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UAE eSports: True Gamers announces $13.5mn investment in gaming centres
The company plans to invest $13.5 million for developing its gaming centers in the UAE alone over the next 4-5 months.
True Gamers, the leading global eSports company, is set to revolutionise the cyber games sector in the MENA region with a series of globally first project launches, creating a network of game lounges across the region and organising tournaments, envisaging multimillion-dollar investments.
The sports major also has plans to transform eSports for social good, with plans to develop its newly launched robot waiter dogs to be remotely controlled by people with disabilities.
“Over the next two years, we’ll be investing significantly in the future development and expansion of eSports lounges in the UAE and across the broader Middle East region. By the end of 2023, we plan to invest $13.5 million into developing our gaming centers in the UAE alone,” Anton Vasilenko, co-founder and CEO of True Games, told Arabian Business.
“We plan to launch an exclusive project in December 2023 that will significantly contribute to the gaming industry’s continued growth in the MENA market. While we can’t share specific details about the project investment, it will be impressive and revolutionary, with no comparable counterparts worldwide,” Vasilenko said.
Vasilenko’s revelations about the company’s plans for the region comes after it announced last week a partnership deal with Dubai-based Baz Station Interiors as part of its entry plans into the emirate.
The True Gamers chief executive, however, clarified that the company’s tie-up with Baz Station is limited to developing and producing interiors only.
Abu Dhabi next stop
Vasilenko said the company will be looking for opportunities to expand its gaming centers network to Abu Dhabi in the nearest future, after getting a firm toehold in Dubai.
“After opening six new eSports spaces in Dubai — including at prestigious locations such as Dubai Mall, Blue Waters, and Jumeirah Beach Residence – we will carefully assess the opportunities of expanding to other Emirates [in the UAE],” he said.
Vasilenko also revealed the company’s plans for organising its first tournaments in True Gamers clubs in Dubai this summer, along with the opening of new eSports lounges.
“It is planned that these tournaments will run simultaneously in various clubs, which will require an expansion of our network of eSports lounges,” he said, adding that the tournaments are part of its plans aimed to provide a unique gaming experience for both participants and viewers.
Massive expansion plans in MENA in the pipeline
Vasilenko also unveiled the company’s ambitious expansion plans in the larger Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region going forward.
“Our next target market is Saudi Arabia, where we have already taken the first steps by conducting marketing research and learning more about potential customers’ demands.
“There is also excellent potential for growth in the MENA, and we have plans to expand to other countries in the region in the coming years,” he said.
Vasilenko said the company is open to both the options of going with Baz Station Interiors or striking similar partnerships with local companies for its planned expansion in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.
“Yes, we may look at potential partners in Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. It is also highly probable that we will continue our partnership with Baz Station Interiors in this region; we are currently negotiating that,” the True Gamers top executive said.
eSports for social impact
Vasilenko said the company is also committed to positively impacting society through some of its cyber sports projects.
“Our unique robodogs waiters – [the company’s first global launch from Dubai] – are more than just a technical project; they’re a social one. Specifically, we have plans for these dogs to be remotely controlled by people with disabilities,” he said.
Vasilenko said the company is currently in talks with charities and other funds in the UAE to make this a reality.
Source: Arabian Business 17.07.2023
