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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
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
