An immersive GameExpo, a highlight of Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF 2024), will take place from May 3-5 at Dubai World Trade Centre, enabling visitors to engage in non-stop gaming action and tournaments, win new gaming gear, and even come away with some stardust as they get up close with regional and global gaming giants.

Tickets are now available with a 25% early bird discount for the event, where 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.

Families can bond over 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.

Adding to the excitement, a diverse schedule of activations including cosplay, esports tournaments, coding workshops, and Minecraft family challenges will keep fans buzzing throughout the three-day extravaganza.

Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF 2024), in its third edition, will take place until May 5, marking an epic celebration of gaming culture. Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the festival also features the GameExpo Summit (May 1-2).

GameExpo Summit

Powered by Pocket Gamer Connects, it 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 insightful talks, panels and seminars.

The ticketed event features a packed schedule of activities including the Publisher Speedmatch, Investor Connector, and the Big Indie Pitch, connecting industry professionals with one another.

Dubai Cosplay Championship

An exciting opportunity for all levels of cosplayers to join in this vibrant subculture of gaming. The Dubai Cosplay Championship will give creative gaming fans the chance to show off their inspiring costumes and performances of their favourite characters and be in with the chance of winning amazing 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 wow judges by getting into character.

Then on 4 May, 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.

At DWTC, gaming enthusiasts can watch their favourite gamers go head-to-head in the ultimate gaming showdown (May 4-5), as two teams of four gaming stars each battle it out in a thrilling live show of the best gaming talent. Adding to the excitement, fans with VIP tickets can also meet their gaming heroes in meet and greet sessions.

Educational Engagement

Inspiring the next generation of gaming professionals in the region, students can finetune their digital skills in the Microsoft MakeCode Competition and the Minecraft Education Challenge, which will culminate in a thrilling live tournament on May 1.

Talks by industry experts held in schools and universities will support aspiring young gamers in refining their skills and gaining insights about the industry, while in-school tournaments will offer an exciting opportunity for students to play popular titles such as Rocket League and Fortnite, with university students battling it out on EAFC 24 and Valorant. University students can visit gamecentric.io/def24 to register.

On May 1-2, 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. – TradeArabia News Service