50 innovators take part in Arab Youth Hackathon
- Last updated: January 21, 2026 | 10:27 ..
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
As part of its ongoing efforts to empower Arab youth and open new professional and economic pathways within the creative and digital industries, the Arab Youth Center has launched the intensive applied phase of the Arab Youth Hackathon – Gaming Edition. This phase of the programme is hosted at the headquarters of AD Gaming, with the participation of 50 young men and women from 10 Arab countries.
This phase represents a pivotal milestone within a fully integrated, three-month applied training programme designed to replicate the working environment of global game development studios.
Participants have been divided into four multidisciplinary teams operating as independent studios, bringing together developers, designers, artists, and narrative writers in a realistic, hands-on experience that mirrors the professional game production cycle from initial concept through to final product.
The programme culminates in the selection of the winning team, recognized as the hackathon’s best project and concept.
The programme will conclude with a final showcase held during the World Government Summit, taking place in Dubai from 3 to 5 February 2026. During the Summit, the four competing teams will present their games as fully developed original projects, supported by cinematic trailers and live gameplay demonstrations.
The presentations will be delivered as part of the Arab Youth Centre’s participation in the Summit, coinciding with the Arab Meeting for Young Leaders, and will be showcased before a global audience of decision-makers, investors, and leaders in the gaming industry. This exposure creates broad opportunities for partnerships, commercial development, and future professional pathways for participants, while reflecting the programme’s vision of transforming Arab creativity into competitive digital products capable of succeeding on the global stage.
Dr. Sultan Bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth and Vice Chairman of the Arab Youth Center, affirmed that the Arab Youth Hackathon – Gaming Edition represents an advanced Arab model for preparing game developers. He noted that Arab identity — with its rich stories, symbols, history, and diverse environments— offers a powerful foundation for storytelling and digital world-building.