Arab Gaming Industry is Changing the Face of Entertainment and Technology
The Arab world has steadily accepted gaming as a social activity. This transformation has led to faster growth in the industry as more individuals join it. It is estimated that by 2025, the Arab gaming industry will be worth $5 billion, making it a major player globally. The rise in gaming is attributed to the increase in the number of games and the way users engage with them. Players now engage with machines leading to increased interaction.
Other enabling factors include the availability of streaming platforms that have allowed gamers to play and comment on the progress of other players. The Middle East region has welcomed new technologies such as the metaverse and virtual reality. When you combine these inventions with a massive urge for consumption, you realize the region will soon become a powerhouse like other parts of the world, especially the US and Europe.
Gaming Culture
Apart from economic diversification, countries in the Middle East and other Arabic nations are investing in gaming and esports to grow it as a cultural aspect. Young people have adopted gaming as a way of life since they now organize tournaments and competitions. With adequate government support, many youths and other interested adults can travel to other countries to watch and participate in gaming.
There are already World Cup competitions organized in countries like Saudi Arabia. Such tournaments featuring men and women unite the Arab world. The competitions not only enrich players taking part, but they are also a great source of entertainment for spectators.
Governments in the Arab world are also stimulating the industry’s growth through various initiatives. For instance, in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, players, programmers, and aspiring gamers can access modern studios and attend various esports academies, courtesy of the government’s efforts. Individuals who want to improve their skills can attend classes in such institutions while players can compete in the studios.
Challenges Facing the Arab Gaming Industry
Despite the massive growth of the Arab gaming industry, several challenges are facing it. The main setback has been the distorted cultural imagery of Arabs depicted in the games. Some games made in other parts of the world portray Arabs and Muslims as rogue individuals. Games like Delta Force, War in the Gulf, and Prince of Persia further enhance this stereotype.
The limitation of licensing is another challenge facing the Arab gaming industry. Due to religious restrictions on gambling, most gaming platforms have been locked out of this region. Fortunately, interested punters can still access gambling platforms that accepted Arab bettors. With online sites such as haz-tayeb.com, you can find recommendations for the best casino sites to play your favorite games.
Another challenge entails localization. The local gaming initiative is not only costly but also a massive challenge when it comes to consumer expectations. Remember, the Arab world consists of around 22 countries. It is such a daunting task to develop a game that appeals to all cultural sensibilities in all of them. There are massive ambiguities in topics around religion, work ethics, family, etc. Areas such as nudity, alcohol, sex and gambling are not permissible. It isn’t easy to design games that adhere to all these guidelines and still become entertaining to the audience.
Read Also: Dubai and Kuwait’s Joint Effort in Establishing the Region as a Gaming Haven
Author
-
by
-
