In November 2023, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 (DPG33), overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation.
The targets
- Place Dubai among the world's top 10 gaming cities
- Create 30,000 new jobs in the sector
- Add $1 billion to Dubai's GDP by 2033
By mid-2025 the Dubai Future Foundation reported more than 350 gaming companies operating in the city, 260 of them specialised game developers, with over 60 new companies set up since the programme launched.
The jobs aren't only for pro players
When people hear "gaming jobs" they picture professional players. In reality most roles are behind the screen:
- Game design, programming and level design
- 3D art, animation and sound
- Production, testing and quality assurance
- Esports event production, casting and broadcasting
- Community management, marketing and content creation
- Coaching, wellness and education
Skills that transfer
The skills these jobs need start early: problem-solving, teamwork, communication, creativity and the discipline to finish a project. That's why we built The Time Traveler: Burj Khalifa as a real, playable Fortnite island with a lesson plan, and why our school trips include a Careers in Gaming Day.
For structured courses in game design, AI and robotics, our sister academy Ascend EdTech runs programmes for ages 6 to 16 and adults.
