GameExpo Summit 2025 kicked off this week at Dubai World Trade Centre, uniting over 1,500 global gaming professionals for two days of high-level networking, innovation showcases, and strategic dialogue.
Held on 7–8 May, the premier B2B gaming conference returned as a key part of the citywide Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), now in its fourth edition.
Powered by Pocket Gamer Connects in partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the summit continues to position Dubai as a central hub in the MENA region’s rapidly growing gaming economy. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the event offers a vital platform for developers, publishers, investors, and tech innovators.
More than 70 leading voices from across the global gaming industry are headlining the event, leading discussions across nine themed tracks. These include hot-button topics like AI, web3, metaverse technology, user acquisition strategies, monetisation models, and game publishing trends.
A key highlight of this year’s agenda is the debut of the Investment Summit, designed to spotlight emerging investment opportunities in gaming. The programme features expert panels on market growth, funding strategies, and the advantages of investing in Dubai’s thriving digital sector.
Also making its first appearance is PitchPlay, an investment-focused contest hosted with DMCC. It gives game entrepreneurs and startups a chance to win prizes worth AED 55,000, including a DMCC Gaming Centre Package and promotional support.
Returning favourites include The Very Big Indie Pitch and the Connector SpeedMatch sessions, offering developers fast-track access to investors and publishers. Meanwhile, the Futura Advice Pitstop provides one-on-one consultations with legal and tax specialists, underscoring the summit’s comprehensive approach to empowering the gaming ecosystem.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
