The gaming and eSports industry has experienced a remarkable surge globally, now amounting to billions of dollars. In the MENA region, this growth is particularly significant due to the region’s growing youth population and income. The United Arab Emirates, in particular, stands out as one of the leading gaming markets with a high player population.
To showcase this remarkable growth, Verve Management successfully concluded the 2nd Annual MENA Gaming & eSports Summit at the Address Dubai Marina, UAE, last week. With over 200 attendees, the summit focused on highlighting the masterminds behind the field, shifting the spotlight from gaming and eSports in general. The rise of cloud gaming was a key topic discussed, demonstrating how the industry has adapted to cater to the changing post-pandemic world. Andrea Prazakova, Senior VP at Mastercard, the Legendary Sponsor of the event, emphasized the emergence of gaming in Web3 and the utilization of innovative technologies such as cryptocurrency for payments and blockchain for provenance.
In the GCC region, gaming and eSports operators are investing in localizing content to make their brands more appealing to customers. Jing Wang, Founder & CEO of Sawa Group, emphasized the importance of localization, stating that it is the core of culture and governments in the region are actively supporting gaming and eSports to drive cultural outcomes. Lokesh Suji, Director at the eSports Federation of India & VP at the Asian eSports Federation, further emphasized the significance of media fitting the GCC’s language and culture, leading to greater acceptance and consumer loyalty.
Overall, the summit highlighted the vast growth opportunities in gaming and eSports in the MENA region. Tariq Radwan Al Kfaery, eSports Lead MENA at Riot Games, emphasized that education, strategy, investment, and support are crucial pillars for a thriving gaming and eSports industry in the region.
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