The Middle East is an emergent global hub for gaming. Projections for 2027 anticipate a nearly twofold increase in digital gaming revenue in seven years, reaching approximately US$6bn from $3 billion recorded in 2021.
A thriving gaming ecosystem is rapidly emerging, encompassing the production and sale of video games, gaming hardware, and software, driven by the proliferation of smartphones, high-end PCs, and consoles.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt constitute the top three gaming markets in the region, fueled by substantial disposable income, a youthful and expanding population, and escalating demand for leisure activities.
Regional governments have responded by initiating programs to support a significant and growing sector. In the UAE, Dubai’s Gaming 2033 Program, spearheaded by the Dubai Future Foundation, aims to position the city as a top-10 global gaming hub, generating 30,000 new jobs and contributing approximately USD 1 billion to the GDP by 2033. Aligned with national strategies for the digital economy, the initiative focuses on talent, content, and technology.
As we step into 2024, the gaming landscape is evolving, driven by cutting-edge technologies that promise to redefine the gaming experience. AI is the most important of these advances, ushering in a new era of personalised and immersive experiences. Powerful AI-powered algorithms can tailor in-game content, such as characters, environments, quests and rewards to suit each player’s style and taste.
A THRIVING MOBILE GAMING ECOSYSTEM
The combination of mobile technologies and AI will have far-reaching consequences for gaming and entertainment. Mobile gaming offers convenience, accessibility and affordability to millions of regional gamers whose appeal cuts across demographics.
As mobile phone technology advances, offering AI-powered engines, high-quality graphics and processing, game developers increasingly provide top-tier mobile versions of games previously exclusive to PC or console platforms.
The expanding mobile gaming sector fosters a thriving ecosystem of local developers, publishers and content creators who can leverage the region’s rich cultural heritage and diverse audience to create unique and original games. Mobile gaming also offers expanded market and revenue opportunities for local players, as they can reach a global audience through digital platforms and distribution channels.
AI-powered mobile gaming, therefore, emerges as not only a form of entertainment but also a driver of cultural and economic development in the Middle East with a positive impact on the region’s creative industries, social inclusion and digital transformation. Moreover, mobile gaming development enables the region to keep up with other fourth-industrial technologies such as high-performance hardware, cloud computing, and 5G.
AI in gaming involves creating responsive and adaptable video game experiences through AI-powered characters that mimic intelligent or creative decision-making, resembling human player control.
This burgeoning frontier in game development empowers publishers to significantly streamline the design process on the back end, while enabling players to shape their own gaming experiences.
One of the most anticipated mobile gaming innovations in 2024 is Galaxy AI, a new AI experience for Samsung Galaxy phones. Galaxy AI will leverage Samsung’s on-device AI elements, and a generative AI model, Gauss, in addition to cloud-based AI from industry partners to transform the mobile gaming experience. Galaxy AI will also enhance mobile games’ graphics, performance, and interactivity, making them more immersive and engaging.
CLOUD GAMING DELIVERS SEAMLESS EXPERIENCES
Cloud gaming is another trend set to revolutionise the gaming industry in 2024 and beyond. Cloud gaming allows users to stream games from remote servers without downloading or installing them on their devices. AI optimises hardware allocation and storage and reduces platform compatibility barriers, enabling users to access any game anytime.
Cloud gaming is especially applicable to the Gulf, where smartphone penetration is high and broadband infrastructure is world-class. It delivers ubiquitous gaming accessibility, as users can play games on any device, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, or TVs, with a stable internet connection.
Cloud gaming also enables collaborative and inclusive gaming experiences, as users can play with or against other players worldwide, regardless of their location, device, or platform.
This is particularly appealing for the Gulf, which has a large and diverse expat community that can use cloud gaming to connect and socialise with their friends and family in their home countries. Further, cloud gaming can foster a sense of community and belonging among gamers in the region, who can share their passion and culture through gaming.
Gaming is no longer static but a powerful medium for expression, communication, and collaboration. At the forefront of innovation and transformation, the landscape is teeming with creative and economic opportunities driven by cutting-edge technologies. With limitless possibilities on the horizon, is your gear future-ready?
