The Middle East and North Africa hold some of the most promising emerging markets for games anywhere in the world, with the total value of the region set to hit $3.2 billion in 2016. It is also one of the fastest growing regions for smartphones, with penetration expected to hit nearly 40 per cent this year, yet, 50 per cent of smartphone users in the MENA region download and play games.
The region has witnessed increasing interest from big game developers and publishers looking to localize some of their most popular titles, to other global developers seeking to forge connections with local players.
With the purpose of accelerating this industry’s growth in the MENA Region, IFP is organizing the MENA Games Conference & Exhibition (MEGA 2016) on April 7 and 8 at Mar Mikhael Historical Train Station – Beirut, Lebanon. The Arab Game Jam Competition will be held on 5 & 6 April 2016.
Its first edition, MEGA 2015, the first of its kind to address the sector in the Middle East, was also held in Beirut on the 26th and 27th of March 2015. Last year’s edition gathered 500 international & regional digital gaming companies, developers and more than 40 speakers over two days. MEGA 2015 hosted the region’s known players, as well as international developers and publishers, all gathered to give a diagnosis on opportunities and challenges. The general consensus was that a synthesis within the industry, as well as an effort to bring the community together, is much needed.
MEGA 2016 offers a unique platform for regional and international players to explore business opportunities, especially in creating games with Arabic content, in what is widely regarded as a highly promising market.
The speaker list includes prominent voices from and outside the MENA region, including Jason Della Rocca (EXECUTION LABS, Canada), BRIE CODE (UBISOFT Canada), TOM CRAGO (TANTALUS, Australia), Magy Seif El-Nasr (Northeastern University, United States), TEUT WEIDEMANN (BLUEBYTE, Germany), SHO SATO (MEDIA CREATE, Japan), Amir-Esmaeil Bozorgzadeh (GAMEGUISE, Dubai). In addition, a world-class conference, MEGA 2016 will host more than 50 speakers who will discuss the future of gaming and IT in the region.
800 firms working in a variety of fields from game developing and publishing to infrastructure providing, financing and online advertising will give act de presence at the exhibition.
The speaker schedule also features some of the most prominent companies based in and serving the MENA region: UNITY, Apple, Microsoft, Paymentwall, Netmarble, T-Pay MENA, Blubyte/UBISOFT, Wargaming, DNA, Goodgame studios, King.com, Gamevil, Lucas art and many more.
For your inquiries, please contact Mr. Habib Chams: Tel: +961 5 959 111 Ext. 133
Fax: +961 5 955 361
Mobile: +961 76 704978
registration@menagames.com
habib.chams@menagames.com
ifpinfo
11 January
