As part of an integrated approach to expanding its global digital presence and brand portfolio, Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC), announced on 4 August its plans to create the region’s first Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG) Studio with Gazillion Entertainment.
The purpose-built, world-class facility will be based in Abu Dhabi, as part of the first Joint Venture with US based Gazillion Entertainment in the gaming sector for the region. Online gaming is the fastest growing media sector worldwide with turnover estimated to reach US$13bn by 2013.
The new company aims through its studio to be an incubator for the young talent in Abu Dhabi by creating employment in the technology sector as well as to be at the fore front of Arabic gaming.
“Riding on the global trends in the media marketplace, Abu Dhabi has leveraged its excellent infrastructure, talent and resources, to form a solid foundation for developing a thriving media industry. Today, with the joint venture with Gazillion our company is charting new growth in the creation of digital media content and technologies, which champions Abu Dhabi’s sustainable development vision and transformation into a global digital media hub,” said H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of ADMC.
In the 50:50 JV agreement with Gazillion Entertainment, a major U.S. developer and publisher of MMOGs, ADMC has created a way to ensure the region’s local talent will have an opportunity to learn skills from the forefront of the US gaming entertainment experts. It is a measure of ADMC’s commitment to developing world-class facilities and providing a robust talent development framework for Emiratis
With an expressed aim towards Emirati management of the new company within the next five years, the JV is intended to develop the path towards creating content in Arabic for the Arabic gaming market.
