Dubai to Debut as the First Government-Hosted Pavilion at Gamescom 2025 in the Region
Dubai Aims to Become a Top 10 Global Gaming Hub by 2033
In a bold move to establish Dubai as a leading player in the global gaming industry, the Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033 (DPG33) was launched in November 2023 under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The strategic initiative aims to position Dubai among the world's top 10 gaming hubs by 2033, contributing $1 billion to Dubai's GDP and creating 30,000 new jobs in the gaming sector over the next decade.
The DPG33 focuses on building a vibrant, innovation-driven ecosystem by fostering governance, talent development, global partnerships, industry support, and community engagement. The program aims to attract gaming developers, entrepreneurs, startups, and multinational corporations by leveraging Dubai’s competitive advantages such as advanced facilities, business-friendly policies, education, and technology infrastructure.
A significant milestone in this journey was Dubai's high-profile debut at Gamescom 2025, the world's largest gaming event held in Cologne, Germany. Dubai made history by hosting the Middle East's first-ever government pavilion, organized by DPG33. This pavilion showcased Dubai’s ambitions, its rapidly growing gaming industry—which now includes over 350 gaming companies, 74% of which specialize in game development—and highlighted its capabilities, talent, and investment opportunities.
The pavilion served as a key platform for Dubai to build international partnerships, reinforce its leadership in digital creativity, and further expand its global presence in the gaming sector. Gamescom 2025, held at the Koelnmesse exhibition centre, is expected to have a record attendance of visitors, and Dubai's participation aimed to strengthen its position in the global gaming landscape and expand its creative economy.
Executives like Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, emphasize that DPG33’s roadmap supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment, accelerating Dubai’s growth as a top gaming destination and creative economy hub.
In summary, DPG33 is both a visionary program and a practical framework that is driving Dubai’s rapid growth in the global gaming industry. With its high-profile debut at Gamescom 2025 serving as a milestone to enhance global visibility, attract key business partners, and validate Dubai’s strategic investments in gaming innovation and talent development, the future of gaming in Dubai looks promising and exciting.
Notably, the initiative has already attracted over 60 new companies in the past two years, and last year, Gamescom had 335,000 visitors from 122 countries. Dubai's participation in Gamescom is a strategic step to expand its creative economy and solidify its position as a global leader in the gaming industry.
- The DPG33 initiative, under the guidance of the government, aims to make Dubai a global hub for gaming by attracting developers, entrepreneurs, and corporations, leveraging its advancements in technology, business policies, and education infrastructure.
- The gaming sector in Dubai is rapidly developing, with over 350 companies now operating, and 74% specializing in game development, a testament to the region's growing cultural embrace of innovation and technology.
- By positioning itself as a hub for gaming, Dubai envisions contributing $1 billion to its GDP and creating 30,000 new jobs over the next decade, thereby shaping the future of its economy.
- The Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033 (DPG33) plans to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment, harnessing resources in artificial intelligence, gadgets, and other cutting-edge technologies to bolster its global gaming presence and competitive edge.
- Future aspirations extend beyond gaming, as Dubai seeks to establish itself as a creative economy hub where various sectors, including art, technology, and culture, converge and thrive in harmony.
