The Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) is branching out into online gaming through a joint venture with Gazillion Entertainment, a California-based specialist in massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs), reports C21 Media. The venture is to co-develop the United Arab Emirates' first MMOG studio at a purpose-built facility.

The objective of the venture is to grow the indigenous gaming industry while also ensuring that local talent is employed in the country. Robert Hutter, CEO of Gazillion, added, "MMO games are an increasingly significant part of the media landscape worldwide."

Gazillion specializes in so-called "massively multiplayer" online games, which let thousands of players interact over the Internet simultaneously, explains Taiwan News. Online gaming is the fastest growing media sector worldwide, with revenues expected to increase from US$8 billion (Dh29.3bn) in 2008 to $14bn in 2012, according to Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

The joint venture will see several young Emiratis engage in creating content specifically for Arabic games, says Digital Productions Middle East. The students will be "given the opportunity to generate games content that is meaningful to the Arab world." Internship and employment schemes will begin in Abu Dhabi in 2010 with opportunities for training placements overseas at Gazillion offices.

The first game in Arabic slated to be released from the new studio is an MMOG based on the popular character 'Majid,' executive director of Digital Media Group at ADMC Ricky Ghai stated according to Digital Productions.

"Online gaming is the fastest growing media sector worldwide and is estimated to be worth US $13bn by 2013. ADMC is taking significant steps forward to scale up its market growth and capabilities by entering this joint venture," Ghai commented.

H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, chairman of ADMC, added that with the joint venture ADMC "is charting new growth in the creation of digital media content and technologies." He further expressed his hopes that the joint venture would eventually develop a path towards creating Arabic-language content for the Arab gaming market.

Students from Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in Abu Dhabi will benefit from employment opportunities and on-the-job internship programs at the junior college in Abu Dhabi, a direct result of the collaboration begun earlier this year between ADMC and HCT, reports AME Info.

Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, emphasized the importance of educating, training and developing young UAE nationals to lead this new and exciting industry. "The Higher Colleges of Technology commit to provide continuing professional development for all employees of Abu Dhabi Media Company as and when required," he said.

Despite the current economic downturn, the video game industry has been acknowledged as one of the key growth areas for the media sector, exploding home gaming entertainment into the mainstream, remarks AME Info.

In just the four years since its inception in 2005, Gazillion has developed powerful global gaming platforms with prestigious partners including Marvel and LEGO. A trend-savvy, youth-minded San Mateo, CA based studio, Gazillion has quickly earned a reputation for innovation, attracting an experienced management team and high quality talent.

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