Gaming

The Rise of eSports Has Made Gaming Accessible and Attractive

Published

4 years ago

June 29, 2020

In an exclusive interview, Paul Collins, the General Manager for MEA at Acer, speaks about the gaming market in the region and future predictions

What sort of market size do we have in the MEA region for gaming laptops and gaming PCs?
Looking at the Middle East region, specifically UAE, GCC, Saudi, Egypt and a few export markets, the pure gaming laptop market is 15,000 units a month sold to gamers. It is a little tougher to predict Africa and the gaming desktop market, due to the self-build nature of the environment.

How according to you is the market segmented between casual gamers, hardcore gamers, and professional gamers?
If we look at the PC user market, not taking mobile users into account, the split would be 70% casual gamers, 25% hardcore and 5% Semi Pro and Pro. The console and mobile market would be predominantly casual gaming.

What is a sweet price-point for gamers in the region when it comes to buying a gaming laptop or a PC?
The fastest moving segment at the moment is for a laptop with a 15-inch screen, an Intel Core i7 chipset and GTX 1650 graphics card. The price-point for these products and configurations is between $900 and $1000.

What will the regional gaming market size and growth rate be like in 2021?
We have seen very good growth over the past months and this will mean a record year in 2020. I expect that the market may grow a further 10 to 15% next year.

What are the key factors driving the regional gaming market?
Mobile has been the largest contributor to the gaming market in the past, and it’s great to see a move from mobile to other platforms in recent years. It appears that COVID-19 may also be a factor, as people are seeking more entertainment from home. We also see that team orientated games, such as 1st person shooters are gaining popularity with young adults and the team format is bringing more players into the fold, not to mention the rise of eSports which has made gaming far more accessible and attractive locally.

What are the challenges to market growth?
Speaking as a gaming PC manufacturer, the next generation consoles by Sony and Microsoft, in 2021 will be strong competition. This is still good for the overall market as there seems to be a natural evolution of players from console to PC over time. In general, some localised market uncertainty in our region can also provide short term challenges to business.

What sort of market opportunities and threats do you face as a gaming laptop and PC vendor in the regional gaming market?
The opportunities are endless, as we notice that the market has not followed a natural path. This means that there is an endless stream of new entrants to the market with people shifting from mobile phone gaming to other forms of gaming, females growing interest in gaming, E-Sports, and the entrance of formal gaming leagues in the ME. These opportunities stimulate growth for many years to come. We are also seeing a massive demand for gaming monitors and accessories such as headsets. Following this there will be demand in the future for 3D, VR, and new tech which will drive the business.

How is innovation driving the growth of the gaming market? Can you share specific innovations from Acer?
In the early years of gaming it was the race for more power and speed with size and weight being sacrificed. Now as power can be delivered in more compact units, the drive to “thin and light” devices is becoming more important. This means that innovations such as AeroBlade and Vortexflow – Acer’s patented cooling systems, are becoming technologies that set us apart from competitors. Low power chips from CPU and GPU manufacturer mean reasonably good battery life as well.

Some of our other innovations include the technologies featured in our monitors. There’s LightSense in which the monitor detects the amount of ambient light in the viewing environment and automatically adjusts its brightness settings to maximize viewing comfort. AdaptiveLight automatically adjusts the monitor’s backlights to suit the ambient light in the room, while ProxiSense reminds gamers to take a break after a set amount of time. For gamers, remaining competitive in terms of faster refresh rates and shorter response times is critical and so in line with that, we recently launched new Predator Gaming monitors which include up to 360 Hz refresh rate and a 0.5 ms (G to G) response time.

Related Topics:Acer eSports Featured gaming Interview Middle East

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Electric Scooters

Acer to Showcase Cutting-Edge Tech and AI at GITEX 2024

Published

10 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Chris Fernando

Acer Middle East returns to GITEX Global this October with a wide range of tech innovations and solutions that are sure to impress tech enthusiasts and visitors alike. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 14th – 18th October 2024, visitors will be able to discover the latest in Artificial Intelligence, amongst other innovations from Acer’s diverse range of cutting-edge products for education, gaming, mobility, sustainability, business and more.

Acer is committed to creating an impact at GITEX as the event brings together the world’s brightest minds from across the tech industry from more than 170 countries. Through their participation in the event, Acer aims to continue to build and strengthen relationships with clients, while also showcasing their latest technologies and product ranges.

Commenting on the upcoming exhibition, Michele Montecchio, General Manager at Acer Middle East said: “We are excited to showcase our latest innovations, solutions and AI technologies alongside some of the largest tech giants that exist today.”

Visitors to GITEX will have the opportunity to experience Acer’s latest range of products through live demonstrations and hands-on experiences at the tech brand’s interactive stand. Showcasing something for everyone, products on display from Acer will include a wide selection of outstanding tech innovations across a variety of categories.

E-Mobility

The Predator Extreme PES017, a daring E Scooter with a bold design built for adventure and exploration.

AI Laptops

Acer’s new Swift AI Copilot+ PCs are available with a variety of processors, including Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor, AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors and Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2). These laptops utilize greater AI processing power and performance without compromise. Whether creating, working, or streaming – these Copilot+ PCs streamline daily tasks and workloads more efficiently and enable Acer’s on-device AI applications to help enhance users’ digital experiences.

Education and Business
The Chromebook Plus 515 is designed to empower productivity, efficiency, and multitasking. Featuring a powerful processor, a 1080p webcam, multiple connectivity ports, a fast-charging 10-hour-life battery, military-grade durability and built-in AI apps, this 15-inch Chromebook Plus is perfect for work and play, while withstanding daily wear and tear.

The new ultra-thin-and-light Acer TravelMate P614 AI laptop is designed and built purposefully for commercial organizations, offering exceptional performance, mobility and AI capabilities. With its long battery life, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and MIL-STD 810H durability, it’s ideal for professionals who work in a hybrid setting.

Gaming

The newly introduced Acer Nitro Blaze 7 is a powerful and portable handheld AI gaming device that delivers lightning-fast performance and efficiency for everyday gaming and entertainment on the go. Gamers can expect elevated efficiency and support for on-device AI-powered capabilities, real-time graphical upscaling and lag-free experiences. This handheld design allows users to easily slide the device into their bags or pockets for instant gaming wherever they are.

The Predator XB273K V5 Monitor has a crisp 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution, a smooth 160 Hz refresh rate and a lightning-fast response time of up to 0.5 ms (GTG). It’s sure to deliver flawless gameplay and stunning clarity.

Tech Innovations

The Acer SpatialLabs Eyes is a multifaceted and intuitive 3D camera suitable for business and lifestyle users alike. Featuring 8MP per eye resolution, a selfie mirror, and a weatherproof design, users can create 3D content, stream live, and join meetings in 3 Dimensions.

For connectivity needs, the Acer Wave 7 Wi-Fi 7 mesh router creates a robust and secure high-speed network connection designed for modern living. It is the fastest and most seamless solution to achieve uninterrupted streaming, gaming, and browsing from any corner of your home or workspace.

Visit Acer’s stand at GITEX Global, at Hall 3, STAND NO: H3-C20 from 14 – 18 October 2024 at The Dubai World Trade Centre.

Events

GAMERGY is Coming to the MENA Region

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2024

Chris Fernando

GAMERGY is extending its presence to the MENA region. After exciting editions in Europe and Latin America, the festival arrives in Egypt. For three days (January 30 to February 1) it will become the global meeting point for esports fans and international players competing for the best prizes. For this new edition of GAMERGY, MENATech, a company of the GGTech Entertainment group, will have the collaboration and support of ievents, eProjects LLC, and Influence Communications, leaders in event management, communication and experience creation.

The venue chosen for the celebration of this new edition of GAMERGY is Al Burouj, developed by IMKAN Misr in Cairo. Attendees will have access to a wide range of games for PC, mobile and consoles, with exciting tournaments, live performances by top artists, meet & greets with influencers and the best esports teams in the region. GAMERGY is a pioneering event designed for video game enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. The next edition in Egypt will create an immersive environment where the physical and virtual worlds will merge, allowing participants to connect and engage in unforgettable experiences.

GAMERGY has organized more than 20 successful editions in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Miami, and Panama, consolidating its status as a dominant force in the e-sports, leisure and entertainment scene for the whole family. Mario Perez, CEO de MENATech, expressed his enthusiasm, “We are very excited about the first edition of GAMERGY in the MENA region, and it is a privilege that it is being held in Cairo. Following the expansion of GAMERGY over the past three years, with successful events in Spain, Mexico, Panama, Miami, Argentina and beyond, this marks an important milestone for us. Egypt’s gaming community is truly impressive and we are delighted to have the opportunity to engage with them and deliver an unforgettable experience to gamers of all ages. With the support of our partner in the Middle East, eProjects LLC, we are confident that GAMERGY Egypt will be a standout event on the GAMERGY International Tour.”

Sherif ElBassiouny, CEO of eProjects LLC, commented on the unique coalition, saying, “Hosting this groundbreaking eGaming event in Egypt is a testament to the nation’s growing influence in the digital and entertainment sectors. We are proud to bring together gamers and enthusiasts from across the MENA region, fostering innovation, competition, and community. This event not only highlights Egypt’s potential as a regional hub for eSports but also reflects our commitment to empowering the youth and embracing the future of digital entertainment. Together with our local partners, ievents and Influence Communications, we are paving the way for new opportunities in this thriving industry.”

GAMERGY combines entertainment and innovative technology, offering a unique experience where fun and creativity come together, as well as a disruptive experience for visitors and gamers alike. It will offer top-notch content on all aspects of the gaming world and showcase the latest technological advances in esports.

Displays

Sony Launches INZONE M10S OLED Gaming Monitor Co-Developed with Fnatic

Published

2 weeks ago

September 25, 2024

Chris Fernando

Sony has expanded its INZONE gaming gear lineup with the introduction of the INZONE M10S and M9 II gaming monitors. The INZONE M10S, a 27-inch OLED monitor, offers an unprecedented level of motion clarity and instant responsiveness with a 480Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time. The INZONE M9 II, an update to Sony’s 4K HDR gaming monitor, features backlight scanning for improved motion clarity.

INZONE M10S

Co-developed with esports team Fnatic, the INZONE M10S is designed for competitive gaming. Its 24.5-inch playing mode and new FPS Pro modes offer optimal performance and image quality for tournament-level gameplay. With a 480Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, the INZONE M10S delivers exceptional motion clarity and instant responsiveness.

Key Features of the INZONE M10S:

27-inch QHD 1440p OLED display
480Hz refresh rate
0.03ms response time
DisplayHDR True Black 400
Custom Heat Sink
Adjustable stand with height, tilt, and swivel options
DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1
NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible

INZONE M9 II

The INZONE M9 II builds upon the success of its predecessor with the addition of backlight scanning technology. This feature improves motion clarity and provides a more immersive gaming experience. The INZONE M9 II also offers a high contrast 4K display with full array local dimming technology.

Key Features of the INZONE M9 II:

27-inch 4K UHD IPS display
160Hz refresh rate
Full array local dimming
Backlight scanning technology
750 nits peak brightness
DisplayHDR 600
Wide color gamut DCI-P3 95%
1ms response time
Adjustable stand with height, tilt, and swivel options
DisplayPort 2.1 (included cable is 1.4) and HDMI 2.1

The INZONE M10S gaming monitor will be available from October for AED 4699. The INZONE M9 II gaming monitor will be available from October for AED 3499.

Gadget Voize

The Rise of eSports Has Made Gaming Accessible and Attractive

Gaming

The Rise of eSports Has Made Gaming Accessible and Attractive