DUBAI // It is a golden age to be a geek.
More than 20,000 people attended the Games 15 consumer video game show at Dubai Marina, a three-day exhibition that ended on Saturday.
It provided the perfect indulgence for gaming fans eager to see what treats were in store in the coming months.
As an added bonus, top professional teams were on hand competing in the region for the first time.
Global teams from the Electronic Sports League met in head-to-head clashes of Counter Strike: Ghost Operative, competing for US$250,000 (Dh918,187) in prize money.
Visitors were also shown how to mix tunes like a superstar DJ or play guitar in a rock band – all through the latest home gaming technology – and were given previews and demonstrations of some of the most anticipated games for PlayStation, X-Box and PC.
The event organisers, who also brought Film and Comic Con to the Middle East, said Dubai was well placed to play a long-term role in the growth of the ESL.
“We have had a lot of support from Dubai tourism, so they have seen the wider potential in the gaming industry,” said Arafaat Ali Khan, PR director for Middle East Film and Comic Con.
“It has once again put Dubai on the world stage and opened up the region to another demographic who may not have considered visiting before.”
He said future events would create another level for developers and people who wanted to make a living out of gaming.
“We have developed a platform for talent in Comic Con and want to do that with the gaming industry and develop it,” Mr Khan said.
“Before if you played games kids would be stuck in their bedrooms. These programmers are now role models that kids can look up to.”
An estimated 300,000 were thought to have watched Friday’s Games 15: Middle East semi-final clash between Swedish team Ninjas In Pyjamas and TSM from Denmark via the Twitch live online streaming service. The final was played out last night between Polish team Virtus-Pro and TSM.
“You think you are good and then you watch these guys play in front of millions online and realise they are on another level,” said Mohammad Al Shanabla, 24, who lives in Mirdif.
“The prize money is insane. It makes me wish I had spent more time playing these games.”
One of the most anticipated games on show was Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, which is scheduled for release on November 6.
Rami Afifi, 31, from Palestine who lives in Dubai Marina, queued for an hour to try it out.
“There are so many games developers here, it shows you can make a good career now in the industry,” he said.
Jumeirah resident Gemila Bashir was visiting with his children Bashir, 6, and Tarek, 4. “The boys are big fans of Skylanders and WWE,” she said. “I try to limit the time they spend on computers at home but it is difficult. They love playing games, and they play them together so they are sociable with it.”
For the finale yesterday, the organisers hosted a special music event, Video Games Live.
The concert featured music from the most popular video games of all time.
Orchestras and choirs performed along with video footage and music arrangements, synchronised lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action and unique interactive segments.
nwebster@thenational.ae
