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twofour54 Abu Dhabi and Unity Creating Gaming ‘Centre of Excellence’

10-year partnership will build regional gaming hub for industry offering a training and entrepreneurial platform for cultivating talent and launching new careers throughout Middle East and Africa.

twofour54 Abu Dhabi has announced a landmark 10-year partnership with Unity Technologies to establish a Centre of Excellence to provide the game development industry with unparalleled on-the-ground support for students, professionals and small businesses throughout the Middle East and Africa. Together, the companies will develop a physical state-of-the-art gaming hub where local start-ups and students can learn the skills needed to succeed in the gaming industry. The training initiative will sit alongside a competitive subsidy package for developers.

“This partnership with Unity demonstrates our shared and committed vision to establish Abu Dhabi as the leading gaming hub in the region,” remarked twofour54 chairman, H.E. Mohammed Al Mubarak. “As one of the largest, most innovative, and highly regarded companies in the gaming industry, Unity is at the forefront of the technology curve. I join the Abu Dhabi Leadership in welcoming them to Abu Dhabi to establish their Middle East and Africa regional headquarters. Their commitment to the region will accelerate the Emirate’s gaming industry growth and deliver on the ground exactly what game developers need to succeed.”

The Centre of Excellence will be home to game development companies of all sizes who will benefit from the technical and business support services provided by Unity. In addition to game creation services, business development support and academic training, it will serve as the catalyst for academia in the UAE as the training and entrepreneurial platform for cultivating talent and launching new careers.

“Working together with twofour54 to support the growth of Abu Dhabi’s gaming industry is a natural fit for Unity as it builds on our principal of enabling success,” commented Unity Technologies senior VP and general manager, Dave Rhodes. “The initiatives we’re bringing to the table through this partnership will exponentially enhance Abu Dhabi’s offering across the industry value chain, from hands-on academic training to business development and game developer support. The most exciting and long-lasting impact will be our work to create sustainable job opportunities in the local sector and, in tandem, develop professionals with the skills to take on those opportunities.”

“Unity’s arrival is a game changer for the industry,” added twofour54 director of gaming and strategic development, James Hartt. “The strategic partnership will deliver the areas that are essential for industry growth, such as talent development and game building technical support. This will help give gaming businesses located in Abu Dhabi the competitive advantage they need to be even more successful in this growing industry. The Unity academic program will ensure a constant supply of skilled, trained and Unity-certified individuals are entering the industry to match the increased demand that will be driven by Abu Dhabi’s committed subsidy program for game development businesses.”

Source: twofour54