DUBAI - The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), in strategic partnership with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has launched GameForward, a new accelerator programme designed to empower Emirati game developers and strengthen Dubai’s emerging game development ecosystem. The initiative addresses a significant market opportunity in the fast-growing global gaming industry, which was forecast to have hit US$188.8 billion (AED693.4 billion) in revenues in 2025, according to market intelligence firm Newzoo. GameForward will help Emirati developers turn ideas into commercially viable ventures, supporting Dubai’s efforts to build a resilient and diversified economy. It also aligns with the Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033, which seeks to elevate Dubai into the top 10 cities in the global gaming industry and generate 30,000 new jobs in the gaming sector. Open to individual Emirati developers and teams with at least one Emirati founder, GameForward supports aspiring creators with high potential and developers looking to scale existing projects.