Dubai Ready to host the first Gaming Expo in the Region

Dubai, United Arab Emirates. October 19th, 2009. The Dubai World Game Expo will take place this year from October 28 to 30, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. Held in conjunction with Dubai Character & Licensing Fair, the event is considered to be the largest trade show of its kind in the region. The event will be a platform for showcasing a huge variety of electronic and web games. Various workshops on the latest technologies emerging in this sector will be organized during the three-day exhibition.

Strong Participation from Nokia

Nokia, the world’s leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile and fixed telecom networks will have a strong presence at the Dubai World Game Expo. Nokia the Platinum Sponsor of the Dubai World Game Summit will showcase its latest innovation in mobile gaming and will present a keynote speech by Kay Gruenwoldt, North American Marketing Manager, Nokia Games Publishing “The Future is Mobile”. On this occasion, Kay Gruenwoldt commented, “We are excited to be providing the keynote at this year’s Dubai World Games Expo, where we will be discussing the rich games experiences developers can create on mobile devices. We will also be providing insights into the types of game innovations we expect to see in the future with the technology that the latest mobile devices can deliver.”

Jay Wilbur, Vice President of Epic Games for the First Time in the Middle East

The Dubai World Game Summit will also host Jay Wilbur. Vice President of Epic Games who will deliver a special presentation on “Mitigating Risks in Game Development Using Middleware,” in tandem with Digital Investments Chief Creative Officer Cyrus Lum.
“Epic will share with Dubai Game World Expo attendees which critical elements must be considered in order to minimize risk and maximize development resources when licensing middleware,” said Jay Wilbur, Vice President of Epic Games. “By collaborating with Cyrus Lum, Chief Creative Officer of Digital Investments, on his personal experiences as an Unreal Engine licensee, we will pull back the curtain on a unique case study that has benefited from streamlining technologies and optimizing specific systems for a range of game genres. This talk will be of value to shops of all sizes.”

Jay Wilbur is the Vice President of Business Development for Epic Games, where he works as part of the Epic Management Team. Previously, Wilbur was the co-owner and business manager of id Software, a highly successful computer game development company. At id, Wilbur managed all of the company’s business activities including developing, implementing and maintaining id’s highly successful direct and retail distribution strategies for such blockbuster titles as Wolfenstein 3D, Spear of Destiny, DOOM, DOOM II, Final DOOM, Quake and all related ancillary software/non-software products.

Cyrus Lum serves as Chief Creative Officer for Digital Investments, a multi-national organization focused on accelerating the growth of developers, publishers, educational institutions and governments in their pursuit of achieving a strong game industry. Cyrus has over 20 years of experience in game production, development and management roles with both publishing and independent development companies, and was most recently Studio Art Director of Midway Studios-Austin, where he helped to grow the company from 50 to over 150 employees.

Top-Class Speakers from the Middle East at Dubai World Game Summit

Middle East’s leading game summit will also host key speakers such as Said Fadi Mujahid, General Manager of Game Power 7, Ahmed Nassef, Group Vice President and General Manager of Maktoob.com, and Nick Bryant, Managing Director of Txt TV FZ LLC – MBC Group.
Game Power 7 announced its active participation in both Dubai World Game Expo and Dubai World Game Summit. Game Power 7 will deliver a special presentation in the Online Game Session (October 28) about its findings and experience in online game publishing, “Challenges of Online Game Publishing in the Middle East”

“Throughout the past year, Game Power 7 has been conducting market research and studies related to online gaming and related publishing business. Game Power 7 will share the knowledge and experience it acquired with the game industry and community”. said Said Fadi Mujahid, General Manager. “The Middle East & North Africa Region is considered an untouched market for online games, and this is due to the absence of local game publishers. Game publishers play two major roles for online gaming: (1) Game localization and culturalization, and (2) online gaming concept promotion and marketing,“ according to Mujahid. The presentation highlights some of the major challenges that the company is dealing with in their new venture.

“Maktoob.com is excited to be participating in the Dubai World Game Summit. Online gaming is poised for huge growth in the Arab world in the coming years, and we’re proud to be leading the way in presenting our audience of over 12 million Arabs from throughout the region with the best in cutting edge world-class gaming.” said Ahmed Nassef, Group VP and GM, Maktoob.com. His unprecedented presentation “Online gaming in the MENA Region” will be in the Media & Game Session on October 29.

“I am delighted to be able to participate in the Media & Game Session during Dubai World Game Summit. As the regions largest media group we have an interest in all media, irrespective of how it is delivered or where it is consumed. We expect to see significant growth in the games market over the coming years as PC and broadband penetration grows and ‘smart phones’ become increasingly popular in our region. The MBC Group will be in the vanguard of this growth.” said Nick Bryant, Managing Director of Txt TV FZ LLC – MBC Group.

Weyak Powered by Etisalat Announced as Platinum Sponsor of Dubai World Game Expo 2008

Weyak powered by Etisalat will showcase its latest online games for Weyak making online game a big part of the Dubai World Game Expo.

“Digital Gaming has become one of the leading sports of the world today, providing a perfect combination of learning and entertainment to the young generation. Etisalat recognizes the significance of this emerging sport and is increasingly looking forward to be associated with gaming and entertainment through innovative Weyak services. The vibrancy and youthfulness of Weyak brand can be well associated with Dubai World Game Expo.” said Mr. Khalifa Al Shamsi, Vice President Marketing, Consumer and SMB, Etisalat.

“We very much regard Dubai World Game Expo as a key event in the industry calendar and we look forward to showcasing our latest innovations at the show.” added Mr. Shamsi.

In addition to being a Platinum Sponsor of the DWGE, Etisalat will be giving presentations by Mario J. Pino – Senior Manager, Platform Strategy and Management, and Maha Muraish – Manager / Content and Services at Online Game Session and Mobile Game Session during the Dubai World Game Summit alongside multiple panels.

More than 20 countries Participating at the Expo.

The Dubai World Game Expo has attracted companies and game developers from more than 20 countries including the Unites States, Japan, Korea, Canada, China, Jordan and Iran which is unveiling its biggest overseas participation ever at the Dubai World Game Expo. Variety of Iranian game companies will be at DWGE and at least 8 companies already confirmed to be at Iranian Game Pavilion. In addition, Behrouz Minaei-Bidgoli, Managing Director of Computer Game National Institute of Tehran, Iran will deliver a speech “Iranian Game Market” at Game Development Session during the Dubai World Game Summit 2008.

On this Occasion, Anas Almadani, Vice President of INDEX Holding commented, “On behalf of the Organizing Committee we would like to convey our greatest appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority for his patronage and continuous support.”

“The Organizing Committee completed all preparations to host this major international event. The significance of the Dubai World Game Expo is realized through the participation of major international players in the industry such as Nokia, the Platinum Sponsor of the Dubai World Game Summit. We are also very grateful for the participation of Weyak at the Dubai World Game Expo. Etisalat Continues to lead the way as a UAE National company in sponsoring new initiatives and emerging industries.” Said Al Madani

“We are confident that the Dubai World Game Expo will play a major role in shaping the gaming industry in the Middle East. This year’s expo will witness a very high level conference with experts from different parts of the world sharing their experience and know-how in the gaming industry. Key speakers will address important topics about the industry such as Development of new games, and the latest innovations in mobile and internet gaming.” Added Al Madani.

This years event will also witness the first Dubai World Game Championship which has already attracted thousands of gamers from across the region, where competition will take place over four games; Counter Strike, Pro Evolution Soccer, Top Spin Tennis, and Need for Speed. “We will also be witnessing the first UAE National Team to participate at the World Cyber Games in Cologne.” said Anas Al Madani, Vice President of INDEX Holding. The exhibition halls will be open for trade visitors from 10:00 to 4:00pm on 28th and 29th October. For public the exhibition halls are open from 29th and 30th October, 2008.

For More information please visit www.gameexpo.ae /