Dubai’s gaming industry continues to gain momentum, with the DMCC Gaming Center now home to more than 150 companies as the emirate strengthens its ambitions to become a global hub for gaming, esports, and digital entertainment.

Speaking at GameExpo 2026, Belal Jassoma, Director of Ecosystems at DMCC, said the event provided a platform to showcase the rapid growth of the DMCC Gaming Center and its role in attracting international gaming companies to Dubai.

Launched in 2022, the center has evolved into one of the region’s largest gaming ecosystems, bringing together game developers, publishers, esports organizations, tournament operators, and Web3 gaming ventures under one roof.

Jassoma said the initiative was designed to help gaming companies establish, scale, and expand their operations from Dubai while providing access to investors, strategic partners, and industry networks.

GameExpo 2026 also offered DMCC-based studios an opportunity to showcase new titles and connect with publishers, investors, and industry stakeholders, highlighting the growing sophistication of Dubai’s gaming sector.

The industry’s growth comes as gaming increasingly converges with technologies such as artificial intelligence, immersive experiences, and creator-led content, reinforcing its role as a key driver of the digital economy.

According to Jassoma, gaming’s influence now extends far beyond entertainment, with applications emerging across sectors including automotive, energy, education, tourism, and real estate. He noted that this trend recently prompted DMCC to partner with Unity to accelerate the adoption of real-time 3D technologies across multiple industries.

The Gaming Center forms part of DMCC’s broader strategy of building specialized ecosystems around high-growth sectors. DMCC also serves on the Dubai Gaming Committee under the Dubai Games and Films Commission, collaborating with public and private sector stakeholders to attract global gaming companies and strengthen Dubai’s position in the international gaming market.

Membership at the center has grown significantly over the past year, attracting both established global players and emerging studios seeking a gateway to markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Recent additions include Artisan Studios, developer of the upcoming role-playing game Lost Hellden; CI Games, known for titles such as Lords of the Fallen; and virtual reality platform SideQuest VR.

Jassoma also highlighted the rising influence of content creators in driving audience engagement, community growth, and game discovery, describing them as an increasingly important part of the industry’s economic value chain.

With more than 4,000 technology companies operating across DMCC’s wider ecosystem, gaming businesses benefit from access to talent, capital, and strategic partnerships, further cementing Dubai’s position as a regional gaming powerhouse.