In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, there is one industry whose snowballing popularity is rapidly drawing attention: eSports. As detailed by gamesradar.com, it is a form of competition that uses video gaming as its medium and it is on the rise across the world. However, nowhere has its ascendancy been more meteoric in recent months than the United Arab Emirates.
Let's take a look at the factors driving this trend and what these might mean for the future.
A growing industry
Source: Pixabay
 As ardent gamers can attest, Dubai's eSports scene is already noteworthy, with an array of official competitions and internet cafe battles to keep players occupied. It's not unusual for prize pots to run into the tens of thousands, making this a lucrative pastime for those with a degree of skill in this field.
However, when it comes to its standing in the international arena, Dubai's esports sector is simply not in the same league with many of its western counterparts – a trend that's expected to change in the very near future.
That's because Dubai acts as a prime candidate for industry expansion, with many experts suggesting there is much room – and potential – for improvement. According to those in the know, some of this comes down to how the sector is currently marketed, and also how it should be marketed moving forward.
While many people are drawn by the promise that they can make it big as competitive gamers, the reality is that most of the employment opportunities associated with the industry are in behind-the-scenes roles – a fact that's rarely mentioned.
According to John Lacey, the founder of Power League Gaming, this does the sector a disservice, by failing to highlight the many genuine opportunities it creates – for example, for producers, designers, cameraman, and content creators. These, he believes, are where the industry's true value lies, and are a big part of why it should be encouraged and invested in by business leaders.
How the UAE can take center stage
Source: Pixabay
While the UAE is not yet a key player in the international esports industry, it arguably has the potential to be so with sufficient investment. Certainly, Mr. Lacey points out that many world-class players are residing in Dubai and its neighboring countries, with many of them carving out a name for themselves in what is an incredibly competitive space.
This is something that those with an interest in esports betting will already be aware of, with many domestic players available to bet on through sites like comeon.net, which charts matches and gives bettors the chance to put money on their favorites. With an enhanced focus on celebrating these individuals, there are a number of stars who could rapidly be elevated to the echelons of e-sporting heroes.
When asked what was needed to make this happen, Empire Entertainment's Serge Zabbal suggested that regional competition first needs to be encouraged and promoted. He stated that the best way to help players to improve and excel would thus be to create local leagues and platforms – ones that could provide invaluable training and finally put domestic gamers on a par with their international counterparts.
He concluded in his comments covered by timeoutdubai.com: “It's a chicken and egg situation. That is why it is taking time to create an ecosystem that will equip players with the tools to make it.”
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