Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has given his approval for the launch of the ‘Dubai Program for Gaming 2033,’ with a vision to establish Dubai as a major player in the global gaming industry.
The initiative aims to create 30,000 new jobs in the gaming sector and boost Dubai’s digital economy, increasing its GDP by approximately $1 billion by 2033.
The #Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, launched by @HamdanMohammed, aims to position Dubai as one of the top 10 cities in the global gaming industry. pic.twitter.com/Fvx6zBYwIL
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 3, 2023
“Through the launch of ‘Dubai Program for Gaming 2033,’ our objective is to establish an incubating environment for developers and to draw leading technology companies from across the globe, particularly those specialising in digital content and experiences,” Sheikh Hamdan said during a meeting of the Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy.
What is the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033?
The ‘Dubai Program for Gaming 2033’ will be overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation and will focus on three main areas: talent, content, and technology.
The initiative will create a global platform in Dubai for digital content creators, providing training and job opportunities in partnership with international companies, universities, and academic institutions.
. @HamdanMohammed: #Dubai will persist in aligning with global trends as it shapes and builds its digital economy, harnessing advanced technology and evaluating both current and forthcoming disruptions. This is in accordance with the vision of @HHShkMohd to ensure that Dubai… pic.twitter.com/Lh4WAMrl43
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 2, 2023
Dubai’s Metaverse Strategy: New Initiatives
Additionally, three new initiatives were launched under the ‘Dubai Metaverse Strategy.’
These include the ‘Metaverse Alliance,’ ‘Metaverse Guidelines,’ and ‘Metaverse Pioneers,’ all aimed at consolidating Dubai’s position as a global hub for the metaverse community.
The ‘Metaverse Alliance’ is a global network designed to promote collaborations and partnerships in virtual worlds and interactions.
It aims to identify suitable partners among technology companies, startups, and talented individuals.
‘Metaverse Guidelines’ seek to define the optimal uses of the metaverse in government work, providing a comprehensive framework for Dubai government entities.
‘Metaverse Pioneers’ is a comprehensive programme aimed at equipping Dubai government employees with the skills and tools to harness the potential of metaverse technology in their professional capacities.
Dubai’s diverse initiatives: Highlights from the meeting
The meeting also covered various other initiatives, including the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ programme, which has trained 500 Emirati talents in mobile application development, and the success of Amazon’s initiative to feature products from 100,000 small and medium-sized companies on its UAE store by 2026, with 14,000 new companies registering on the platform since its launch in March 2023.
Additionally, the ‘Metaverse Accelerator Programme,’ launched by Dubai International Financial Center in line with the ‘Dubai Metaverse Strategy,’ has graduated 10 regional and international startups within four main sectors: gaming, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and Web 3.