Int'l gaming conference 'Pocket Gamer Connects' kicks off at Dead Sea

AMMAN — Pocket Gamer Connects, an international gaming conference held by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD), which falls within the 11th round of the Jordan Gaming Summit, kicked off on Saturday at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre.

The two-day gaming conference held at the shores of the Dead Sea featured the participation of 700 people interested in the gaming industry, including developers, workers and international companies, in partnership with British Steel Media Ltd., according to a statement from KAFD.

The event this year will bring over 100 speakers from around the world, to tap the knowledge and expertise of experts in mobile technologies, Android and iOS, computers, Blockchain Development Tools, Metaverse and XR.

During the opening ceremony, Noor Khrais, technical partner of the Jordanian Games Lab, highlighted the KAFD's efforts in support of the games industry sector since 2011 through the App Challenge Competition, targeting young people aged 14 to 16, in addition to training, development and logistical support (Jordan Games Lab) as well as providing financial support to individuals and companies, and networking with the prominent developers and experts.

Reviewing the achievements of the Jordanian Games Lab, Khrais said that more than 10,000 members of different ages have joined the lab, adding that seven laboratories equipped with the latest technology trends have been established in Amman, Irbid, Aqaba, Maan, Zarqa and Karak in addition to the Mobile Lab.

He also highlighted that Pocket Gamer Connects is hosted by the annual gaming summit, which was launched in 2011.

On the sidelines of the event, KAFD nominated Rasha Abu Shakhdam as the winner of the sixth edition of the King Abdullah II Award for Youth Innovation and Achievement. 

Former education minister Wajih Owais honoured Shakhdam, whose project "Martha for Education" eases deaf children's access to education. 

The winning project will receive JD50,000 for its development.

The King Abdullah II Award for Youth Innovation and Achievement has been awarded to 41 entrepreneurs from eight Arab countries, over its five editions, providing some 85,088 direct and indirect opportunities.

Owais also honoured the winners of the 2022 Challenge Competition, titled "Space", with Al Qadisiyah Secondary School for Boys in Madaba snatching first place in the Central Region for developing the Astro verse game, while Abdullah II School of Excellence in Mafraq won first place in the Northern Region for developing the Pestro's mission game, and Basira Secondary School for Girls in Tafileh took first place in the Southern Region for developing the Stare vehicle game.

The names of those who received support during the funding window dedicated to supporting game developers were announced, and included: Wood Reaper, Mars Adventures, Canada Kids and Manzel.

The gaming conference aims to keep the participants aware of new trends in the gaming industry, as well as enhance their capabilities in the fields of investment, product promotion, the use of various technologies and attracting users.