ABU DHABI: Tawazun Council (Tawazun) and Bayanat, in collaboration with Endless Studios, announced the launch of the UAE Game Makers Competition 2024, marking a significant moment for the UAE’s educational landscape.

The nationwide contest invites young people to discover, display, and further develop their talent via game design, particularly emphasising the integration of the UAE cultural elements into their games, with a prize pool of AED100,000.

This initiative sets the stage for an endless learning journey that will enable UAE youngsters to master tomorrow’s digital skills using their enthusiasm for gaming.

By integrating gaming and geospatial technologies, Tawazun, Bayanat, and Endless Studios are united in their commitment to teaching employable skills across multiple disciplines, including art, design, engineering, management, and marketing, among others, all within the context of game design.

Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, CEO of Operations at Tawazun Council, highlighted Tawazun’s commitment to inspi
ring UAE youth to explore creative and technological fields, particularly game development. He emphasised the initiative’s role in advancing regional technology and fostering cultural pride by encouraging young people to draw from their rich heritage, thereby investing in future leaders and innovators.

Hasan Al Hosani, Managing Director of Bayanat, said that by creating gaming content that is engaging, educational, and culturally relevant, the initiative aims to bridge generations and preserve heritage while fostering technological progress.

Matt Dalio, CEO of Endless Studios, said that the competition is a significant milestone in this mission, blending Emirati cultural heritage with gaming to celebrate the past and shape a future where technology and tradition coexist. This competition, he added, goes beyond a typical contest by celebrating the exceptional talent in the UAE and nurturing young innovators.

Source: Emirates News Agency