The Arab Youth Center has launched the intensive applied phase of its Arab Youth Hackathon – Gaming Edition, bringing together 50 young innovators from 10 Arab countries. The program, hosted at the headquarters of AD Gaming, is implemented through a strategic partnership with Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and AD Gaming, with gold sponsorship from Tiger Group Holding and in collaboration with Games Ventures and Futuregames.
A Professional Studio Simulation
This pivotal phase marks a key milestone in the three-month applied training programme, which is designed to replicate the working environment of a global game development studio. Participants have been organized into four multidisciplinary teams, functioning as independent studios that unite developers, designers, artists, and narrative writers. This hands-on experience mirrors the professional game production cycle, guiding teams from initial concept to a final, polished product.
The program’s earlier stages involved recruitment and selection, followed by concept development throughout November and December 2025. During that period, teams developed their core ideas, built worlds and characters, and produced alpha builds under the mentorship of international gaming experts. The current intensive phase focuses on creating the final game versions, or “Golden Builds,” enhancing gameplay, and preparing for the final showcase.
From Development To Global Showcase
The hackathon will culminate in a final showcase during the World Government Summit, scheduled to take place in Dubai from February 3-5, 2026. The four competing teams will present their fully developed original games, complete with cinematic trailers and live gameplay demonstrations.
These presentations will be featured as part of the Arab Youth Center’s participation in the Summit, coinciding with the Arab Meeting for Young Leaders. This will provide the young innovators with a unique opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience of decision-makers, investors, and gaming industry leaders, opening doors for potential partnerships and future career pathways.
Fostering A Promising Economic Pathway
H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth and Vice Chairman of the Arab Youth Center, emphasized the program’s significance. “The Arab Youth Hackathon – Gaming Edition represents an advanced Arab model for preparing game developers,” he stated, noting that Arab identity offers a powerful foundation for digital world-building.
He added, “The UAE continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for youth empowerment and future industries…electronic games have become a promising creative and economic pathway for Arab youth, offering genuine opportunities to build professional skills and pursue new avenues in employment, production, and entrepreneurship.”
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, commented on the partnership’s alignment with the Chamber’s goals. “This initiative supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda and reinforces the UAE’s position as a regional hub for the gaming industry,” he said.
Building A Digital Arab Ecosystem
The initiative is seen as a cornerstone in developing a competitive regional talent pool. H. E. Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, affirmed that AD Gaming’s strategic partnership underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to investing in young talent.
“The transition of the ‘Arab Youth Hackathon – Gaming Edition’ to the in-person training phase marks a pivotal milestone… as it enables participants to operate within an interactive environment that fosters innovation and accelerates the transformation of ideas into scalable and sustainable digital products,” His Excellency noted.
About Arab Youth Center
The Arab Youth Center’s Hackathon is the first fully integrated regional programme dedicated to preparing Arab youth to enter the gaming industry through a professional framework. Its vision centers on transforming Arab identity from traditional cultural material into contemporary interactive digital content aligned with global trends. By developing original games inspired by Arab culture and providing hands-on training that mirrors global studio operations, the programme enhances production skills and contributes to strengthening Arab digital content within the global creative economy.
Source: Zawya
