Dubai: Dubai Media Council convened a high-level workshop and panel discussions at the Dubai Gaming Retreat, bringing together more than 100 industry leaders and over 300 members of the gaming community, to help shape the sector's next phase.
According to Emirates News Agency, the retreat focused on five strategic pillars critical to the sector's development: talent, governance and regulation, funding, marketing and infrastructure. Discussions centred on attracting global talent and investment, supporting companies at every stage of growth, and reinforcing Dubai's position as a leading hub for game development and the creative industries.
Nehal Badri, Secretary-General of the Dubai Media Council, emphasized the sector's rapid growth, highlighting its blend of creativity, technology, and innovation. He stated that as the gaming sector evolves, Dubai's policy environment, regulatory frameworks, and institutional support must evolve alongside it. The aim is to create an ecosystem that attracts talent, encourages entrepreneurship, and strengthens gaming's contribution to Dubai's media economy.
Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of the Dubai Gaming Committee, remarked on gaming's role at the intersection of media, technology, and entrepreneurship, noting the potential for innovation and economic growth. He asserted that cities investing early in talent, ideas, and enabling environments will shape the future of the sector, with Dubai well-positioned to lead this transformation through strengthened collaboration.
Hesham Al Olama, CEO of the Dubai Films and Games Commission, highlighted the retreat's focus on listening to leading players and the gaming community, and the commitment to turning ideas into practical initiatives. He pointed to fostering public-private partnerships as a means to strengthen Dubai's gaming ecosystem, attract talent and investment, and enhance the sector's global competitiveness.
The event attracted participants from major industry players, including PlayStation, Tencent, NVIDIA, Electronic Arts, Discord, HP, ASUS, Riot Games, Ubisoft, Twitch, Bandai Namco, Xsolla, Transcend, and Geekay. Building on the retreat's discussions, the Dubai Films and Games Commission plans to develop a report capturing industry recommendations across the five strategic priorities. This report will guide future policy, strategic partnerships, and initiatives supporting the continued growth of Dubai's gaming ecosystem.