Why Dubai’s video games sector is set for a massive boom

Dubai has ambitious plans to grow its gaming and metaverse industry over the coming years.

Dubai has established itself as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, as the government has successfully reduced its dependence on oil revenue to make for a more sustainable future.

Many industries have benefitted from Dubai’s rapid growth and development, and the video gaming sector is now poised for a massive boom in the next three to five years.

Last month, a major Dubai freezone announced a major push to bolster the video games sector in the UAE.

Specifically, DMCC announced the formation of the DMCC Gaming Centre with the aim of improving and accelerating the development of video games in the UAE and the broader GCC region.

Dozens of gaming companies are already registered in DMCC, so the formation of the DMCC Gaming Centre is a logical step for the freezone, in line with the UAE’s goal of becoming an international tech and metaverse hub.

Commenting on this new initiative, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, CEO of DMCC, said that “Gaming is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, with nearly 3.2bn people playing and spending a combined total of $196.8bn in 2022.”

Continuing, he said: “The size and growth of the industry today is staggering compared to when video games first appeared in the 1970s”.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem added that the DMCC Gaming Centre will help “solidify Dubai’s position as a global hub for all forms of gaming and esports.”

According to estimates, the gaming industry is currently worth $1.8 billion in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at the moment, and the figure is forecast to reach $5 billion within the next three years.

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