Abu dhabi: Experts and specialists in the esports and electronic gaming sector affirmed that the industry is witnessing rapid global expansion, driven by increasing support from governments and institutions due to its significant economic returns and its ability to attract wide segments of consumers.
According to Emirates News Agency, the BRIDGE Summit 2025, currently taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), saw the participation of prominent content creators, technology leaders, and influencers in the electronic gaming space, who presented insights and specialized experiences on the sector's future and growth opportunities.
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, stressed that technology has become an integral part of all forms of digital interaction, including electronic games, social platforms, artificial intelligence, and content generated autonomously through these systems. He emphasized the importance of elevating digital content to reflect the UAE's values, customs, traditions, and cultural heritage, ensuring that content remains aligned with national and cultural identity.
Maaz Sheikh, Chief Executive Officer of StarzPlay, highlighted the promising future of esports in the UAE, the region, and globally, amid significant investments and strategic partnerships supporting the sector's expansion. He noted StarzPlay's efforts to integrate esports content into its streaming offerings, underscoring esports as a fundamental pillar in the modern services economy alongside content creation, streaming, and digital distribution.
Dave Mace, Lead, Media and Entertainment, MENAT, Amazon Web Services, noted the notable growth of the media, entertainment, gaming, and sports sector in the region. He emphasized Amazon's commitment to the sector's development through specialized teams and innovative services like Amazon GameLift, aiming to provide expertise and tailored services to meet the sector's needs.
Brandan Greene, electronic game designer and creator of the well-known game PUBG, shared insights on the massive global engagement in electronic games, with more than three billion players worldwide. He highlighted the future of digital interaction moving towards three-dimensional environments, fostering new spaces for communication among future generations. Greene emphasized the unifying power of games, transforming strangers into teammates and forming communities that create lifelong friendships.