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23 - 24 November 2026

Abu Dhabi, UAE

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09:00
KEYNOTE
REGISTRATION & COFFEE
THE NEXT FRONTIER OF GAMING ECONOMY
09:50
Welcome to the Future: Global Games Show - Vision 2033

#GlobalGamesShow #FutureOfGaming #GamingEconomy

10:00
PANEL DISCUSSION
The Gaming Universe: From Entertainment to Global Infrastructure
Speaker:
  • Gaming as a foundation for digital economies and virtual platforms
  • How games enable social interaction, commerce, and creativity
  • The convergence of gaming, cloud, AI, and real-time infrastructure

#GamingInfrastructure #DigitalEconomy #FutureTech

10:45
Fireside Chat
Games Are the New Cultural Language: The New Rules of Marketing
  • Gaming communities as the new drivers of cultural influence
  • Authentic brand engagement inside virtual and social spaces
  • How IP, storytelling, and interactivity redefine marketing
Moderator:

#GamingCulture #BrandStorytelling #NextGenMarketing

11:10
SPOTLIGHT KEYNOTE
The Power of Influence: Twitch, YouTube & the Creator Economy of Gaming
  • Growth of Twitch, YouTube, and creator-led discovery
  • Monetization models for creators, platforms, and studios
  • Building sustainable gaming communities through influence
  • Reserved for sponsor

#CreatorEconomy #GameStreaming #InfluenceMarketing

11:30
KEYNOTE
AI Gen Game Design: Can Machines Replace Human Creativity
  • The role of generative AI in storytelling and world-building
  • Collaboration between human designers and intelligent systems
  • Ethical and creative limits of AI-driven game design
  • Reserved for sponsor

#AIGaming #GameDesign #CreativeTechnology

GAMING - IMMERSIVE ECOSYSTEMS
11:50
FIRESIDE CHAT
From Screens to Worlds: AR, VR & Mixed Reality: Potential & Challenges
  • Evolution from flat screens to immersive experiences
  • Technical, cost, and adoption challenges in XR
  • Use cases beyond gaming: education, social, and enterprise
  • Reserved for sponsor

#ARVR #MixedReality #ImmersiveGaming

12:55
PANEL DISCUSSION
Legacy vs Vision: How the UAE Is Redefining Global Esports
  • National strategies driving esports growth in the UAE
  • Infrastructure, policy, and talent development
  • Positioning the region as a global esports hub

#UAEEsports #GlobalGaming #EsportsVision

THE BILLION-DOLLAR BATTLEFIELD
13:45
PANEL DISCUSSION
The Rise of Cross-Platform Play: How to Build Games for a Unified Player Base
  • Designing seamless gameplay across PC, console, and mobile
  • Technical challenges of cross-platform ecosystems
  • Monetization and retention in unified player bases

#CrossPlatformGaming #GameDevelopment #PlayerExperience

14:40
Panel Discussion
The Billion-Dollar Arena: Unlocking Value in Competitive Gaming
Speakers:
  • Denise K Zales, Founder / Chief Executive Officer, KNOWN
  • Brittany Kaiser, Chief Executive Officer, AlphaTON Capital
  • Omar⁩ Rahim, Founder, Arena Two
Moderator:
  • Basma Nourani, Chairman, PBN Investments
15:25
SPOTLIGHT KEYNOTE
How AI and Analytics are Revolutionizing Esports Strategies
Speaker:
  • Yat Siu, Co-Founder & Chairman, Animoca Brands
15:45
FIRESIDE CHAT
Mind Over Console: How Neural Interfaces are Transforming Game Access for All
  • Vishal Gondal, Founder & CEO, GOQii
Moderator:
  • David Lolaev, Founder, Sal'Ad Labs
16:05
FIRESIDE CHAT
Beyond the Screen: How Games Will Rewrite Entertainment, Fashion & Culture by 2030
  • Cathy Hackl, Tech & Gaming Executive and Chief Executive Officer, Future Dynamics
Moderator:
  • Motasem Migdadi, Chief Executive Officer, Innoverse Group
16:25
PANEL DISCUSSION
Breaking into Untapped Gaming Markets
  • Elie Honain, Chief Executive Officer, NES
  • Kishan Deepak Palija, Chief Executive Officer, Geekay Group
  • Sultan Al Riyami, Outreach Section Head, AD Gaming
Moderator:
  • Sara Essa, Presenter/Broadcaster & Founder, Women in Sport MENA & Padel Collective
16:25
Panel Discussion
Breaking into Untapped Gaming Markets
Speakers:
  • Hussam Hammo, CEO & Founder, Tamatem Games,
  • Nour Khrais, Founder & CEO, Maysalward
  • Elie Honain, CEO, NES
Moderator:
  • Sara Essa, Presenter
17:00
CLOSING REMARKS & END OF DAY 1
09:00
REGISTRATION & COFFEE
09:45
Welcome to the Future: Global Games Show - Vision 2033
GAMING FRONTIER: AI INNOVATION & GLOBAL REACH
10:00
PANEL DISCUSSION
AI & Future of Game Production: Navigating Emerging Trends & Technologies
  • AI-driven pipelines and studio automation
  • New tools shaping next-gen development
  • Workforce evolution in game creation

#AIProduction #GameStudios #FutureOfWork

10:45
Keynote
Beyond Translation: Culturalization and Localization Strategies for AI-Driven Experiences.
  • Designing culturally authentic global games
  • Scaling localization with AI
  • Reducing bias in automated systems
  • Reserved for sponsor

#GameLocalization #GlobalGaming #AIDesign

11:10
FIRESIDE CHAT
From Studio Garage to Greatness: Inspirational Indie Game Journeys
  • Indie development challenges and breakthroughs
  • Funding, publishing, and distribution paths
  • Lessons from successful indie studios

#IndieGames #GameFounders #CreatorStories

11:35
KEYNOTE
How AI Is Shaping the Creative Process in Game Development
  • AI as a creative collaborator
  • Impact on storytelling and player engagement
  • Future skill sets for game creators

#AICreativity #GameDesign #FutureSkills

CTRL + SECURE
11:55
FIRESIDE CHAT
Rethinking the Gamer: Women Redefining the Gaming Industry
  • Women leaders shaping the gaming ecosystem
  • Inclusion across studios, esports, and leadership
  • Building diverse gaming communities

#WomenInGaming #InclusiveTech #GamingLeadership

12:20
KEYNOTE
How Esports, Simulation, and AI Are Creating New Pathways into Motorsport
  • Sim racing as a talent pipeline
  • AI-driven performance and training
  • Convergence of gaming and real-world sports
  • Reserved for sponsor

#SimRacing #EsportsInnovation #MotorsportTech

12:40
PANEL DISCUSSION
The Global Impact of Mobile Esports Tournaments
  • Mobile esports expanding global access
  • Infrastructure and monetization models
  • Growth driven by mobile-first markets

#MobileEsports #GlobalGaming #NextGenPlayers

13:35
FIRESIDE CHAT
Scaling the Next Generation of Game Studios: Lessons from Emerging Markets
  • Studio growth strategies in emerging markets
  • Talent, funding, and global publishing
  • Sustainable scaling models

#GameStudios #StartupScaling #GamingEcosystem

THE GAMERS MIND
THE GAMERS MIND
14:10
PANEL DISCUSSION
The Future of Entertainment: Global Investment Opportunities Redefined
Speakers:
  • Marcos Muller-Habig, Sector Enablement Director, Abu Dhabi Gaming
  • Ashesh Shah, Chief Commercial Officer at VERO Labs, Inc. and Board Member, Bit Reactor
  • Jasper Hu, Principal Solutions Architect, PingCAP
  • Joseph van Heeswijk, CEO, 2Game Esports
Moderator:
  • Tess Hau, Founder, Tess Ventures
15:10
FIRESIDE CHAT
What Can Startups Learn From the Most Funded Gaming Projects
Speaker:
  • Michail Katkoff, Founder, Deconstructor of Fun
15:15
FIRESIDE CHAT
Beyond the Screen: Inside AR/VR’s Takeover of Entertainment by 2030
GAMING COMMUNITY
17:00
Global Games Show Awards
LUNCH BREAK
GAMING COMMUNITY
15:45
keynote
Edge of Innovation: Building the Infrastructure for Real-Time, Cross-Platform Gaming
Speaker:
  • Noor Ul Ain Fatima, Co-Founder & Chief Gaming Officer, Bleeding Edge Studio
16:05
PANEL DISCUSSION
From Screens to Worlds: The Next Era of Immersive, Persistent, Player-Driven Universes
  • Noor Ul Ain Fatima, Co-Founder & Chief Gaming Officer, Bleeding Edge Studio
  • Dylan Yarbrough, Head of Research & Operations Beam Ventures
  • M Das, Founder, COBOX
  • Karn Chakerverty ,Founder & CEO of Kult Games
Moderator:
  • Julia Upiterskaya, Founder, Juls
17:00
CLOSING REMARKS & END OF DAY 2

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