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Visiting delegates include speakers from Google Play, Roblox, Fazeclan, Iron Galaxy and Tilting Point
Abu Dhabi, UAE: This week, more than 400 global and regional game developers and companies gathered in Abu Dhabi for the inaugural Games for Change summit in the Middle East. Hosted by Games for Change in partnership with AD Gaming, the U.S. Mission to the UAE, twofour54 and the Endless Network, the summit fosters business relationships and drives global conversations about using games to drive positive impact.
During the two-day summit, global gaming experts from top tech and gaming companies such as Google, Roblox, Iron Galaxy and Fazeclan came together with local gaming businesses and talent to explore best practices and build strong business relationships in the UAE. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers, including Asi Burak, Chief Commercial Officer of Tilting Point and Chairman of Games for Change; Leo Olebe, Managing Director of Global Games, Google Play Partners; and Chelsea Blasko, Co-CEO of Iron Galaxy, And a panel discussion on entrepreneurship and gaming for social impact.
On the second day of the summit, more than 30 local gaming companies and students showcased their work in the interactive “AD Gaming Partner Arcade”, offering local and regional companies including Boss Bunny, Khosouf Studios, Yalla Play, Kashkool, Zawaya Gaming, After Work, Attarius, Batal Gaming, Cation Arts, Estaz and Barzah had the opportunity to showcase their games to visiting delegates. There is also a series of workshops for local talent focusing on topics such as the role of women in gaming and esports, moderated by Happy Warrior founder and president Rebecca Longawa, Harnessing the Power of Games in the Classroom, moderated by Arana Shapiro, Managing Director and Chief Learning Officer, Games for Change, Empowering the Next Generation of Game Makers, hosted by E-line Media CEO Michael Angst, and Impact Through Game Play, hosted by Knight Interactive Media Chair Lindsay Grace at the University of Miami.
“The Games for Change Summit Abu Dhabi has been an incredible success and we are amazed to see the level of inspiring talent in the region,” said Games for Change President Susanna Pollack. “For nearly 20 years, the Games for Change community has shown us how the gaming industry is not just an engine of entertainment and economic development, it is a tool for social impact. We are excited to partner with Abu Dhabi’s gaming leaders in the Middle East Inaugural summit with the North African region. Working with local partners, we are proud to support the creation of an ecosystem focused on innovation, education and real-world impact.”
“Games for Change’s decision to host the inaugural MENA Summit in Abu Dhabi has once again cemented the emirate’s position as a regional hub for the gaming industry,” said James Hartt, Director of Strategic Partnerships at AD Gaming. “Bringing together some of the world’s leading gaming and esports companies with over 400 local developers and gamers is a great opportunity to further advance Abu Dhabi’s gaming ecosystem. Our mission is to empower game creators through video Games drive positive, real-world impact, and we look forward to seeing tangible results from this incredible experience.”
Thomas Bruns, Regional Senior Commercial Officer, US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, said: “The G4C UAE Summit brings together some of the most innovative US and UAE video game companies to encourage business-to-business connections and exchange industry best practices. United States The UAE Mission stands ready to assist U.S. companies to capitalize on business opportunities in the UAE and the wider region, and we look forward to expanding our collaboration with twofour54 and AD Gaming to support the U.S.-UAE creative industries partnership.”
The Games for Change Summit in Abu Dhabi is the latest in an ongoing collaboration between Games for Change, the US and the UAE. Last year, G4C partnered with UAE-based Aldar Education and AD Gaming to launch Game Exchange, a virtual exchange programme connecting youth in the US, the Middle East and North Africa. Students in the US and UAE are collaborating on designing games to address three overarching themes of the UN Sustainable Development Goals: human rights, sustainable societies and a healthy planet. Impact games developed by Emirati students in the Game Exchange project were on display on the second day of the Games for Change summit.
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