Abu dhabi: The Arab Youth Centre in Abu Dhabi (AYC), in collaboration with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, has announced the launch of the second edition of the Arab Youth Hackathon 2025-2026, focusing on electronic games. This initiative marks the first regional programme aimed at empowering young Arab developers to create original video games that reflect Arab culture and identity.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative, themed ‘Gaming, Powered by Arab Identity’, offers a platform for young developers to showcase their talents on a global scale. The gaming market is projected to reach $600 billion by 2030, and this hackathon is designed to help Arab developers contribute to this growing industry. The programme, organized in strategic partnership with Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and Games Ventures, and in collaboration with Futuregames, aims to develop a new generation of Arab developers skilled in combining storytelling with modern gaming technology.
The AYC has opened registration f
or 50 talented youth from across the Arab world, who will undergo a three-month training programme that simulates professional game studio workflows. Participants will work in multidisciplinary teams, guided by international mentors and industry professionals, focusing on areas such as design, programming, art, animation, and visual effects. The training will include hands-on workshops, masterclasses, and project-based development, culminating in a showcase during the World Government Summit in February 2026. During this event, five original games will be presented with trailers and live gameplay demos.
The hackathon aims to develop narrative-driven games that draw on the region’s cultural heritage, producing competitive titles with strong characters and immersive worlds. This initiative seeks to position Arab culture as a source of contemporary interactive stories for the global market.
Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth and Vice Chairman of the AYC, emphasized the Arab world’s potentia
l to significantly impact the global gaming industry, citing its large youth population, rich cultural heritage, and expanding digital economy. He highlighted the initiative’s role in positioning the UAE as a hub for innovation and a platform for empowering young talent.
Saeed Al Gergwai, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, reiterated the commitment of Dubai Chambers to empower Arab youth as key drivers of economic development and innovation. The hackathon aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and aims to equip Arab developers with the skills necessary to produce culturally reflective and competitive content in the global gaming market.
Fatima Al Hallami, Executive Director of the AYC, described the hackathon as a unique opportunity for Arab youth to make a mark in the fast-growing creative industry. She noted its potential to launch a generation of developers who can globally share stories and identity through competitive digital content.
Mohamed El Sheakh, Founder and CEO of Games V
entures, expressed support for the programme, emphasizing the potential of Arab youth to shape the future of gaming. He highlighted the partnership with the Arab Youth Center as a means to support creativity, talent, and ambition in the gaming sector.
Participants will be selected based on technical skills, collaboration ability, commitment, access to suitable hardware, and proficiency in English. Teams will work in a realistic development environment, incorporating hands-on training, mentoring, and expert sessions from leading global game companies. The programme emphasizes team building, project management, and professional networking, preparing participants to lead future projects.
The hackathon is set to boost Arab representation in global game development by supporting culturally grounded projects and equipping young developers with the skills and networks needed to launch successful careers and independent studios.
