Amin Abbas

The Abu Dhabi Gaming brought the heat to Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) 2025, which was held from 18 to 20 of April at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi.

The broader Gaming District experience that featured VR battles, horror houses inspired by Little Nightmares, retro arcades, racing simulators, and indie showcases, were all part of an immersive multi-zone layout that catered to every type of fan.

This year’s expanded layout also offered a larger esports zone, a high-energy main stage, and more free-to-play content than ever before.

Marcos Muller Habig, Abu Dhabi Gaming Director said exclusively to Arab News Japan about their participation at the event.

“At MEFCC this year, we took things to the next level with a fully dedicated gaming zone – the Abu Dhabi Gaming District. This was a space designed to bring together fans, creators and developers. It was all about connection.

“From showcasing homegrown talent and studios to hosting interactive experiences and competitions – including the Tekken 8 Nations Cup – the goal was to let people feel the momentum that gaming is building in Abu Dhabi. And honestly, the energy from the crowd told us we’re heading in the right direction.

“Being at events like MEFCC is crucial for us. It’s a chance to meet the community face-to-face, hear from them and show them what’s possible.

“For many, gaming is still seen as just a hobby – we want to shift that perspective and spotlight the career paths, creativity and innovation the industry offers. It’s also an opportunity to show that Abu Dhabi is serious about becoming a regional leader and global hub in this space,” he added.

Habig mentioned that Abu Dhabi Gaming’s mission is to build a sustainable, talent-driven ecosystem that supports everything from indie developers to global studios. “We’ve grown the number of companies in our network to well over 100, with dozens joining in just the past six months alone,” Habig said. “We’re not just investing in infrastructure – we’re investing in people. In the last year, we’ve helped create more than 150 jobs, placed dozens of interns across the industry and supported talent through initiatives like CTRL Game Jam and Global Game Jam. Whether it’s through education, incubation programs, or international partnerships, our focus is on creating long-term value. Ultimately, we want the region to be known not just as a market for games, but as a place where games are made”.

“Our vision is to build an ecosystem that thrives on its own – one that doesn’t rely solely on us, but is self-sustaining. We’re investing heavily in talent development, from formal education programs to more agile upskilling opportunities. The idea is to make Abu Dhabi a place where creatives, developers and tech talent can build lifelong careers in gaming. We’re also working to create more opportunities for regional stories to be told through games – stories that reflect the culture and richness of the Arab world,” he added.

Following MEFCC 2025, Abu Dhabi Gaming is participating at BRED Abu Dhabi 2025 with the return of their Electra Zone. “Think retro meets next-gen – from ‘90s arcade throwbacks and VR gameplay to local game showcases and interactive experiences,” Habig said.

“It’s not just about playing games; it’s about celebrating the culture around them. And that is just the start – we have a really busy calendar in 2025 already, with loads of exciting things still to come in the gaming space. We can’t wait to share more information about all the work we’re doing, and the things we have planned, in the weeks and months to come”.