Abu Dhabi to host first Games for Change summit in MENA

The first ever Games for Change summit in the Middle East and North Africa is coming to the UAE capital.

Games for Change and Abu Dhabi Gaming have announced a new two-day event that kicks off on October 11th.

It aims to connect 300 people from Abu Dhabi gamble Industry and international experts to discuss best practices and innovations gamble.

James Hart, head of strategic partnerships at Abu Dhabi Gaming, said the summit will enable developers in the city to make games with real-world impact.

“Through Abu Dhabi’s world-class gaming industry support programme, Abu Dhabi Gaming, the emirate is now home to the largest community of game developers in the region,” said Hartt.

“With world-leading industry names such as Ubisoft and Unity, as well as a host of innovative independent game developers based in the UAE, Abu Dhabi is producing a plethora of high-quality games,” he added.

Organised in partnership with the US delegation to the UAE and twofour54, the summit will include a series of talks, panel discussions, workshops, networking events and interactive arcades – exploring the business trends driving the gaming industry.

Participants will also hear from independent game developers and entrepreneurs from around the world sharing their industry experiences and how games are being used to address societal issues around education, healthcare and climate change.

Speakers will include Asi Burak, Chief Commercial Officer of Tilting Point; Leo Olebe, Managing Director of Google Play; and Chelsea Blasko, Co-CEO of Iron Galaxy.

The Games for Change Summit is part of a partnership between Games for Change, the UAE and the United States. This year, G4C partnered with Aldar Education and Abu Dhabi Gaming to launch a virtual exchange program to connect young people in the US and MENA region, called Game Exchange.

Students around the world work together to design games that address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals on themes of human rights, sustainable societies and a healthy planet. Some of these games will be showcased as part of the G4C Summit in Abu Dhabi.

Susanna Pollack, president of Games for Change, said the event was an opportunity to reimagine the role of the games industry in global development and international collaboration.

“For nearly 20 years, the Games for Change community has shown us how the games industry is not just an engine of economic development — it’s a tool for social impact,” she said.

“Games for Change is excited to partner with Abu Dhabi’s gaming leaders to build an ecosystem focused on innovation, education and real-world impact.”

Robin Solomon, Public Affairs Advisor, U.S. Mission in the UAE, added: “This is a great opportunity to celebrate the unique U.S. and Emirati partnership by connecting U.S. and Emirati experts and innovators in the UAE’s exciting and growing gaming industry. The ties of the UAE.”

Abu Dhabi Gaming’s initiative aims to transform the city into a global gamble center. The country’s gaming industry is expected to generate $288 million in revenue this year.

Scroll the gallery below to see Pixoul Gaming, Abu Dhabi’s sprawling esports and virtual reality hub,opening soon.

Updated: September 13, 2022 at 2:58 pm