Al Hamed Visits China Joy Expo in Shanghai, Explores Digital Entertainment Trends

UAE Positions Itself as Global Gaming Hub with Strategic China Partnership Ahead of Bridge 2025

The UAE is making bold moves to capture a larger share of the global gaming and digital entertainment market, with senior officials conducting high-level visits to China's premier gaming expo as part of preparations for the ambitious Bridge 2025 summit in Abu Dhabi. This strategic outreach signals the Emirates' intent to become the Middle East's dominant player in the $200 billion global gaming industry.

High-Stakes Diplomacy at China Joy 2025

Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the UAE National Media Office and Emirates Media Council, led a delegation to China Joy 2025, China's largest digital entertainment event. The visit represents more than ceremonial diplomacy—it's a calculated effort to forge partnerships with Chinese tech giants ahead of the UAE's own Bridge 2025 summit, scheduled for December 8-10 in Abu Dhabi.

The timing is strategic. China's gaming market, worth over $50 billion annually, has matured rapidly, while Chinese companies like Tencent and ByteDance have become global entertainment powerhouses. The UAE delegation's focus on AI-driven gaming technologies and smart mobility integration suggests the Emirates is positioning itself not just as a regional hub, but as a global bridge between Eastern and Western gaming markets.

Technology Showcase Reveals Industry Transformation

Mobile Gaming and AI Integration

During the expo, UAE officials examined cutting-edge innovations from major Chinese players. OnePlus, OPPO's gaming-focused subsidiary, demonstrated smartphones with advanced cooling systems and high-refresh displays—hardware crucial for the mobile gaming boom that now represents over 50% of global gaming revenue.

More significantly, Douyin (TikTok's Chinese version) showcased AI tools enabling real-time interactive content creation for gaming influencers. This technology could revolutionize how gaming content is produced and monetized, particularly relevant as the UAE builds its own content creator economy.

Beyond Gaming: Smart Mobility Convergence

The delegation's visit to BYD, the electric vehicle giant, highlights an emerging trend: the convergence of transportation and entertainment. BYD's integrated gaming platforms in vehicles represent the future of in-car entertainment, particularly relevant for the UAE's smart city initiatives and autonomous vehicle adoption plans.

CreateAI's presentation on AI-generated non-player characters (NPCs) offers a glimpse into the metaverse's next phase, where virtual worlds become increasingly sophisticated and autonomous.

Strategic Implications for Regional Gaming Dominance

Competing with Established Hubs

The UAE's gaming ambitions face stiff competition. Singapore has established itself as Southeast Asia's gaming capital, while Saudi Arabia's $38 billion gaming investment through its Public Investment Fund has created a formidable regional rival. The UAE's approach appears more focused on becoming a cultural and technological bridge rather than simply throwing capital at the sector.

Unlike Saudi Arabia's acquisition-heavy strategy—including purchases of major gaming companies—the UAE is emphasizing partnership-building and platform creation through events like Bridge 2025.

Market Timing and Economic Diversification

This gaming push aligns with the UAE's broader economic diversification strategy. As oil revenues face long-term uncertainty, the gaming industry offers high-growth potential with relatively low infrastructure requirements compared to traditional industries.

The global gaming market is expected to reach $321 billion by 2026, with mobile gaming and AI-driven experiences leading growth. By positioning itself as a hub now, the UAE could capture significant value as the industry expands across the Middle East and Africa.

Bridge 2025: A Calculated Gamble

The upcoming Bridge 2025 summit represents the UAE's bid to create a new global forum for digital content and gaming industries. By bringing together Chinese tech leaders, Western gaming companies, and regional players, the Emirates aims to establish Abu Dhabi as a neutral ground for industry collaboration.

This approach mirrors the UAE's successful strategy in other sectors—from aviation to finance—where it has positioned itself as a connector between East and West. In gaming, this could mean facilitating Chinese companies' expansion into Western markets while helping Western developers access Asian audiences.

The success of Bridge 2025 will likely determine whether the UAE can transform from a regional player into a global gaming industry hub, or whether it remains another ambitious initiative in an increasingly crowded field of aspiring tech centers.