E-gaming is experiencing a global surge in popularity, and the Middle East, including Jordan, is no exception. In 2023, $22 million was invested in this growing sector in the region, with projections estimating an increase to $38 million within the next five years. In line with this trend, Jordan has launched the Jordanian Strategy for E-Gaming and E-Sports 2023-2027, aiming to boost the contribution of electronic games to the GDP by 1%. Supporting this initiative, Orange Jordan sponsored the “Yarmouk University Computer Games Competition” to enhance university students’ skills in electronic game design.
The competition was held on July 25th in the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science laboratories at Yarmouk University. Teams of 2 to 4 members from various Jordanian universities competed to design games addressing environmental and community service issues, alongside entertaining themes.
The development of electronic games brings significant benefits. Nationally, it contributes to economic growth and job creation. Personally, it enhances participants’ thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling them to contribute more effectively to national development. This first-of-its-kind competition at Yarmouk University aimed to motivate students to utilize their creative skills in e-gaming design, keeping pace with the rapidly growing sector and maximizing its benefits.
Orange Jordan highlighted that e-gaming has evolved beyond mere entertainment to become a crucial component of economic growth. It attracts talent, addresses unemployment, and enables both females and males to unleash their creativity. Supporting this competition aligns perfectly with the Jordanian Strategy for E-Gaming, which aims to create 3,000 jobs within the next five years, establish four gaming training centers, and attract investments from five international companies, alongside supporting 20 startups and SMEs.
Orange Jordan congratulated the competition winners, whose prizes were added to their Orange Money wallets. The winners included the Junior Bird team from the Applied Science Private University (first place), the Cat Journey team from the Jordan University of Science and Technology (second place), and the Dead Dirt team from the University of Science and Technology (third place).
Yarmouk University expressed its appreciation for the competition’s positive reception in its inaugural edition, reflecting nationwide support for the e-gaming sector. The university valued Orange Jordan’s support and its continuous presence at national events, which drive success and advancements across various sectors.
The International Esports Federation, established in South Korea in 2008, now includes 109 member countries, including Jordan. Jordan is making strides to position itself on the global esports map, notably through the organization of the Esports Future Summit, the first of its kind in the Arab world, held last April. Local competitions like Yarmouk’s contribute significantly to these national efforts.
