Abu Dhabi is set to don a new global feat, with one of the emirate’s islands is to host the world’s first eSports Island, estimated to be developed with an investment of more than $280 million.
The innovative ‘eSports Island’ project, conceived and initiated by True Gamers, the leading international network of eSports clubs, proposes to create a global hub for the gaming industry, with a high-tech venue for hosting top-tier gaming tournaments, professional training facilities for top eSports teams and dedicated content creation spaces for influencers and game developers.
Gamers will also enjoy a luxurious hotel with a unique concept – guests can check into the hotel by parachuting down from a plane in the style of PUBG – providing an immersive eSports experience to them.
Top executives of True Gamers said the company zeroed in on Abu Dhabi for its global project, based on its analytical forecast of eSports development in the UAE over the next five years, anticipated to be the highest internationally.
They also said the proposed eSports Island will embody a significant leap forward for the industry, fostering a thriving ecosystem of innovations, competition, and a community.
“Our vision is to empower gamers to pursue their dreams, ignite passion for eSports in future generations, and shape tomorrow’s competitive landscape,” Anton Vasilenko, CEO and co-founder of True Gamers, told Arabian Business.
“We believe eSports Island will be a groundbreaking achievement in the entertainment industry, offering guests the perfect blend of relaxation and exceptional competitive gaming,” he said.
Investment volumes and unique opportunities
True Gamers top executives said the company will be committing over $280 million to the eSports Island project, with an anticipated payback period of 10 years.
They also said discussions are currently underway with some of the high-profile investors to secure funding for the project, but declined to disclose their identities.
The investment will encompass everything – from acquiring a private island in Abu Dhabi to curating exclusive adventures, including the planned parachute jump check-in inspired by PUBG.
“True Gamers conducted a comprehensive market analysis of the MENA region’s eSports landscape and the global eSports industry’s growth trajectory before [finalising] the eSports Island development.
“This in-depth analysis gives us the confidence that the proposed business model will be instrumental in bringing eSports Island to life,” Vasilenko said.
Project idea
True Gamers said it conceived the eSports Island project as part of a comprehensive approach to support players of all levels in achieving their full potential, enhancing team and individual skills.
The exclusive island project will also have children’s eSports camps to foster the next generation of gaming enthusiasts.
As part of the project development, True Gamers partnered with leading teams worldwide to understand the athletes’ needs to create the ideal BootCamp.
“Over six months, the company surveyed over 100 relevant organisations and gathered insights from participants from more than 30 teams across Eastern Europe, MENA, and North and Latin America regions.
Industry leaders such as Virtus.Pro, Team Spirit, and BetBoom were also part of the True Gamers’ consultation process for the project.
“As part of our efforts to foster a thriving eSports culture, we constantly seek innovative trends and opportunities to elevate the gaming experience for everyone – from casual players to professional athletes,” Vlad Belyanin, CPO (chief product officer) and co-founder of True Gamers, said.
“We’re grateful to the participating teams for their invaluable insights,” he added.
eSports Island infrastructure
Led by True Gamers, a team of architects, including Abdullah bin Baz and Haitham Khojali, designed the island’s infrastructure to encompass a variety of facilities catering to diverse needs.
The project blueprint includes a ‘Digital Tower’ – designed to be a dynamic business hub, offering modern workplaces, an accelerator for startups, high-speed technologies, and animation development studios.
The business hub segment is aimed at attracting IT professionals, startups, and content creators. Additionally, the tower will offer gamers unique avenues for partnership, the organisation of grand eSports events, and a stimulating environment for growth.
The ‘TG Arena’ in the blueprint is to offer a world-class facility designed to host international eSports tournaments, unique digital exhibitions, and large-scale conferences.
The arena, adaptable to different gaming and digital genres and competition formats, will feature specialised areas, including a computer club with 100 high-performance PCs, a car simulator area with 20 platforms, a console zone with 20 PS consoles, and a fully equipped streaming area.
The project will also feature a dedicated GG Bootcamps section, which will be tailored to ensure professional players have a conducive environment for preparing for major tournaments, akin to American college fraternities.
“With comprehensive feedback from managers and athletes and an in-depth analysis of preparation challenges, the boot camp aims to tackle critical issues: PING, access to healthy food, personal space, and quality equipment,” Belyanin said.
GG Resort – the high-end hotel project in the island project, will have 200 luxurious rooms equipped with high-performance computers for an unrivaled gaming experience.
True Gamers, which has expanded its network to 124 esports venues in the UAE and Eastern Europe since its inception in 2019, recently signed an agreement to open 150 new clubs in Saudi Arabia, with an estimated $45 million investment.
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