The three-day Games 15 event that finished in Dubai on Saturday demonstrated the great interest in video games. The exhibition attracted more than 20,000 people, many of them eager to see the latest games and gaming technology and take part in head-to-head competitions. It is clear that the opportunity exists to capitalise on this phenomenon, not just through further events but by encouraging the development of games with greater local resonance.
A few companies are already engaged in the industry, but more can be done to raise the appeal and quality of locally produced games and, hence, their commercial viability. There are also cultural reasons to develop games here.
Video games have established themselves in the mainstream as a medium that helps shape young people’s understanding of the world. In doing so, they construct and convey representations of certain groups of people. Too many games involve anti-Arab and anti-Muslim stereotypes, with Middle Eastern characters overwhelmingly cast as terrorists or other villains who must be destroyed. Many of these games also involve misogyny and the over-sexualisation and objectification of women. Female characters are often depicted as weak. They wear revealing clothes – or appear naked – and are cast as negative figures such as prostitutes. Some games even encourage the exploitation and abuse of women to unlock rewards and boost players’ abilities.
As it diversifies its economy, the UAE is on a mission to seek out and incubate talent and enterprise in all areas. Establishing a “silicon desert” of game and app developers makes sense on many levels. We can tell our own stories in our own way, with a range of authentic Arab characters, and stories and situations that are respectful of women. In doing so, we could open up gaming to a whole new set of enthusiasts across the region and the world.
Initiatives such as the twofour54 Gaming Academy and individuals like Fakhra Al Mansouri, who established her own gaming company Hybrid Humans in January, are leading the way. We encourage others to follow.