VAP GROUP REINFORCES ABU DHABI AS GAMING ECOSYSTEM CENTRE

Posted on by Girish Bajaj. GB

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The Global Games Show Abu Dhabi 2025, held December 10–11 at Space42 Arena, has cemented its place as a defining event in gaming and interactive tech.Uniting 5,000+ attendees, 100+ speakers, and 100+ companies, it brought together developers, Web3 innovators, esports leaders, and investors to shape the future of play.From AI to blockchain-powered ownership, the games revolution is live—and Abu Dhabi is at the center.

Powered by Times of Games, the Global Games Show Abu Dhabi spotlighted gaming’s next evolution—where decentralization empowers players with true ownership, new monetization paths, and deeper community control. With mobile esports rising across MENA, Asia, and LATAM, leaders explored how professional leagues, in-game economies, and streaming are reshaping competitive play. From sponsorships to NFTs, the future of gaming is live—and it’s built on innovation.

Abu Dhabi Gaming took center stage at the Global Games Show, showcasing the emirate’s bold push to become a global gaming and esports capital. With strong incentives, funding, and infrastructure—including the upcoming Esports Island—the initiative is attracting studios, startups, and investors ready to build the future of play. From local talent to global partnerships, Abu Dhabi is leveling up.

It’s great; there are very interesting people around here. I’ve already had a couple of interesting chats. Some old friends from all around the globe were coming. So I’m very positive about the event, and I love Abu Dhabi; it’s amazing. I’ve been following the Abu Dhabi gaming guys for quite some time and how they’re developing the ecosystem here, and I’m all supportive of that. I really hope there will be some great games coming out of the region, some great products that also go to the West. That would be my hope. So I’m very much enjoying my time here.” Georg Broxterman, Founder & CEO, Game Influencer.

At the Global Games Show 2025, GameInfluencer CEO Georg Broxtermann highlighted a shift toward authentic, community-driven influencer marketing and the rapid growth of the Middle East gaming ecosystem collaboration to drive sustainable long-term growth in the gaming industry. He advocated for long-term collaborations between studios and creators while emphasizing the industry’s responsibility to support sustainability through initiatives like GamesForest.Club.

Georg Broxtermann emphasized a strategic pivot from transactional business to deep, long-term ecosystem collaboration within the gaming industry. The event highlighted a shift toward decentralized, player-centric economies, Web3 integration, and the prioritization of niche creators for better engagement. The event highlighted trends in Web3, AI-driven engagement, and creator-led platforms.

At the Global Games Show Abu Dhabi 2025, Future Dynamics CEO Cathy Hackl highlighted the evolution of gaming from a niche hobby to a central, immersive cultural and economic driver by 2030. She emphasized the rapid growth of decentralized, player-centric economies and the integration of AI in shaping future virtual worlds. She further identified the rise of “Virtual GDP” and the role of AI as a collaborative tool in shaping the future of interactive, immersive experiences.

Layden delivered a keynote titled “No One Is Coming to Save You: Why the Future of Gaming Belongs to the Builders”. Key takeaways from his presentation and post-event reflections included:

Empowering Creators: He examined the evolving role of developers and innovators, emphasizing that proactive thinking and leadership will guide the next generation of gaming.

Regional Growth: Layden praised the “positive energy” and “optimism” of the emerging gaming sector in the UAE, stating the event “truly reflects the future being built” in the region.

Industry Legacy: His participation leveraged his 32-year history at Sony to provide a reflective perspective on the challenges and responsibilities facing modern developers.

The “AI & Future of Game Production” session at Global Games Show Abu Dhabi 2025 highlighted a shift toward data-driven creation, utilizing AI for automated content generation, improved LiveOps, and enhanced development efficiency. Experts emphasized the need for stronger governance and pipeline controls to manage the increased volume of AI-assisted assets, alongside treating AI infrastructure as a scalable, modular component.