Knowledge Oasis (KOM), Oman’s newly-launched Technology Park will host e-Games, 2 – 3 May 2005, Muscat Inter-Continental Hotel, a two-day conference that according to Mohammed Al Ghassani, Director, KOM: “has been designed specifically to serve the needs of Middle East-based companies and professionals involved in producing interactive entertainment software and hardware for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers and the Internet.”
Experts estimate that today’s worldwide gaming market is valued at between US$30 and US$35 billion. To put those figures into context, the size of the gaming industry is now approaching the music industry, which is worth around US$38 billion and has already surpassed the motion picture industry in terms of box office revenue. In brief, gaming has emerged as a critical form of entertainment and leisure for the majority of 15 - 30 year-olds across the globe. A key supporter of e-Games is Graham Porter, Marketing Manager, MENA, Sun Technologies who said: “e-Games is an exciting initiative, and given the global developments in the gaming industry the timing of this event is ideal. The agenda is solid and so are the presenters, this is an important event for us. Stefan Niemiec, Sun’s MENA Business Development Manager for the telco industry will be delivering a workshop on Wireless Gaming.”
The packed two-day agenda will cover: the Handheld Market; Games and Popular Culture; Innovation and Game Development; Gaming in Education; Mobile, Wireless and Online Gaming; and IPR issues related to the region’s creative industry. “We’re delighted with the response that e-Games has received,” remarked Al Ghassani, adding: “it’s attracted excellent regional and international presenters, that include: Sun, Java, Macrospace (www.macrospace.com); Immersive Education (www.immersiveeducation.com); Gamelab London (http://www.nestafuturelab.org/events/past/design_challenge2_gamelab.htm); Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com); Infocomm Group (www.i-grp.com); Oman Mobile; Omantel; and Gamer.TV (www.gamer.tv).
Commenting on e-Games, Hani Jabseh, Founder and CEO of Al Bawaba and the event’s Official Portal Partner said: “As the Internet proliferates in the Middle East and since trends are now global, the need for online gaming will only increase. We strongly believe that this is the right time to get involved in this dynamic and potentially lucrative business which is why we have shown our commitment to e-Games”.
