Dubai: Throughout Ramadan, prizes of up to Dh20,000 are up for grabs in the GameCentric Ramadan League in Dubai, which will involve over 6,000 gamers in tournaments held online. Enthusiasts will be up against fellow gaming talents as well as influencers in the tournament, which will culminate in live finals.
In the final competition of Ramadan, set for April 11 to 14, gamers will join a game of League of Legends in a competition with combined prizes worth Dh6,000.
The League come before the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF 2024) from April 19 to May 5 that will see events happening across the city. The Festival, in its third edition, is organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE).
GameExpo
Tickets are now available with a 25 per cent early bird discount for the immersive GameExpo, a highlight of the Festival, taking place from May 3 to 5 at Dubai World Trade Centre, in Zabeel Halls 5 and 6.
Fans can also look forward to a showcase of gaming pop culture at The Narrows, where a selection of up-and-coming and experienced Middle East artists will present their most recent works across a range of media, take guest commissions, and connect with other artists and fans.
There will be gaming match-ups at the all-new Family Zone, while the Electric Avenue features specialised electronics retailers showcasing the latest gaming gear, and the Gaming District unveils the latest cutting-edge game releases and previews.
A diverse schedule of activations including cosplay, esports tournaments, coding workshops, and Minecraft family challenges are part of the three-day line up.
GameExpo Summit
On May 1 and 2, the GameExpo Summit will gather more than 1,800 industry professionals and brands from around the world including publishers, developers, service providers and investors who will share their expertise in a schedule of talks, panels and seminars. Taking place in Zabeel Hall 4 at DWTC, this ticketed event features a schedule of activities including the Publisher Speedmatch, Investor Connector, and the Big Indie Pitch, connecting industry professionals with one another.
Best costumes
The Dubai Cosplay Championship will give gaming fans the chance to show off their costumes and performances of their favourite characters and have a chance of winning prizes. On May 3, cosplayers in attendance can show off their creations in the cosplay catwalk where they will be given just three seconds to impress judges by getting into character. Then on May 4, cosplayers will compete to be crowned the Dubai Cosplay Championship winners. One individual or group will be chosen from each of the three categories: Kids, Craft and Performance.
Play Beyond
On May 4 and 5 at DWTC, enthusiasts can watch gamers go head-to-head in the gaming showdown, as two teams of four gaming stars each battle it out in a live show of the best gaming talent. Fans with VIP tickets can also meet their gaming heroes in meet and greet sessions.
UAE PC Cafe Master Cup 2024
Gamers can also join the UAE PC Cafe Master Cup 2024, in which eight cafes across the city will host exciting tournaments with a total prize pool of Dh15,000. A new event for 2024, PC Cafe goers will compete in 5v5 Valorant qualifiers in venues across Dubai. Qualified teams will then represent their respective cafes in a final clash to be named Dubai’s best PC cafe.
On April 26, the DEF Gamers Day will offer students and staff the chance to show off their creativity by dressing up as their favourite gaming characters at school. On May 1 and 2, dedicated school days will provide students a first-hand experience at GameExpo, where they can engage with interactive exhibits, gaming showcases, live tournament finals and more. The DEF Education Programme is offered free to all registered schools and universities.
