Dubai Internet City (DIC) will be home to the regional headquarters for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) of Tencent Games, the world’s leading games platform.
Tencent Games was launched in 2003, and has since grown into a global platform for game development, publishing and operation.
The company behind the platform, China-based Tencent, is a global conglomerate focused on internet-based technologies and employs 55,000 professionals worldwide.
The opening of Tencent Games’ regional headquarter is an indication of increased activities in the local and regional games industry which covers digital entertainment, education and cultural experiences, a statement said.
According to market research firm Newzoo, the revenue of the UAE games sector is estimated at AED1.2 billion ($324 million) in 2019. Furthermore, over 80 percent of smartphone users in the UAE play mobile games, it said.
Ammar Al Malik, managing director of Dubai Internet City (DIC) and Dubai Outsource City (DOC) said: “The launch of Tencent Games’ regional operations at DIC is an indication of their confidence in Dubai’s innovation-driven economy.
"DIC is already home to several multinational Chinese firms, and Tencent’s move to the region will further drive the growth of this sector. I am confident that we will continue to attract top innovators, entrepreneurs and international companies to Dubai.”
He added: “Gaming moves beyond entertainment and is increasingly used to engage and educate, and as more gamers and creative enthusiasts enter the industry, we can certainly expect the market to develop rapidly in the coming years.”
Vincent Wang, general manager of the Global Publishing Department at Tencent Games, said: “The UAE’s high mobile and internet penetration is an extremely encouraging indicator for tech firms across the world, and is especially relevant to the global games industry.
"Through our partnership with DIC and by setting up our regional operations in Dubai – which is already home to some of the world’s most cutting-edge companies and highly skilled talents – we look forward to creating a platform that invests in and improves the regional games market, while encouraging local games enthusiasts and developers to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.”