Events
Inaugural Edition of EMG 2022 to Bring Gaming Culture and Entertainment to Dubai
Esports Management Group, the leading esports, and entertainment management company, has announced EMG 2022 – the biggest gaming and entertainment festival to hit Dubai. EMG 2022, will be held at the Dubai World Trade Center and will feature a vast range of gamer culture activities, including esports tournaments, celebrity guests, friendly competitions, anime music shows, cosplay shows, and more.
The festival will take place from 10-11th June, and features the official Global Esports Tour (GET) CS:GO LAN tournament with a grand prize pool of $250,000. “We are delighted to bring the GET CS:GO Tournament to Dubai as part of the EMG 2022 Festival. It is a milestone in Dubai’s journey to becoming a global esports destination, and we are very excited to be hosting such an outstanding lineup of professional esports talents and outstanding gamer entertainment,” said Abdulla Al Gurg, founder of EMG and Vice President of the Emirates Esports Federation. “This is the first edition of EMG, and we look forward to celebrating and bringing together esports, gaming, and anime fans in the UAE annually for years to come.”
The esports action will kick off virtually on the 9th of June, with eight professional esport teams from around the world competing in the quarter-finals of GET Dubai CS:GO Tournament. Teams including Ninjas in Pajamas, Mouz, NASR ESPORTS, Falcons, Complexity, OG, Tyloo, and Movistar Ride will battle for the prize pool of US$250,000. Esports fans will be able to follow the tournament via EMG’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.
EMG 2022 officially opens on the 10th of June and will host thousands of audiences till the 11th of June at the Dubai World Trade Centre, welcoming everyone to witness the high octane semifinals and the grand finals of the GET CS:GO Tournament, along with a massive lineup of gaming entertainment, including friendly video game competitions across several venues dedicated to different games, including League of Legends, Valorant, Palworld, Call of Duty, Fortnite, FIFA, Tekken 8 and multiple VR games.
Cosplayers will be able to participate in EMG’s cosplay contest, with a chance to win a share of the US$10,000 prize pool, and even better – attendance to EMG 2022 is free for all pre-registered cosplayers. Attendees will also be able to enjoy the performances by famous Japanese pianist Animez and Japanese singer Akeboshi. The two-day festival will include meet-n-greets with Animenz, Akeboshi, and the esports teams, as well as some of the most popular influencers, including but not limited to MSDossary, Ahmed Ben Chaibah, TM Faisal, Bo3omar, SirSAN, Mark Tube, Kakashi Gaming, Hope Rima, and more.
Completing the EMG 2022 lineup will be a wide selection of official merchandise stores from top gaming teams and players.
Events
HONOR Hosts ‘HONOR the INNOVATION’ Event
HONOR revealed its latest flagship, the HONOR Magic V3, at the exclusive ‘HONOR the Innovation’ event. The launch of HONOR Magic V3 highlights HONOR’s unwavering commitment to innovation and the future of foldable technology, as the company continues to push boundaries and shape the tech landscape. The event followed HONOR’s announcement from the IFA 2024 site in Germany last week, where the company, in collaboration with Qualcomm and Microsoft, unveiled a trio of pioneering mobile AI solutions, spotlighting advancements in AI-driven computing and security.
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AI Agent, an on-device assistant that enhances user efficiency by automating tasks and integrating seamlessly with various apps. Additionally, HONOR introduced the world’s first on-device AI Deepfake Detection technology, which utilizes advanced algorithms to identify manipulated media and safeguard users from digital deception.
At the heart of the event in Dubai, is HONOR’s vision to redefine the mobile experience with groundbreaking features and design, making the HONOR Magic V3 a pivotal device in the company’s product lineup. From its innovative AI-integrated features, sleek and ultra-thin foldable design, and high-end camera systems, HONOR Magic V3 represents HONOR’s mission to deliver cutting-edge technology that meets the needs of modern users.
The UAE’s focus on becoming a global hub for innovation aligns with HONOR’s mission to elevate the mobile technology standard. Through events and devices like the Magic V3, HONOR aims to contribute to the UAE’s vision of a more connected, tech-driven future. The event also featured a dynamic panel discussion, “Social Coins of Innovation”. The panel spotlighted thought leaders including Mona Ataya, Founder of Mumzworld; Sudhu Arumugam, Chief Product Officer of M2; and Rishabh Singh, Vice President of Products at Astra Tech. Attendees experienced the future of mobile technology, networked with key figures in the tech industry, and gained insights from influential speakers.
As HONOR continues to make significant strides in the UAE and beyond, the successful launch of HONOR Magic V3 reaffirms the brand’s dedication to creating transformative technology. By consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, HONOR remains at the forefront of technological advancement, delivering products that are not only innovative but also practical, versatile, and designed for the future. The strong reception at the event sets the stage for HONOR Magic V3 to become a landmark device, solidifying HONOR’s role as a global leader in smart devices.
Events
YaLLa Esports Launches $1.5M Esports Circuit
Following a successful inaugural season in 2024, YaLLa Esports, the leading esports media company and tournament organiser in the United Arab Emirates, is thrilled to announce the return of YaLLa Compass in 2025. YaLLa Esports is expanding the tournament’s reach with two tier 1 LAN events planned across the MENA region, offering one of the highest Counter-Strike 2 prize pools at $1.5 million (up from $450k in 2024).
The 2024 YaLLa Compass season amassed a worldwide following with a combined viewership across all broadcasts of 50 million views and 5 million+ watch hours. YaLLa Compass transcended geographic boundaries with 30 global broadcasts in 15 languages, catering to a truly global audience.
“The rapid growth of esports in MENA has created a unique opportunity for brands to connect with passionate and engaged audiences,” said Klaus Kajetski, founder and CEO, YaLLa Esports. “We proudly stand as a local company that delivered an esports event of this scale meeting international standards. By collaborating with both local and global brands, we reached mutual goals and made a significant impact for all our stakeholders, not only in the gaming industry’s local startups, tech talents and pop culture enthusiasts.”
The first LAN event drew a massive crowd of 2,000+ but also acro visitors, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The competition featured some of the world’s top Counter-Strike 2 athletes, including 12 global elite teams and a local Abu Dhabi team- Ninjas in Pyjamas.
Open qualifiers for Compass begin on July 29th, with two additional open qualifiers planned for Q4 2024 and Q1 2025. Teams will finally compete in a closed qualifier stage in the leadup to the first LAN event which will be held at prominent MENA locations in Q2 2025.
Events
HP Igniting Next-Gen UAE Talent in Esports and Game Development
HP has announced the winners of this year’s GameOn with the HP Gaming Garage hackathon at an event that took place at the HP Gaming Garage Lab at Rochester University in Dubai. Part of HP’s commitment to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people globally by 2030, the GameOn with HP Gaming Garage hackathon fosters creativity and innovation among aspiring game developers between the ages of 13-18 in the UAE. This year’ s hackathon concluded last week with Dubai Gem Private School, GEMS Wellington Academy School -Silicon Oasis, GEMS Founders School, Barsha selected as the big winners for their Golden Horizons, Circle Quest, and Code Crusaders Game projects respectively.
“As the Online Games market in the United Arab Emirates thrives, HP remains dedicated to building talent and innovation through initiatives like the HP Gaming Garage. With the UAE market projected to reach a revenue of US$50.60 million in 2024 and an anticipated user base of 1.3 million by 2027, the UAE’s emergence as a gaming hub highlights the importance of empowering the next generation of gamers and developers” said Peter Oganesean, Managing Director Middle East and East Africa, HP.
The HP Gaming Garage initiative is designed to inspire and empower students across the globe to develop the skills required for success in the gaming and esports sectors. With backing from HP, this initiative offers an online Gaming Garage education course platform available in various languages, including English and Arabic. Registering in the free courses offered in Game Development and Esports Management that are available via the HP Gaming Garage curriculum, individuals have the opportunity to enhance their abilities and flourish in the digital landscape.
One of this year’s highlights of the HP Gaming Garage initiative is the GameOn hackathon, providing students in the UAE with the possibility to apply their skills and creativity to highlight, celebrate and thereby preserve culture with the guidance of experienced mentors. Students between 13 and 18 years old who completed 70% of at least one of the HP Gaming Garage courses were presented with the opportunity to participate in this year’s hackathon, which kicked off on March 29th, 2024. The goal is for the participating teams to cultivate their own gaming concepts and ideas, infusing them with cultural diversity and richness.
“Gaming has become a powerful trend, with the younger generation seeking connection and bonding through gameplay, fostering relationships in new and innovative ways. We believe that the GameOn with HP Gaming Garage hackathon offers students a unique opportunity to showcase their technical skills while exploring and celebrating their cultural heritage through the immersive medium of gaming,” commented Lavina Punjabi, Sustainability Lead Middle East and Africa, HP.
In collaboration with AMD, HP launched the HP Gaming Garage Lab at Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai in February 2021. Serving as a hub for gaming and esports enthusiasts, the Lab provides students with state-of-the-art gaming equipment and access to industry leaders, fostering skill development and networking opportunities. Equipped with cutting-edge PCs, monitors, and peripherals, students are welcome to use the facility to study and create while curated programs and industry encounter sessions offer valuable insights and connections, and competitions like online gaming tournaments and hackathons provide exciting opportunities for participation and growth.
The winners of this year’s GameOn Hackathon presented their projects at the HP Gaming Garage Lab to a committee of esteemed gaming, education and technology experts consisting of Dr. Omar Abdul Latif, Assistant Professor at RIT-Dubai, Girish Dhyani Chandra, Sales Lead for the Middle East market at AMD, Rishabh Khanna, Founder & Board Member of International Teachers University, USA, Salman Razzaq, Business Development Leader at HP, Maxim Komlev, HP HyperX and Nisreen AlKhateeb, Trade Compliance at HP who selected the big winners. The winning teams were awarded remarkable prizes and recognition for their cultural creations, alongside mentorship opportunities from HP experts.