The future of gaming isn’t a new Fortnite season. It’s a private island dedicated to e-sports.
True Gamers, a UAE-based e-sports network, has revealed plans to build the world’s first e-sports island in Abu Dhabi, Hypebeast reported. The groundbreaking project, which is estimated to cost a whopping US$280 million (HK$2.1 billion) will be worth US$1 billion (HK$7.8 billion) when it’s finished. Upon completion, the development will comprise a luxury resort, tournament venues, and training facilities.
According to a report by BCG, the Middle East continues to be a growing—and leading—market for gamers. In fact, over 60 per cent of the region’s population are gaming enthusiasts. At the same time, the Middle East has one of the highest shares of gaming mobile app downloads in the world.
“True Gamers conducted a comprehensive market analysis of the MENA region’s e-sports landscape and the global e-sports industry’s growth trajectory before developing plans for the e-sports island,” explained True Gamers CEO and co-founder Anton Vasilenko in a statement on his Instagram page. “This in-depth analysis gives us confidence that the proposed business model will be instrumental in bringing eSports Island to life.”
Per the proposal, the island will be positioned along the picturesque Al Raha beach in between the ritzy Al Bandar and Al Dana developments. On one side will be GG Resort, a 200-room hotel with gaming computers, a spa, and a swimming pool. In the middle will be GG Bootcamp, a professional training facility decked out with high-performance PCs, rest areas to relax or sleep in between sessions, and analytical tools to collect data. Next door will be TG Arena where tournaments, conferences, and exhibitions will be held. The arena will feature a streaming area for content creators and will be able to accommodate console and PC gamers. The island will also offer balanced nutrition programmes so that players won’t have to think twice about their diet.
“At True Gamers, our top priority is fostering a thriving e-sports culture,” Vlad Belyanin, CPO and co-founder of True Gamers said in a statement. “We constantly seek innovative trends and opportunities to elevate the gaming experience for everyone—from casual players to professional athletes. We’re grateful to the participating teams for their invaluable insights. We believe eSports Island will be a groundbreaking achievement in the entertainment industry, offering guests the perfect blend of relaxation and exceptional competitive gaming.”
