Metacon is building a Web3 community in the UAE

Actively pushing reforms and policies in the field of digital technologies, the UAE has conducted Metacon, the two-day event held at The Arena, Dubai World Trade Centre. The event aimed to help the building of a fast-growing Web3 community in the UAE, exhibiting the abundant opportunities of the metaverse on May 27-28.

The UAE is known to be at the forefront of innovation and offers everyone a robust platform to explore metaverse opportunities in the fast-evolving Web3 community.

In 2021, the global metaverse market size was valued at $63.83 billion. According to Fortune Business Insights, it is projected to grow from $100.27 billion in 2022 to $1.52 trillion by 2029.

Actively pushing reforms and policies in the field of digital technologies, the UAE conducted Metacon, the two-day event held at The Arena, Dubai World Trade Centre, as Khaleej Times reported.

“I truly believe we have started something meaningful here at Metacon, the first-ever metaverse into reality pop culture event in this region. This gathering demonstrates that the UAE is truly progressing to becoming even more blockchain forward as we expand our conversations towards blockchain gaming and eSports, music and entertainment, NFTs, Web3, and more,” said Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni, a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council and the CEO of Dubai Blockchain Centre, in the welcome address.

“I am so pleased to see some of the most important names in the industry flying from different parts of the world to be with us at this convention, and a lot of local key players even more prepared to support our efforts towards creating mass awareness and understanding of this universe. I am equally impressed to see a lot of our young guests participate because, in order to advance our efforts, we need our youth to be ready for the technology too. Overall, these are steps in the right direction, and we can’t wait for this community to grow.”

Located in four zones – the MetaStage, MetaConnect, MetaArena, and MetaSpaces – Metacon was powered by Gala, founded by Zynga co-founder Eric Schiermeyer and Wright Thurston, one of the earliest crypto-mining pioneers.

Gala, the global leader of Web3 entertainment, brings a professional quality AAA gaming experience in a reward-based ecosystem. With two live games and well over a dozen Web3 games in development, Gala Games expects continued growth, setting the new standard for Web3 games.

Recently, Gala also launched its world of Web3 Music, Gala Music, to empower and uplift artists and fans, sharing rewards and making it possible for new emerging artists to be discovered and make a living on their own terms. Gala Music has already teamed up with Snoop Dogg, Kings of Leon, Steve Aoki, and several other well-known artists, who plan to release NFT albums in the Gala Music Ecosystem.

“Our purpose is clear, and that is to align every step that we take to the bigger vision of the UAE. So, at Metacon, the drive is not just to mount a future-proof event but to build a lasting community of creators, collectors, investors, experts, and enthusiasts who will support each other as we discover and understand even more this fast-evolving industry. You can expect more from us, and we invite you to be part of the movement,” said Abdelrahman Mohamed, the Metacon co-founder.

Metacon will be transforming its four zones, MetaStage, Metaconnect, MetaArena, and MetaSpaces, into quadrants of action and edutainment. While the MetaStage will host sessions and thought-provoking panel discussions tackling the most trending topics in the metaverse. The MetaStage will also be the site for the Metavator Challenge, a unique pitch competition and the first of its kind platform for innovators in the metaverse, NFT, gaming and web3. Organized by One&Only with the support of the Dubai Youth Council, the presentations will be held on the second day with prizes that cover Dh75,000 cash, NFTs, mentorship support, investor connect, and more.

Also, Metaconnect will hold more intimate workshops focused on practical and useful tips on kick-starting one’s blockchain journey. Some of the topics to look forward to include: Metaverse 101: An Introduction to the Metaverse; The Importance of Discord, Creating and Minting NFTs; How to move your business into the Metaverse; How to trade NFTs on key platforms; and How to move your business into the Metaverse.

Moreover, visitors looking to network directly with trailblazing entities and personalities can get up close and personal with them in an entire exhibition zone at MetaSpaces, which features: The biggest blockchain-based games like FOTA, Medabots, Town Star, and Spider Tanks, to name a few; The NFT Artists Alley, sponsored by Rakuza NFT Marketplace who will be bringing the first Manga and Anime NFT project that will be whitelisted and available exclusively at Metacon; The BAPES Lounge, the central hub and networking area at Metacon where entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs can network and learn more about how to utilize and leverage blockchain technologies; and an NFT Gallery curated by Ethereal Collective, who will be bringing artwork and collections from high-level artists including Etherium Towers and World of Women, a bluechip NFT.

Eventually, with the support of the Emirates Esports Federation, the MetaArena stage will see eight international guilds competing in the first-ever blockchain, multi-game esports tournament, featuring titles, such as Axie Infinity, Thetan Arena, and Spider Tank, with a total of $50,000 cash prize pool.

Other gaming titles include Fight Legends, Medabots, and Swift Blowout, which will have mini-community tournaments running on the MetaArena.