--- title: "Dubai’s gaming ambition: what the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 means for young people – Ascend Esports" url: https://ascendesport.ae/dubai-program-for-gaming-2033/ description: "Top 10 gaming city, 30,000 jobs and $1 billion for the economy. A plain-English guide to Dubai's gaming plan, and the skills it rewards." last_modified: 2026-11-09T17:07:02+04:00 site: "Ascend Esports" summary_for_agents: https://ascendesport.ae/llms.txt --- [Game Design & Careers](https://ascendesport.ae/category/game-design-careers/) # Dubai’s gaming ambition: what the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 means for young people Top 10 gaming city, 30,000 jobs and $1 billion for the economy. A plain-English guide to Dubai's gaming plan, and the skills it rewards. ![](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hammer.png) **Ascend Esports team** 10 March 2026 · 2 min read Share [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Dubai%26%238217%3Bs%20gaming%20ambition%3A%20what%20the%20Dubai%20Program%20for%20Gaming%202033%20means%20for%20young%20people%20https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fdubai-program-for-gaming-2033%2F) [X](https://x.com/intent/post?text=Dubai%26%238217%3Bs%20gaming%20ambition%3A%20what%20the%20Dubai%20Program%20for%20Gaming%202033%20means%20for%20young%20people&url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fdubai-program-for-gaming-2033%2F) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fdubai-program-for-gaming-2033%2F) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fdubai-program-for-gaming-2033%2F) ![The Burj Khalifa and the Dubai skyline](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/dubai-program-for-gaming-2033.jpg) The Burj Khalifa and the Dubai skyline 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](https://ascendesport.ae/burj-khalifa/) as a real, playable Fortnite island with a lesson plan, and why our [school trips](https://ascendesport.ae/educational-trips/) include a Careers in Gaming Day. For structured courses in game design, AI and robotics, our sister academy [Ascend EdTech](https://ascendedu.online/) runs programmes for ages 6 to 16 and adults. ## Sources - [Dubai gaming ecosystem expands with 350+ companies, Dubai Future Foundation](https://www.dubaifuture.ae/latest-news/dubai-gaming-ecosystem-expands-rapidly-with-350-companies-and-1-billion-economic-target-under-dubai-program-for-gaming-2033/) - [Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, UAE government portal](https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/government-services-and-digital-transformation/dubai-program-for-gaming-2033) ![](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hammer.png) Written by the Ascend Esports team Coaches, game builders and wellness specialists at Ascend Esports, the esports division of Ascend Innovations in Mirdif, Dubai. Questions about this article? [Ask Ascenzo](https://ascendesport.ae/dubai-program-for-gaming-2033/#chat). 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Age guidance from headset makers, safety basics and good ways to use it. 18 Aug 2026 · 2 min read [Game Design & Careers](https://ascendesport.ae/category/game-design-careers/) ### [Build your first Fortnite island: a beginner’s path into UEFN](https://ascendesport.ae/build-your-first-fortnite-island-uefn/) Unreal Editor for Fortnite turns players into creators. What it is, what you need, and the five-step path our studio recommends. 9 Jun 2026 · 2 min read [Game Design & Careers](https://ascendesport.ae/category/game-design-careers/) ### [Ten careers in gaming that aren’t “pro player” (and how to start in the UAE)](https://ascendesport.ae/careers-in-gaming-uae/) Designers, artists, casters, producers, coaches. The roles behind the games, the skills they need, and first steps for students. 28 Apr 2026 · 2 min read ## Ready to build your child's future? A free trial session, on-site in Mirdif or online. We reply within one business day. 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