Latest news with #GameExpo
Emirates 24/7
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates 24/7
Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 Concludes with Record-Breaking Success to Solidify Dubai's Global Position in Gaming, Tech, and Innovation
Dubai's gaming economy took centre stage this month as the biggest-ever edition of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025 powered a citywide showcase of innovation, talent, and investment opportunity. The fourth season of the region's largest and most exciting esports and gaming festival concluded with resounding success, witnessing record-breaking numbers and reinforcing Dubai's ambition to become a global hub for gaming and digital innovation. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), DEF 2025 welcomed more than 45,000 fans, families, and pros across 12 major events spanning 17 action-packed days, combining family-friendly fun with strategic programming designed to fuel the future of the sector. High-impact moments took centre-stage across DEF's flagship GameExpo event, as well as the GameExpo Summit, Gaming Matters, Dubai Cosplay Championship, Play Beyond, and several citywide tournaments, education challenges, and immersive experiences. The festival proved to be a resounding success in bringing together every element of the gaming ecosystem - from families, friends, and students to developers, creators, and even business leaders - all shaping the future of esports, technology, and digital innovation together. Underscoring the scale and momentum of the MENA gaming economy, the festival brought together 3.8 million gamers across more than 90 tournaments on crowd-favourite titles like EA FC 25, Yalla Ludo, Tekken 8, Valorant, and Fortnite. Overall, the festival delivered a blockbuster line-up of games, showcasing over 130 titles, including more than 10 brand-new releases. Bringing the community together like never before, DEF's flagship GameExpo event united more than 34,800 fans, families, and pros to discover one-of-a-kind gaming experiences during the city's biggest-ever gaming weekend, where 900 standout winners walked away with incredible raffles and prizes worth over AED 700,000. Reaffirming Dubai's unique ability to convene and catalyse the sector as a regional hub for the gaming industry, the festival also convened 2,000 professionals from 70 countries in two high-profile B2B events, while spotlighting 260 SMEs from the gaming and tech sectors with access to global platforms, investor networks, and public-private collaboration opportunities. The festival's commitment to youth engagement reached exciting new heights this year, with the DEF Education Engagement Programme gathering more than 16,000 students and educators from 250 schools across the UAE. The programme featured gaming tournaments, impactful workshops, expert career advice, game truck visits to schools, and a cross curricular calendar of ideas. Over 7,000 students attended the DEF Education Day live at GameExpo, highlighting incredible on stage gaming skills, powerful presenting skills in Game Changers, as well showcasing in the Power Up Parade. Meanwhile 95 workshops and learning sessions delivered hands-on skills, insights, and creative inspiration to fans and students alike. From hands-on consumer experiences to high-level industry announcements, the festival aligned closely with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 to deliver robust economic value and reinforcing Dubai's role as a global hub for gaming and esports. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'The record-breaking success of Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 is a powerful testament to Dubai's growing influence in the global gaming and esports landscape. We are proud to have once again curated an immersive, inclusive, and engaging programme that brought endless opportunities for everyone to pursue their passion, harness their talent, and realise the full potential of the gaming and esports industry. By mobilising the entire ecosystem - from gamers and creators to startups, developers, investors, and global industry experts - DEF has undoubtedly evolved into a high-impact festival that not only champions entertainment and innovation but also delivers real economic and strategic value. As we continue to deliver on the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, DEF remains critical to building future-ready industries, empowering youth, and driving innovation that aligns with Dubai's digital economy ambitions.' ULTIMATE GAMING PLAYGROUND FOR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND FANS DEF's flagship GameExpo event welcomed more than 34,800 fans, families, casual gamers, and esports enthusiasts for Dubai's biggest-ever weekend of endless gaming, immersive fun, and enthralling discovery. Squads from across the city rallied together to explore a reimagined space spread across eight interactive zones, including the Modesh Retro Zone, Emirates NBD Family Zone, The Amazon Joy Quest: The New IRL Zone brought to you by Amazon, The Main Arena, Gaming District, The Narrows, and two dedicated talabat F&B Zones that featured over 18 F&B outlets. Everyone had the chance to witness, play, and win all weekend across everything from competitive faceoffs and thrilling live challenges on crowd-favourite gaming titles to all-female matchups, cutting-edge gaming gear, creative cosplay competitions, interactive brand activations, and meet-ups with gaming legends. For the first time, GameExpo partnered with TikTok MENA to deliver front-row digital access to fans across the region. Allowing audiences to stay connected to the excitement, whether at home or on the go, all key tournament moments and gameplay highlights were live streamed from popular titles including Valorant, Fortnite, Minecraft, Tekken 8, Fall Guys, Chained Together, and FC25. Underscoring the festival's value as a platform for brand engagement and market expansion, a dynamic mix of 775 brands elevated the festival's excitement to new heights. From tech and lifestyle to beauty and banking, participating brands included Red Bull, Bitget X SWEAT, AI Vista Photobooth, Anigma, Antifreeze - Immersionica, Arab Hardware, ASUS ROG, Benefit, du, Dubai Police, Emirates NBD, Geekay, Gillette, LG, Nasr Esports Academy, PlayStation, Rove Hotels, PubG Mobile, The Vintage Company, Ultra PC Gamers, Virgin Radio, and more. Attendees also enjoyed giveaways of exclusive Modesh merchandise and had a chance to meet the much-loved character during special appearances all weekend. CREATOR FACE-OFFS AND COMMUNITY HYPE GameExpo's Play Beyond pulsed with excitement as some of the biggest names in regional gaming lit up the arena. Fan-favourite AboFlah made a highly anticipated return, teaming up with Sultan Khalifa and two lucky fans in a thrilling showdown against top-tier talent from Nasr Esports Academy and popular creators including 6th_kage, Khaled Dego, and AWYA. The epic gaming battles kept crowds on their feet, with the Nasr Esports Academy ultimately seizing victory and lifting the coveted Play Beyond trophy, cementing their status as champions. COSPLAY COMES ALIVE Vibrant characters stole the spotlight during the Dubai Cosplay Championship, where standout talent from across the region competed for a share of the AED 30,000 prize pool. Participants impressed with their creativity and craftsmanship, judged by a distinguished panel including @sabcosplay, @mingmihoo, @vegacosplay, and @sayochuu. The event served as a dynamic celebration of artistic expression and fan culture. Winners included Evgenii Aleksandrov, who claimed first spot in the solo category; Ahmed Serag, recognised for Best Craft; Sofiane Touchene, awarded for Best Show; and Rana and Fatima Al Yousif who earned top honours in the group segment - all celebrated for their incredible creativity, craftsmanship, and crowd appeal. HIGH-STAKES ESPORTS COMPETITIONS DEF 2025 saw more than 3.8 million players take part in thrilling regional and local tournaments, reflecting the festival's growing influence across the gaming community. Standout tournaments such as the Yalla Ludo Challenge, high-energy Red Bull matchups, True Gamers Tournament, and Bloom World Academy Minecraft Family Challenge drew large crowds and fierce competition with pulse-pounding finals. In a proud moment for the country, the regional FC25 Dubai Cup in partnership with PlayStation crowned a winner from the UAE who emerged victorious after intense knockout rounds with a staggering 31,000 participants from across the GCC. One of the weekend's most empowering and inclusive highlights was an electrifying all-female Valorant faceoff, supported by Benefit. Top female esports athletes from the University of Wollongong and Princess Noura University went head-to-head in a high-intensity match, captivating the crowd with sharp strategies, fearless gameplay, and undeniable passion. GLOBAL VISIONARIES AND INDUSTRY POWERHOUSES Welcoming gaming industry professionals to power up their knowledge, the GameExpo Summit on May 7 and 8 gathered more than 1,700 professionals from 70 countries to explore the future of gaming, with powerful keynotes and deep-dive panels spanning investment, talent development, and Web3. Over two packed days, more than 75 speakers delivered insight-rich sessions across nine themed tracks, covering AI, Web3, user acquisition, monetisation, and beyond. Meanwhile, over 2,000 structured meetings complemented a flurry of spontaneous networking and strategic discussions. A key new addition was the Investment Summit, which explored opportunities in Dubai and wider emerging markets, highlighting the MENA region's rising appeal in the global games investment landscape. Championing creativity, entrepreneurship, and emerging talent, the Summit provided a high-impact platform for rising stars in game development. The inaugural PitchPlay competition, held with DMCC Gaming Centre, saw over 50 gaming start-ups pitch innovative concepts, with Filiokus by Martin Lothe Saeterdal ultimately taking home the AED 55,000 grand prize. Indie developers were also in the spotlight, with the return of the Very Big Indie Pitch competition crowning standout titles across console, PC, and mobile platforms - including Fideo's Adventure by Nomadroid, Mad King Redemption by Secret Mission, and Azooma Escape by Ash Games Studio. Meanwhile, the Big Indie Zone, supported by ID@Xbox, showcased the vibrant world of independent game development, culminating in Merge Empress by Tiny Kraken Games winning the Audience Choice Award. The summit also hosted the return of the highly awaited MENA Games Industry Awards 2025, which celebrated excellence in regional game development across 13 extensive categories - with full results available on the Pocket Gamer website. Continuing its line-up of industry events, the exclusive Gaming Matters conference brought together over 400 global C-suite executives, business leaders, and the most influential figures in the global gaming industry to connect, discuss, and innovate for success in today's rapidly growing MENA gaming market. Hosted in partnership with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and co-hosted by the DMCC Gaming Centre, the high-level event provided an intimate platform for strategic discussions to explore the future of gaming, esports, and Web3. FUTURE-READY LEARNING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF GAMERS Beyond immediate gameplay, DEF championed the intersection of gaming, education, and innovation by expanding its impact to foster future-ready skills, digital literacy, and career awareness. The DEF Educational Engagement Programme reached over 16,500 students and educators from 250 schools across the UAE, helping them explore future-focused skills and career pathways. Competing for a prize pool of AED 50,000, students had the chance to tackle dynamic challenges such as the ENBD Fortnite Quest, the Minecraft Education Challenge, the GameOn with HP Gaming Garage hackathon, and the Game Changers Competition. The first-ever Game Quest Express mobile gaming truck toured registered schools across Dubai to bring high-tech interactive console, VR, and PC gaming experiences for students. Teachers utilised the DEF Level Up Calendar featuring cross-curricular ideas and links to inspire gaming and esports as viable career pathways, while hosting the Power Up Parade for students to dress up as their favourite gaming characters. Finally, a dedicated DEF Education Day brought together students to GameExpo from across the UAE in a vibrant showcase of talent, creativity, and innovation. The day also spotlighted future-focused learning through expert-led workshops by Microsoft and Unreal Engine; immersive experiences including The Amazon Joy Quest and Just Dance; as well as access to thousands of retro and modern games. EXCLUSIVE DEALS DEF excitement extended into Dubai's retail sector with exclusive promotions and limited-time deals spanning across more than 2,500 outlets and over 240 leading brands. Shoppers enjoyed exceptional savings on gaming gear, electronics, toys, and lifestyle products at popular retailers such as Beefurb Technologies, Borders, E City, Eros, Harman House, LEGO, Sharaf DG, Samsung, Virgin Megastore, Blossom Home Furniture, Carrefour, and more. Participating malls include BurJuman, City Centre Deira, City Centre Me'aisem, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Festival City Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Outlet Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Mercato, Nakheel Mall, Times Square Center, amongst others. At Mall of the Emirates, customers spending AED 500 or more on electronics received 15X SHARE points and had the opportunity to win instant prizes through an interactive gaming experience. To elevate the experience for out-of-town visitors, attendees of GameExpo, GameExpo Summit, and Gaming Matters enjoyed an exclusive 25 per cent discount at select Rove Hotels across Dubai, offering convenient and affordable stays just moments away from all the festival action. As DEF continues to grow, it stands as a powerful testament to Dubai's commitment to shaping the future of esports and gaming, not only as an entertainment powerhouse, but as a vital engine for education, business, and economic development. Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025 was supported by Strategic Partners which include: Amazon, du, Dubai Police, Dubai Sports Council, Emirates NBD, Red Bull, Rove, Roxy Cinemas, talabat, and Virgin Radio. To catch the highlights of this year's edition, please visit the DEF 2025 website and follow @DubaiFestivals on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 concludes with record-breaking success
Fourth edition of the region's largest and most exciting esports and gaming festival welcomed more than 45,000 fans, families, and pros across 12 epic events featuring 775 brands spanning 17 action-packed days Over 130 games were played throughout the festival, including more than 10 brand-new releases, offering a full-spectrum showcase from indie gems to blockbusters More than 3.8 million gamers participated in more than 90 tournaments, making DEF one of the city's largest multiplayer battlegrounds Total prizes worth over AED 700,000 awarded to 900 standout winners during the the city's biggest-ever gaming weekend at GameExpo DEF Education Engagement Programme reached more than 16,000 students and educators from 250 schools across the UAE with impactful hands-on workshops, career exploration opportunities, and chances to win prizes worth AED 50,000, including 7,000 young students who witnessed live student battles in top gaming titles during DEF Education Day at GameExpo More than 2,000 industry professionals from 70 countries gathered for two high-profile B2B events to drive forward future-focused conversations in gaming and esports 260 SMEs from the gaming and tech sectors spotlighted throughout DEF, with a chance to connect with investors, partners, and global platforms 95 workshops and learning sessions delivered hands-on skills, insights, and creative inspiration to fans and students alike Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai's gaming economy took centre stage this month as the biggest-ever edition of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025 powered a citywide showcase of innovation, talent, and investment opportunity. The fourth season of the region's largest and most exciting esports and gaming festival concluded with resounding success, witnessing record-breaking numbers and reinforcing Dubai's ambition to become a global hub for gaming and digital innovation. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), DEF 2025 welcomed more than 45,000 fans, families, and pros across 12 major events spanning 17 action-packed days,combining family-friendly fun with strategic programming designed to fuel the future of the sector. High-impact moments took centre-stage across DEF's flagship GameExpo event, as well as the GameExpo Summit, Gaming Matters, Dubai Cosplay Championship, Play Beyond, and several citywide tournaments, education challenges, and immersive experiences. The festival proved to be a resounding success in bringing together every element of the gaming ecosystem - from families, friends, and students to developers, creators, and even business leaders - all shaping the future of esports, technology, and digital innovation together. Underscoring the scale and momentum of the MENA gaming economy, the festival brought together 3.8 million gamers across more than 90 tournaments on crowd-favourite titles like EA FC 25, Yalla Ludo, Tekken 8, Valorant, and Fortnite. Overall, the festival delivered a blockbuster line-up of games, showcasing over 130 titles, including more than 10 brand-new releases. Bringing the community together like never before, DEF's flagship GameExpo event united more than 34,800 fans, families, and pros to discover one-of-a-kind gaming experiences during the city's biggest-ever gaming weekend, where 900 standout winners walked away with incredible raffles and prizes worth over AED 700,000. Reaffirming Dubai's unique ability to convene and catalyse the sector as a regional hub for the gaming industry, the festival also convened 2,000 professionals from 70 countries in two high-profile B2B events, while spotlighting 260 SMEs from the gaming and tech sectors with access to global platforms, investor networks, and public-private collaboration opportunities. The festival's commitment to youth engagement reached exciting new heights this year, with the DEF Education Engagement Programme gathering more than 16,000 students and educators from 250 schools across the UAE. The programme featured gaming tournaments, impactful workshops, expert career advice, game truck visits to schools, and a cross curricular calendar of ideas. Over 7,000 students attended the DEF Education Day live at GameExpo, highlighting incredible on stage gaming skills, powerful presenting skills in Game Changers, as well showcasing in the Power Up Parade. Meanwhile 95 workshops and learning sessions delivered hands-on skills, insights, and creative inspiration to fans and students alike. From hands-on consumer experiences to high-level industry announcements, the festival aligned closely with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 to deliver robust economic value and reinforcing Dubai's role as a global hub for gaming and esports. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'The record-breaking success of Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 is a powerful testament to Dubai's growing influence in the global gaming and esports landscape. We are proud to have once again curated an immersive, inclusive, and engaging programme that brought endless opportunities for everyone to pursue their passion, harness their talent, and realise the full potential of the gaming and esports industry. By mobilising the entire ecosystem - from gamers and creators to startups, developers, investors, and global industry experts - DEF has undoubtedly evolved into a high-impact festival that not only champions entertainment and innovation but also delivers real economic and strategic value. As we continue to deliver on the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, DEF remains critical to building future-ready industries, empowering youth, and driving innovation that aligns with Dubai's digital economy ambitions.' ULTIMATE GAMING PLAYGROUND FOR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND FANS DEF's flagship GameExpo event welcomed more than 34,800 fans, families, casual gamers, and esports enthusiasts for Dubai's biggest-ever weekend of endless gaming, immersive fun, and enthralling discovery. Squads from across the city rallied together to explore a reimagined space spread across eight interactive zones, including the Modesh Retro Zone, Emirates NBD Family Zone, The Amazon Joy Quest: The New IRL Zone brought to you by Amazon, The Main Arena, Gaming District, The Narrows, and two dedicated talabat F&B Zones that featured over 18 F&B outlets. Everyone had the chance to witness, play, and win all weekend across everything from competitive faceoffs and thrilling live challenges on crowd-favourite gaming titles to all-female matchups, cutting-edge gaming gear, creative cosplay competitions, interactive brand activations, and meet-ups with gaming legends. For the first time, GameExpo partnered with TikTok MENA to deliver front-row digital access to fans across the region. Allowing audiences to stay connected to the excitement, whether at home or on the go, all key tournament moments and gameplay highlights were live streamed from popular titles including Valorant, Fortnite, Minecraft, Tekken 8, Fall Guys, Chained Together, and FC25. Underscoring the festival's value as a platform for brand engagement and market expansion, a dynamic mix of 775 brands elevated the festival's excitement to new heights. From tech and lifestyle to beauty and banking, participating brands included Red Bull, Bitget X SWEAT, AI Vista Photobooth, Anigma, Antifreeze - Immersionica, Arab Hardware, ASUS ROG, Benefit, du, Dubai Police, Emirates NBD, Geekay, Gillette, LG, Nasr Esports Academy, PlayStation, Rove Hotels, PubG Mobile, The Vintage Company, Ultra PC Gamers, Virgin Radio, and more. Attendees also enjoyed giveaways of exclusive Modesh merchandise and had a chance to meet the much-loved character during special appearances all weekend. CREATOR FACE-OFFS AND COMMUNITY HYPE GameExpo's Play Beyond pulsed with excitement as some of the biggest names in regional gaming lit up the arena. Fan-favourite AboFlah made a highly anticipated return, teaming up with Sultan Khalifa and two lucky fans in a thrilling showdown against top-tier talent from Nasr Esports Academy and popular creators including 6th_kage, Khaled Dego, and AWYA. The epic gaming battles kept crowds on their feet, with the Nasr Esports Academy ultimately seizing victory and lifting the coveted Play Beyond trophy, cementing their status as champions. COSPLAY COMES ALIVE Vibrant characters stole the spotlight during the Dubai Cosplay Championship, where standout talent from across the region competed for a share of the AED 30,000 prize pool. Participants impressed with their creativity and craftsmanship, judged by a distinguished panel including @sabcosplay, @mingmihoo, @vegacosplay, and @sayochuu. The event served as a dynamic celebration of artistic expression and fan culture. Winners included Evgenii Aleksandrov, who claimed first spot in the solo category; Ahmed Serag, recognised for Best Craft; Sofiane Touchene, awarded for Best Show; and Rana and Fatima Al Yousif who earned top honours in the group segment - all celebrated for their incredible creativity, craftsmanship, and crowd appeal. HIGH-STAKES ESPORTS COMPETITIONS DEF 2025 saw more than 3.8 million players take part in thrilling regional and local tournaments, reflecting the festival's growing influence across the gaming community. Standout tournaments such as the Yalla Ludo Challenge, high-energy Red Bull matchups, True Gamers Tournament, and Bloom World Academy Minecraft Family Challenge drew large crowds and fierce competition with pulse-pounding finals. In a proud moment for the country, the regional FC25 Dubai Cup in partnership with PlayStation crowned a winner from the UAE who emerged victorious after intense knockout rounds with a staggering 31,000 participants from across the GCC. One of the weekend's most empowering and inclusive highlights was an electrifying all-female Valorant faceoff, supported by Benefit. Top female esports athletes from the University of Wollongong and Princess Noura University went head-to-head in a high-intensity match, captivating the crowd with sharp strategies, fearless gameplay, and undeniable passion. GLOBAL VISIONARIES AND INDUSTRY POWERHOUSES Welcoming gaming industry professionals to power up their knowledge, the GameExpo Summit on May 7 and 8 gathered more than 1,700 professionals from 70 countries to explore the future of gaming, with powerful keynotes and deep-dive panels spanning investment, talent development, and Web3. Over two packed days, more than 75 speakers delivered insight-rich sessions across nine themed tracks, covering AI, Web3, user acquisition, monetisation, and beyond. Meanwhile, over 2,000 structured meetings complemented a flurry of spontaneous networking and strategic discussions. A key new addition was the Investment Summit, which explored opportunities in Dubai and wider emerging markets, highlighting the MENA region's rising appeal in the global games investment landscape. Championing creativity, entrepreneurship, and emerging talent, the Summit provided a high-impact platform for rising stars in game development. The inaugural PitchPlay competition, held with DMCC Gaming Centre, saw over 50 gaming start-ups pitch innovative concepts, with Filiokus by Martin Lothe Saeterdal ultimately taking home the AED 55,000 grand prize. Indie developers were also in the spotlight, with the return of the Very Big Indie Pitch competition crowning standout titles across console, PC, and mobile platforms - including Fideo's Adventure by Nomadroid, Mad King Redemption by Secret Mission, and Azooma Escape by Ash Games Studio. Meanwhile, the Big Indie Zone, supported by ID@Xbox, showcased the vibrant world of independent game development, culminating in Merge Empress by Tiny Kraken Games winning the Audience Choice Award. The summit also hosted the return of the highly awaited MENA Games Industry Awards 2025, which celebrated excellence in regional game development across 13 extensive categories - with full results available on the Pocket Gamer website. Continuing its line-up of industry events, the exclusive Gaming Matters conference brought together over 400 global C-suite executives, business leaders, and the most influential figures in the global gaming industry to connect, discuss, and innovate for success in today's rapidly growing MENA gaming market. Hosted in partnership with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and co-hosted by the DMCC Gaming Centre, the high-level event provided an intimate platform for strategic discussions to explore the future of gaming, esports, and Web3. FUTURE-READY LEARNING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF GAMERS Beyond immediate gameplay, DEF championed the intersection of gaming, education, and innovation by expanding its impact to foster future-ready skills, digital literacy, and career awareness. The DEF Educational Engagement Programme reached over 16,500 students and educators from 250 schools across the UAE, helping them explore future-focused skills and career pathways. Competing for a prize pool of AED 50,000, students had the chance to tackle dynamic challenges such as the ENBD Fortnite Quest, the Minecraft Education Challenge, the GameOn with HP Gaming Garage hackathon, and the Game Changers Competition. The first-ever Game Quest Express mobile gaming truck toured registered schools across Dubai to bring high-tech interactive console, VR, and PC gaming experiences for students. Teachers utilised the DEF Level Up Calendar featuring cross-curricular ideas and links to inspire gaming and esports as viable career pathways, while hosting the Power Up Parade for students to dress up as their favourite gaming characters. Finally, a dedicated DEF Education Day brought together students to GameExpo from across the UAE in a vibrant showcase of talent, creativity, and innovation. The day also spotlighted future-focused learning through expert-led workshops by Microsoft and Unreal Engine; immersive experiences including The Amazon Joy Quest and Just Dance; as well as access to thousands of retro and modern games. EXCLUSIVE DEALS DEF excitement extended into Dubai's retail sector with exclusive promotions and limited-time deals spanning across more than 2,500 outlets and over 240 leading brands. Shoppers enjoyed exceptional savings on gaming gear, electronics, toys, and lifestyle products at popular retailers such as Beefurb Technologies, Borders, E City, Eros, Harman House, LEGO, Sharaf DG, Samsung, Virgin Megastore, Blossom Home Furniture, Carrefour, and more. Participating malls include BurJuman, City Centre Deira, City Centre Me'aisem, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Festival City Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Outlet Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Mercato, Nakheel Mall, Times Square Center, amongst others. At Mall of the Emirates, customers spending AED 500 or more on electronics received 15X SHARE points and had the opportunity to win instant prizes through an interactive gaming experience. To elevate the experience for out-of-town visitors, attendees of GameExpo, GameExpo Summit, and Gaming Matters enjoyed an exclusive 25 per cent discount at select Rove Hotels across Dubai, offering convenient and affordable stays just moments away from all the festival action. As DEF continues to grow, it stands as a powerful testament to Dubai's commitment to shaping the future of esports and gaming, not only as an entertainment powerhouse, but as a vital engine for education, business, and economic development. Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025 was supported by Strategic Partners which include: Amazon, du, Dubai Police, Dubai Sports Council, Emirates NBD, Red Bull, Rove, Roxy Cinemas, talabat, and Virgin Radio. To catch the highlights of this year's edition, please visit the DEF 2025 website and follow @DubaiFestivals on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. -Ends- About Dubai Esports and Games Festival Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF 2025) takes place from 25 April to 11 May. Launched in 2022, the annual festival returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre once again this year. The festival aims to set and influence trends across both the global and regional gaming industry, and bolster Dubai's position as a global hub for esports and interactive tech-driven entertainment, and as a global city at the forefront of innovation. DEF 2025 features a combination of events including a lively GameExpo, esports tournaments, and influencer challenges, alongside GameExpo Summit, a thought-provoking and business stimulating conference and B2B networking event that connects companies from around the world. About Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is responsible for developing Dubai's retail and festival sectors and supporting the positioning of Dubai as a world-class tourism destination with year-round family entertainment, shopping and events. For further information, please contact: Dubai Economy and Tourism mediarelations@
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Biggest ever Dubai GameExpo Summit draws over 1,400 game professionals from 70 countries
Third iteration of the region's leading conference hosted as part of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 celebrated innovation, supported new talent and encouraged investment Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 powered by Pocket Gamer Connects, in partnership with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre on May 7–8. This significant event for the MENA games industry – hosted as part of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) – convened over 1,400 industry professionals from 70 countries across MENA, Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Australasia, with a footfall of over 1,700 attendees across the two days. The summit fostered a dynamic atmosphere for collaboration, innovation, and investment, both regionally and internationally, with attendees comprising 32% C-Level executives or founders, 68% senior managers, and 50% game makers. Over 2,000 meetings were organised throughout the event through the MeetToMatch online networking platform, alongside countless spontaneous interactions that contributed to a dynamic exchange of ideas and strategies. Spanning two action-packed days, the summit featured an impressive lineup of over 75 speakers who participated across nine themed tracks. Esteemed panellists included H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Rights Sector at UAE Ministry of Economy; Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME; Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du; Jê Alipio, Director and Head of Business Development (Games), APAC & MENA at The Walt Disney Company; and several other high-profile experts from across the global gaming industry. Discussions delved into crucial topics, including artificial intelligence, the transformative potential of web3 technology, effective user acquisition strategies, monetisation models and much more. These thought-provoking sessions provided attendees with valuable insights and fostered the exchange of innovative ideas, talent, and energy driving the MENA region. A word from the organisers Chris James, CEO of Steel Media, was understandably delighted: 'Our third Dubai GameExpo Summit, created once again in association with the Dubai Department for Economy and Tourism (DET), was the biggest and most vibrant edition of the event yet. 'Not only did we have more delegates from more countries than ever before, but the quality of attendees felt top tier, and the intent to not only understand the region but also get business done seemed more intense than ever. 'The games industry in Dubai, and the wider MENA region, may still be in its infancy compared to more mature markets in Asia and the west, however the talent and pace of development here is almost as impressive as the giddying ambition. Suffice to say, Steel Media is delighted to continue playing our part in supporting this growth, via our PG Connects events, both here and in Jordan, as well as our leading media channels, such as Muna Al Falasi, Director of Esports and Games Strategy at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), commented: 'GameExpo Summit 2025 marked a pivotal moment in our mission to cement Dubai's position as a global leader in gaming and esports. This year's Summit amplified the momentum of our citywide Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), accelerating industry growth, driving digital innovation, supporting SMEs, and creating new career pathways in line with Dubai's vision for a thriving knowledge economy. 'The dynamic programme brought together global leaders alongside the region's top talent to foster critical dialogue, unlock investment, and strengthen the foundations of a vibrant, future-ready ecosystem – ultimately reinforcing our commitment to the goals of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033. As the industry evolves, we remain focused on empowering entrepreneurs, attracting international investment, and creating a flourishing ecosystem for the next generation of gaming ventures.' Introducing the Investment Summit… and PitchPlay! A highlight of this year's summit was the launch of the Investment Summit, which focused on demystifying the current investment landscape and exploring opportunities within the rapidly evolving MENA games industry. This dedicated partner event aimed to discuss the benefits of investing in Dubai, recognise opportunities in emerging markets, and examine global trends shaping the sector. In addition, the inaugural PitchPlay competition, organised in collaboration with the esteemed DMCC Gaming Centre, served as a dynamic platform for emerging game start-ups to showcase their unique concepts and business models. The competition encouraged creativity and entrepreneurship and provided significant rewards, with the winners receiving prizes worth AED 55,000, face-time with leading investors, and an opportunity to gain experience and wider recognition for their projects. Over 50 companies applied to participate, with the six finalists pitching various concepts, from blockchain shooters and cosy games to regionally-themed indie games, on multiple platforms and with different business models. Ultimately, though, despite honourable mentions for Anas Bakhsh's Ash Games Studio and Artsiom Melnikau of Birches Technologies, the unanimous winner of the AED 55,000 prize went to Martin Lothe Saeterdal's studio Filiokus, whose polished presentation outlined a plan for great mobile games that could make maths fun! Focus on Innovative Indies A returning favourite, the Very Big Indie Pitch competition offered talented developers a platform to showcase their creations to seasoned industry veterans. This opportunity provides invaluable feedback, fostering growth and refinement for each project. This year's competition featured pitches for console, PC, and mobile devices, with 14 standout participants shortlisted to compete. This made it one of the most competitive editions yet but, ultimately, the judges decided on three clear winners: Fideo's Adventure by Nomadroid Mad King Redemption by Secret Mission Azooma Escape by Ash Games Studio Meanwhile, the Big Indie Zone, supported by ID@Xbox, featured a vibrant line-up of independent creators and their games. This area was specifically provided to facilitate interactions between attendees and indie developers, enabling the latter to display their talent and latest projects to publishers, platform holders, service providers and more. The varied selection of showcased games emphasised indie game development's diverse viewpoints and imaginative methods. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as visitors engaged in conversations, tried out game demos, and generally enjoyed the latest indie creations. Introducing a competitive framework to the area, the Big Indie Zone Audience Choice Award (also supported by ID@Xbox) encouraged attendees to vote for their favourite indie game over the conference's two days, with Merge Empress by Tiny Kraken Games emerging victorious. Fabulous fringe events: networking and consultation More fringe activity took the form of the Connector SpeedMatch session, which paired game developers, speed-dating style, with publishers and investors looking for their next project. These curated sessions provide perfect first-contact meetings with new prospects, creating valuable connections and fostering new industry collaboration opportunities. The Futura Advice Pitshop provided invaluable one-on-one consultations with seasoned legal tax experts explicitly tailored for Dubai's games industry. This initiative highlighted the summit's dedication to fostering a robust and sustainable games ecosystem by addressing the complex legal and financial challenges developers and publishers face. This activity, supported and delivered by Futura Digital, allowed attendees to gain personalised insights and practical advice, empowering them to navigate the intricate landscape of tax regulations and compliance in Dubai effectively. Celebrating the best – MENA Games Awards Another summit highlight was the much-anticipated live unveiling of the MENA Games Industry Awards 2025 (MGIA) winners. Now in their second year, these prestigious awards aim to spotlight and celebrate the exceptional achievements in game development, publishing, investing, ecosystem development, and the numerous other services and stakeholders that are propelling the industry across the region and beyond. Highlights from the winners across the 13 categories include Jordan publisher Tamatem picking up three awards (including the coveted Game of the Year), DMCC securing two (including Dubai Games Star), and MJ Fahmi of Digital Dunes (and formerly Babil) being lauded as the MENA Market Legend. Full results on PG Connects will return… The Dubai GameExpo Summit represented the 51st edition of the PG Connects conference series, and Steel Media will return again next May, bigger and greater. Before then, the next stops on the PG Connects global tour are Barcelona (June 3–4), followed by Shanghai (July 30), Helsinki (October 7–8), before a return to the MENA region for PGC Aqaba (November 8–9). About Dubai Esports and Games Festival Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF 2025) takes place from 25 April to 11 May. Launched in 2022, the annual festival returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre once again this year. The festival aims to set and influence trends across both the global and regional gaming industry, and bolster Dubai's position as a global hub for esports and interactive tech-driven entertainment, and as a global city at the forefront of innovation. DEF 2025 features a combination of events including a lively GameExpo, esports tournaments, and influencer challenges, alongside GameExpo Summit, a thought-provoking and business stimulating conference and B2B networking event that connects companies from around the world. About Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is responsible for developing Dubai's retail and festival sectors and supporting the positioning of Dubai as a world-class tourism destination with year-round family entertainment, shopping and events. For further information, please contact: Dubai Economy and Tourism mediarelations@
Al Bawaba
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
LG to showcase ultragear gaming monitors and immersive experiences at dubai esports festival 2025
LG Electronics (LG), in partnership with Oasis Trading, is upping its game by participating in the Dubai Esports Festival (DEF) 2025, taking place from May 8-11 at Dubai World Trade Centre. At GameExpo, part of DEF and open to the public from May 9-11, LG will be showcasing its UltraGear line of high-performance gaming monitors, offering visitors to its immersive experiential booth, boasting cutting-edge display technology. Those with tickets to one hottest show in town will have the opportunity to test out the monitors firsthand, playing the latest games and experiencing the gaming credentials LG's UltraGear – designed to deliver unparalleled performance, speed, and visual quality, providing gamers with a competitive edge – is known for. "We are thrilled to be part of the Dubai Esports Festival 2025 and introduce our UltraGear gaming monitors to the region's vibrant gaming community," said Lee Seung Jun Head Of IT Sales, "Our monitors are engineered to provide the ultimate gaming experience, and we are confident that attendees will be impressed by their performance and features. We are especially excited to bring the new 45' UltraGear™ OLED, as well as the 31.5' 4K UHD IPS Smart Monitor, to the Middle East for the first time, showcasing our commitment to innovation and delivering top-tier gaming and productivity solutions." Among the many LG screens on show between the family zone and the LG booth, an undoubted highlight will be the 45' UltraGear™ OLED 5K2K WUHD, a new product introduction set to revolutionize the gaming experience with its advanced features and stunning visuals, and available in the market starting next month. The OLED gaming monitor is a game-changer for competitive gamers, with a 45-inch curved OLED monitor boasting up to a blazing-fast 330Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms (GtG) response time, delivering incredibly smooth and responsive gameplay. Its world-first 5K2K (5120 x 2160) resolution gaming monitor and 125 PPI sharp test clarity with reduced color fringe provide immersive, fast, and smooth visuals. Another regional first comes by way of the 31.5-inch 4K UHD IPS Smart Monitor Swing with touchscreen and rolling stand, designed to enhance productivity and workflows for professionals and creative users. This monitor boasts a wide color gamut (DCI-P3 95%) for accurate color reproduction, HDR support for vibrant visuals. The ergonomic stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustment for comfortable viewing, while features like Picture-by-Picture (PBP) and Picture-in-Picture (PIP) enhance multitasking capabilities, ideal for professionals seeking a high-performance display with versatile connectivity and ergonomic comfort. The Dubai Esports Festival, powered by Dubai Economy and Tourism, brings together esports enthusiasts, industry leaders, and gaming communities to celebrate the world of competitive gaming. Event Details: Event: Dubai Esports Festival (DEF) 2025Dates: May 8-11, 2025 (Open to the public from May 9-11) Location: Dubai World Trade Centre (GameExpo: Zabeel Hall 3)
CairoScene
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
GameExpo 2025 Turns Dubai Into a Gamer's Playground for Three Days
Dubai's biggest gaming event returns May 9th to 11th with free-esports matches, cosplay competitions, and influencer faceoffs. May 04, 2025 GameExpo 2025 is taking over Dubai World Trade Centre's Zabeel Halls 2 and 3 from May 9th to the 11th, transforming the space into a multi-zone gaming game and activity is free to play, with esports tournaments, cosplay showcases, influencer challenges, and pop-up activations running across the three-day festival. Interactive areas include a retro gaming zone, kid-friendly versions of popular titles, motion-based games, and immersive dance-offs. Attendees can also watch live finals of national school tournaments, test out new releases by local developers, or compete for prizes in skill-based festival's influencer showdown, Play Beyond, takes place May 10th and 11th with regional gaming personalities. GameExpo is part of the annual Dubai Esports and Games Festival, now in its third year. In previous editions, the event has drawn thousands of attendees and featured first-looks at unreleased games. Esports in the region has grown steadily in recent years, with GCC countries investing in events, streaming, and game development. Tickets range from AED 39 to AED 199, with discounted rates for students and families. Travel options include Dubai Metro and multiple public parking options, including valet and reduced-rate passes for festivalgoers.
