PHOTO
Gaming culture in the UAE may be on the quieter side, but it is one that makes a loud statement. Right from PS4 to Xbox to PC games, the rest of the world, and the Middle East along with it, has been swept away by the gaming craze. The Middle East prides itself on reportedly having the most active gaming community in the world.
According to gaming market intelligence experts, Newzoo, the UAE is 36 in the global ranking with its population contributing over Dhs1 billion ($313 million) to the gaming market. There are even competitions held in various gaming cafes, universities and malls where fanatics can challenge each other to see who is the ultimate champion. With games ranging from car and fighting challenges to Just Dance and strategy games, there is something for every gamer out there.
Now Dubai is taking the journey one step further and is set to build the Dubai-X Stadium, which will host all the prime e-gaming tournaments.
Ever heard of the Fortnite, FIFA or PubG titles and have no idea what they mean? Well, these are some of the hottest games in the world and with the whole scene being on fire right now, we have come up with a list of gaming hubs tucked away in Dubai where you and your friends can play or discover a game or two.
Top gaming hot spots in the city
Millennium Avenue
This gaming caf specialises in only computer games. They have semi-frequent tournaments and competitions. They also have a VIP area where loyal and hard core players can chill and it's also where birthday parties are held. The price for a computer is Dhs6 per hour and Dhs10 for a VIP computer per hour.
Flamingo Caf
Oud Metha's hottest gaming and billiards caf, Flamingo is home to billiards, network and Internet games. You can even make reservations. An hour of gaming will cost you Dhs7.
Rail
Having branches in both Garhoud and JLT, Rail is the coolest game hub. The price for their PC games is Dhs10 per hour whereas their Playstation games are charged for Dhs25 for an hour.
Ezone
Close to Millennium Caf is Ezone. Ezone offers the complete billiards, gaming and caf experience all under one roof. You can devour delicious snacks incase you get hungry playing all those games. Pssst.they also offer Starbucks coffee.
Shift
This venue has more than 120 computer game PCs. They have games like PubG, World of Warcraft, Tekken 7, GTA and more. When it comes to Playstation, they have FIFA 2017 and FIFA 2018 and Mortal Combat to name a few. This gaming hub is situated on Hudaiba road.
What do gamers think
"Nothing brings people closer together than gaming. The gaming cafes in Dubai serve as a vibrant demonstration of that. Battle royale games like Fortnite and PubG have broken age barriers and have brought people of all ages to play together with the goal of scoring a Victory Royale! Personally they give me a platform to put my strategic skills to test. Moreover, these games have also helped me re-connect with old friends and rebuild relationships too." - Kurian Jacob
"One observation anyone who has even remotely looked at the gaming community in Dubai makes is that regardless of the genre of games and the amount of time the person has been gaming, games unite people for the better. Games give people who are hesitant with social interactions a safe haven to find others like themselves and prosper with new social relations. It was through the gaming club in my university that I could socialise and make friends especially in a new environment." - Tasbeera Ali
"Gaming for me means a lot. It helps me relax after a day's work and relieves stress that is accumulated as you escape from reality. To many it may seem like a waste of time but some people find peace in getting lost in another world. Many games make you think and feel and at times I find myself emotionally attached to games rather than movies and TV shows. It is a great way to socialise with others as well." -Kenith Castelino
Does career beckon?
Become the next big thing in the gaming industry and take a game development course. ISD Global (Institute of Strategic Dialogue) in partnership with the National Film and Television School is bringing their first-of-a-kind gaming workshop to Dubai. The course will cover subjects such as Unity Fundamentals, Assets and Level Design, Scripting and Programming, Animation, and more. The workshop will take place from October 9 to October 17 at IN5 in Dubai Knowledge Park.
Copyright © 2018 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
