New Shopper Games zone takes centre stage
DUBAI 27 September 2018: The Middle East’s gaming battle lines are being drawn and combat will commence next week at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) when Gitex Shopper debuts a five-day blitz of video gaming tournaments, experiences and promotional offers.
It is expected to attract hundreds of gaming enthusiasts from across the UAE and beyond.
The gaming industry, which amasses to more than 2.3 billion active gamers, continues to register significant growth year-on-year, according to latest research from Newzoo. The Global Games Market Report revealed that the entire games market will reach US$137.9 billion this year, an increase of 13.3 per cent. Revenues from console gaming is expected to increase by 4.1 per cent to $34.6bn in 2018, with a 1.6 per cent growth predicted in PC gaming to $32.9bn.
Gaming deals and competitions
Featuring the best available deals and promotions across online and console platforms, the dedicated Shopper Games Zone will features mini-tournaments daily from 2-6 October, where the region’s leading gamers will wage battle in games such as Fortnite, CS:GO, FIFA19 and Overwatch. Competitors can register for the tournaments on-site on battle days.
“With the Middle East having one of the world’s youngest populations where 25 per cent of the demographic profile is aged between 15-29, the gaming potential in the Emirates is huge,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, DWTC, which organises Gitex Shopper. “This age group represents a considerable chunk of the gaming consumer base, so the dedicated gaming zone that brings together the leading games and supporting technologies under one roof at unbeatable prices will attract considerable interest from across the region.”
A fully-fledged open tournament arena is being set up at Gitex Shopper with the games being fought out on PCs and, in the case of FIFA19 on PlayStations, with the action streamed onto big screens. Once the tournaments are over, spectators can also try their hands at the new Mario Kart and Just Dana 2018 games from dedicated PlayStation and X-Box console areas, in addition to discovering, and buying, the latest gaming devices and accessories from multiple vendors at the show.
Leading retailers will be providing various bundles and dedicated offerings that will appeal to the wider gaming community, whether interested in online and console games, or specifically crafted computers enhanced for gaming purposes.
Gitex Shopper Trade-in
The show’s organisers will initiate a ‘Trade-in’ concept that encourages visitors to recycle their unused electronics during an amnesty, which will reward them with vouchers to spend during the exhibition.
Xperience Zone Debut
Also debuting this year within the Xperience Zone is Shopper’s Unboxing Area, a dedicated zone for YouTube and tech fans to share their interest in watching the latest electronics being unpacked in live ‘Unboxing’ demos streamed directly from the show.
Making a guest appearance will be the award-winning content creator, YouTuber and Technologist, Emkwan, who has amassed almost 44,000 subscribers. This area will coincide with a number of new features curated to provide a heightened shopping experience for visitors, with interactive sessions and experts providing tips and tricks to purchasing and getting the most of the latest electronics on offer during the show.
Go Top Gun with Drones. Learn to fly a drone inside the Drone Zone. Whether a novice or expert, try your hand at piloting one of the latest drone releases before you buy.
Dates & Timings
Running 2-6 October, Gitex Shopper 2018 is open daily from 11am – 11pm. Tickets are priced at Dh20, a reduction on last year. Entry is free for children below the age of five. Creating even more convenience for visitors, Gitex Shopper 2018 is offering free parking at DWTC to those who spend more than Dh300 at the show.