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Inside UAE's gaming cafés where top players can win prizes worth thousands of dirhams
As the industry grows and tournaments in the country and teams establish themselves, the gaming cafe scene will likely expand
- PUBLISHED: Wed 8 Jan 2025, 6:00 AM UPDATED: Wed 8 Jan 2025, 9:05 PM
- By:
- Abdullah Al Tekreeti
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Gaming cafes, once dark, tech-dated spaces, have undergone a dramatic transformation into RGB-lit bustling hubs of social interaction, national tournaments, and training grounds for international champions.
Gamers who frequented the UAE's many gaming venues in the early 2010s could hardly have imagined the opportunities these spaces would offer today. While some tournaments offer thousands of dirhams in prizes, the upcoming Emirates Gaming League alone will feature a staggering Dh9-million prize pool.
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For those who aren't looking to compete, these cafes offer a unique blend of digital entertainment and real-world socialisation, providing an alternative to gaming at home.
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Melting pot of people
With its dark rooms lit with the bright neon lights of powerful PC rigs, Titan Gaming Cafe exemplifies the modern evolution of gaming spaces. Based in Sharjah, this gaming cafe has seen the beginnings of the UAE's esports scene.
Though still relatively young at just two and a half years old, Titan has already hosted over 75 esports tournaments, including two international ones. Notably, the UAE's Emirates Esports Federation trusted Titan to host the first-ever UAE Esports League.
Despite the growing popularity of esports, Hamad Al-Shamsi, co-founder of Titan, emphasises that gaming cafes and esports cater to different crowds. “Gaming cafes and esports are two different categories; those who come to play at the cafe on a daily basis are not the same as the people who come to compete in our arena,” he explained.
Al-Shamsi told Khaleej Times that esports have aided, rather then caused, the popularity of gaming cafes in the UAE.
The 35-year-old recounted his favourite memory at such a cafe 20 years ago when he met many of his current close friends while playing World of Warcraft. The co-founder said he believes people visit these cafes to gather with their friends and make memories like his.
This sentiment holds true across several cafes in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, where many players visit simply to relax with friends, rather than training for tournaments.
'A treat, not a habit'
Mohammed Munzir, a regular at Ajman gaming cafes, said that playing games at a cafe is a completely different experience from playing them at home.
The 22-year-old said that he visits one of his regular spots whenever he feels that he needs to unwind. Instead of getting a console at home, he said visiting a cafe gives him a “stress-free environment where you can fully focus on the game without any distractions".
He believes the rising number of cafes in Ajman is driven by young people who want to "bond with friends while enjoying a shared activity." While not quite 'third spaces', these cafes are relatively affordable for most people and regularly offer food and high-speed internet, making them convenient for longer visits.
Munzir said these cafes have unintended positive consequences for students like himself. Instead of playing games at home, he and his friends only do so at these designated spots. By doing this, he said that gaming is no longer a habit for them but a treat after a stressful exam period or prolonged studying sessions.
“I think gaming is better as an occasional escape, not something that takes over your reality. By keeping gaming outside the home, like at a cafe, it remains a treat rather than a daily habit,” he said.
'Not a reliable business model'
Despite the apparent success within interested circles, not everyone is convinced by the long-term viability of gaming cafes. Deena Stevens, an avid gamer and filmmaker, is sceptical about the future of these businesses. She believes times have changed too much for these businesses to survive.
Stevens, whose early years were marked by frequent visits to gaming cafes with her allowance money, doesn't believe these cafes are making a comeback. Although she still visits some cafes to catch up with old friends, she said people have found too much comfort in their custom PC setups at home.
An esports fan herself, the filmmaker said that these cafes still need a lot of work. “Gaming centres could put more effort into organising esports tournaments with a variety of games and cultivate an environment that welcomes both genders,” she said.
Even as many cafes modernise, Stevens told Khaleej Times that “some of the venues I've been to are very outdated and limiting."
While competitive and casual gaming has been a mainstay in the UAE's youth culture, it's just picked up speed in recent years. The Emirate Esports Federation was only recognised by the Global Esports Federation in 2021, during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
As the industry grows and UAE-based tournaments and teams establish themselves, the gaming cafe scene will likely expand. With millions on the line, gaming cafes have the potential to move away from their dingy beginnings and into the mainstream.
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