HP announced the winners of this year’s GameOn with HP Gaming Garage hackathon at an event that took place at the HP Gaming Garage Lab at Rochester University in Dubai.
Part of HP’s commitment to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people globally by 2030, the GameOn with HP Gaming Garage hackathon fosters creativity and innovation among aspiring game developers between the ages of 13-18 in the UAE.
This years hackathon concluded last week with Dubai Gem Private School, GEMS Wellington Academy School -Silicon Oasis, GEMS Founders School, Barsha selected as the big winners for their Golden Horizons, Circle Quest and Code Crusaders Game projects respectively.
“As the Online Games market in the United Arab Emirates thrives, HP remains dedicated to building talent and innovation through initiatives like the HP Gaming Garage. With the UAE market projected to reach a revenue of US$50.60 million in 2024 and an anticipated user base of 1.3 million by 2027, the UAE’s emergence as a gaming hub highlights the importance of empowering the next generation of gamers and developers” said Peter Oganesean, Managing Director Middle East and East Africa, HP.
Empowering learners for future success
The HP Gaming Garage initiative is designed to inspire and empower students across the globe to develop the skills required for success in the gaming and esports sectors. With backing from HP, this initiative offers an online Gaming Garage education course platform available in various languages, including English and Arabic. Registering in the free courses offered in Game Development and Esports Management that are available via the HP Gaming Garage curriculum, individuals have the opportunity to enhance their abilities and flourish in the digital landscape.
GameOn for creativity
One of this year’s highlights of the HP Gaming Garage initiative is the GameOn hackathon, providing students in the UAE with the possibility to apply their skills and creativity to highlight, celebrate and thereby preserve culture with the guidance of experienced mentors. Students between 13-18 years old that completed 70% of at least one of the HP Gaming Garage courses were presented with the opportunity to participate in this year’s hackathon, which kicked off on March 29th, 2024. The goal is for the participating teams to cultivate their own gaming concepts and ideas, infusing them with cultural diversity and richness.
“Gaming has become a powerful trend, with the younger generation seeking connection and bonding through gameplay, fostering relationships in new and innovative ways. We believe that the GameOn with HP Gaming Garage hackathon offers students a unique opportunity to showcase their technical skills while exploring and celebrating their cultural heritage through the immersive medium of gaming,” said Lavina Punjabi, Sustainability Lead Middle East and Africa, HP.
In collaboration with AMD, HP launched the HP Gaming Garage Lab at Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai in February 2021. Serving as a hub for gaming and esports enthusiasts, the Lab provides students with state-of-the-art gaming equipment and access to industry leaders, fostering skill development and networking opportunities. Equipped with cutting-edge PCs, monitors and peripherals, students are welcome to use the facility to study and create while curated programs and industry encounter sessions offer valuable insights and connections, and competitions like online gaming tournaments and hackathons provide exciting opportunities for participation and growth.
The winners of this year’s GameOn Hackathon presented their projects at the HP Gaming Garage Lab to a committee of esteemed gaming, education and technology experts consisting of Dr. Omar Abdul Latif, Assistant Professor at RIT-Dubai, Girish Dhyani Chandra, Sales Lead for the Middle East market at AMD, Rishabh Khanna, Founder and Board Member of International Teachers University, USA, Salman Razzaq, Business Development Leader at HP, Maxim Komlev, HP HyperX and Nisreen AlKhateeb, Trade Compliance at HP who selected the big winners. The winning teams were awarded remarkable prizes and recognition for their cultural creations, alongside mentorship opportunities from HP experts.
