spanning cybersecurity, e-commerce, hospitality, interior design, and more. The month kicks off from 6th to 8th May with four major events: the Airport Show, the Global Economic Leaders' Forum, Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East, and GISEC GLOBAL, a premier cybersecurity gathering. From 7th to 11th May, the Dubai Esports and Games Festival will take center stage alongside the Game Expo Summit, showcasing the latest in gaming and interactive entertainment. The momentum continues mid-month with the World Police Summit and CABSAT from 13th to 15th May, focusing on law enforcement innovation and satellite communications. Running concurrently are Integrate Middle East, centered on audiovisual tech, and SATExpo Middle East, spotlighting global collaboration in space and satellite industries. On 16th and 17th May, the Baby Expo Dubai will bring together leading maternal and childcare brands, offering guidance and products for modern parenting. Seamless Middle East returns from 20th to 22nd May under the banner 'The Future of Digital Commerce,' covering a wide spectrum including payments, fintech, retail, and digital identity. The Crypto Expo Dubai and an AWS summit will also be held on 21st and 22nd May, drawing the region's top names in cryptocurrency and cloud computing. Closing out the month, INDEX Dubai and The Hotel Show will run from 27th to 29th May, spotlighting interior design trends and hospitality innovations across the region. With such a diverse lineup, DWTC reinforces its role as a driving force behind Dubai's position as a global business and innovation hub. News Source: Emirates News Agency
