Dubai Puts 10 Unreleased Local Games in Front of Players at First Playtest Night

The commission described the event as the first in a planned series aimed at giving locally developed games greater visibility and encouraging collaboration between developers and players.

The games ranged from university projects to titles developed for festivals. Several drew on Arab culture and folklore or were set in the UAE. Developers watched how players engaged with their games to find areas for improvement and to get a player's view of gameplay and design.

Faisal Kazim, Games Commissioner at the commission, said its strategy to strengthen Dubai's position as a global hub for gaming "places strong emphasis on nurturing local innovation and creating opportunities for industry growth." He said the event supports that strategy "by raising the profile of local developers and fostering closer engagement between creators and players."

"The enthusiastic response to the first Dubai Playtest Night reinforces our commitment to creating platforms that connect the gaming community, support homegrown studios and contribute to the long-term growth of the industry," Kazim said.

Maryam Lootah, Executive, Talent Development at the commission, said developing the next generation of game creators was an important part of building a sustainable talent base for Dubai's gaming industry. "Initiatives such as Dubai Playtest Night give developers valuable feedback directly from gamers, helping them refine and improve their games during development," she said.

Developers and players who took part welcomed the initiative and the Dubai Media Council's support for the gaming sector. They also pointed to the industry's growth potential and its role in bringing Arab culture and heritage to global audiences.

The event is part of the commission's work to support the gaming sector, in line with the Dubai Media Council's plans to develop Dubai as a global gaming hub.