// GAME DEVELOPMENT IN QATAR
Learn. Create. Connect. Showcase. Grow.
Game development sits where technology, creativity, storytelling, art, design and business meet. It is one of the few industries where a programmer, an illustrator, a writer, a composer and a producer all work on the same product.
This page is a practical, independent guide to understanding the games industry and finding real pathways into it from Qatar — where to study, where to learn online, which communities and game jams exist, where to showcase a game, and which organisations can support a studio as it grows.
- Learn
- Create
- Connect
- Showcase
- Grow
- Launch
Gaming Is a Global Industry
Video games are not simply entertainment products. Around every released title there is an industry of engineering, design, art, audio, production, publishing, marketing, platforms, distribution, investment and intellectual property.
Understanding that structure matters: most people who work in games are not making the whole game themselves — they are specialists inside a much larger system.
Bigger than film and music — combined
Annual global revenue by entertainment sector, in US$ billions.
- Video games · 2025$188.8B
- Cinema box office · 2024$30B
- Recorded music · 2024$29.6B
Games generate roughly three times the revenue of global cinema and recorded music put together.
Global games revenue by platform (2025)
Where the money in games actually comes from.
- Mobile$103B
- Console$45.9B
- PC$39.9B
Source: Newzoo — Global Games Market Report 2025 (platform estimates)(opens in a new tab)
Only figures we can attribute to a named source are published here. Where verified historical data is not available, we leave the chart out rather than estimate it.
From Idea to Player
Most games follow a recognisable production path. Select a stage to see what happens in it.
Idea
A concept, a fantasy, a mechanic or a question worth exploring. The cheapest stage to change your mind.
A concept, a fantasy, a mechanic or a question worth exploring. The cheapest stage to change your mind.
You Don't Have to Be a Programmer
Game development is multidisciplinary. Studios need engineers, but they equally need designers, artists, animators, writers, audio specialists, producers, QA, marketers and business people.
Which path interests you?
Technology
- Gameplay Programmer
- Engine Programmer
- AI Programmer
- Network Programmer
- Tools Developer
- Technical Artist
Creative
- Game Designer
- Level Designer
- Narrative Designer
- 2D Artist
- 3D Artist
- Animator
- VFX Artist
- UI/UX Designer
- Sound Designer
- Composer
Production & Business
- Producer
- Project Manager
- QA
- Community Manager
- Marketing
- Business Development
- Publishing
- Product Management
Potential monthly salaries in Qatar
Indicative gross monthly packages for game roles in Qatar. Actual offers vary by studio, scope, portfolio and experience.
- Junior / Entry Game DeveloperQAR 6,000 – 10,000
- Game Developer / Technical Artist / DesignerQAR 10,000 – 18,000
- Senior / Specialised DeveloperQAR 18,000 – 25,000+
- Lead / Technical Lead / Highly SpecialisedQAR 25,000 – 35,000+
Ranges are indicative market guidance, not a published salary survey.
Learn Game Development
Everything below links to official documentation or learning platforms from the tool makers themselves. Free, current, and maintained by the people who build the software.
Game Engines
Pick one engine and finish something small in it before switching.
- Unity Learn(opens in a new tab)Official free courses and projects
- Unreal Engine Learning(opens in a new tab)Official Epic courses
- Godot Documentation(opens in a new tab)Official docs and step-by-step tutorials
Programming
Fundamentals transfer between engines — logic first, syntax second.
Art & Animation
Start with silhouettes, readability and consistency — not detail.
Game Design
Design is testable: prototype the mechanic, watch someone play, iterate.
Audio
Sound carries a huge amount of a game's feel and feedback.
Business
Publishing, monetisation and IP decide whether a good game finds players.
Study Game Development in Qatar
Some institutions in Qatar offer a dedicated game development degree; others offer related computing, media or design programs with game-relevant courses. The difference matters when you choose where to apply, so it is labelled clearly on every card.
City University Qatar (Ulster University programmes)
BSc (Hons) Game Design and Development
Information may change. Always verify current admissions requirements and program details directly with the institution.
Learn by Building
Alongside its own game projects, COREGAME runs hands-on game development workshops in Qatar where participants build and ship a small playable project rather than only watching tutorials.
Game Development Workshop — Ages 13–17
Session counts, partners, participant projects and outcomes are published per cohort once confirmed. Delivered in collaboration with partners where applicable.
Game Development Workshop — Ages 18–30
Session counts, partners, participant projects and outcomes are published per cohort once confirmed. Delivered in collaboration with partners where applicable.
Build Something. Test Yourself.
A game jam is a time-limited event where developers, artists, designers and creators work individually or in teams to build a playable game around a theme or challenge. Jams are the fastest way to finish your first game and meet collaborators.
Global Game Jam — Qatar site
- Organizer
- Global Game Jam (local host varies)
- Location
- Doha, Qatar (when a site is registered)
- Eligibility
- Open to all skill levels
- Format
- Teams or solo, 48 hours
JaminQ
- Organizer
- Community-organised
- Location
- Qatar
- Eligibility
- To be confirmed by the organiser
- Format
- Time-limited jam
Geekend Game Jam
- Organizer
- Geekend / community partners
- Location
- Doha, Qatar
- Eligibility
- To be confirmed by the organiser
- Format
- Time-limited jam at the event
University game jams
- Organizer
- Student clubs and faculties
- Location
- Campuses across Qatar
- Eligibility
- Usually students, sometimes open
- Format
- 24–48 hours
Registration windows change frequently. No jam is marked open here unless current registration has been verified with the organiser.
Find Your Community
Making games gets dramatically easier when you are around other developers, artists, designers and players. Communities are where you find teammates, feedback, playtesters and your first opportunities.
Geekdom Qatar
Gaming, pop culture and creator community
Platform: Events / Web
For: Players, creators, developers
Global Game Jam community
Game jams and local jam sites
Platform: Web
For: Developers, students, first-timers
Unity Discussions
Engine help, showcase and jobs
Platform: Web forum
For: Unity developers at any level
Unreal Engine Community
Learning, forums and events
Platform: Web
For: Unreal developers
Blender Artists
3D art, animation and feedback
Platform: Web forum
For: Artists and animators
University clubs (QU, CUC, UDST, Lusail)
Student game, CS and creative clubs
Platform: On campus
For: Students
Know a game development community in Qatar?
We will verify it and add it to this directory.
Put Your Game in Front of Players
Showing your game to strangers is uncomfortable and extremely useful. It gives you real player feedback, visibility, networking, publisher discovery, testing data, community and press exposure — things no amount of solo development can produce.
Geekdom — GameDev Zone
- Location
- Doha, Qatar
- Audience
- Players, families, creators, industry guests
- Best for
- Playtesting prototypes with real players
- Participation
- Apply through the event organiser when applications open
Geekend
- Location
- Doha, Qatar
- Audience
- Gaming and pop-culture community
- Best for
- Visibility and community feedback
- Participation
- Contact the organiser for developer participation
University exhibitions
- Location
- Campuses across Qatar
- Audience
- Students, faculty, invited industry
- Best for
- Student projects and graduation showcases
- Participation
- Through your department or student club
Technology & creative events
- Location
- Qatar
- Audience
- Tech, startup and creative sectors
- Best for
- Networking beyond the games audience
- Participation
- Varies by event — check official channels
Turn an Idea Into Something Bigger
Different organisations support studios in different ways — some help you start, some help you grow, some provide funding, and some open doors to markets. Filter by the kind of support you need.
Media City Qatar
Creative economy / media & gaming ecosystem
- Creative industry development
- Ecosystem and partnerships
- Licensing and setup support
- International exposure
Scale7
Creative industries incubator / accelerator
- Incubation and acceleration
- Mentorship
- Business development
- Investment readiness
- Creative entrepreneurship
Qatar Development Bank
Entrepreneurship / funding / business support
- Startup financing programs
- Advisory and capacity building
- Export and market access
Qatar Science & Technology Park
Technology / innovation / startup support
- Incubation and acceleration
- Technology entrepreneurship
- Mentorship
- Prototyping and R&D
- Startup ecosystem
Eligibility, funding and program availability vary and change over time. Always review the organisation's current official requirements. Listing here does not imply guaranteed funding or acceptance.
Take Your Game Further
These words get used interchangeably, but they mean very different things for your ownership and obligations.
Incubator
Helps you develop the company or project from an early stage — space, structure, mentorship.
Accelerator
Helps an existing project or company grow faster over a fixed program period.
Investor
Invests capital in exchange for equity or another financial return.
Publisher
May provide funding, marketing, distribution or production support in exchange for negotiated commercial rights or revenue share.
Platform program
Support offered by platform holders or ecosystem partners, often including tools, funding or visibility.
PlayStation MENA Hero Project
Platform / game development support program
A PlayStation initiative supporting selected game developers from the Middle East and North Africa with development support and visibility. Review the official page for current eligibility and application status.
Funding Your Game
There is no single route. Most studios combine several of these over time, and none of them are guaranteed — support is competitive everywhere.
- 01
Bootstrapping
Self-funded work, often alongside a job or studies.
- 02
Grants / incentives
Non-dilutive support from public or creative-industry programs, where available.
- 03
Incubators
Early structure, mentorship and sometimes small funding.
- 04
Accelerators
Focused growth programs for projects that already exist.
- 05
Publishers
Development funding in exchange for negotiated commercial rights.
- 06
Investors
Capital for equity, usually for studios with a track record or strong traction.
- 07
Crowdfunding
Direct community pre-funding — requires an audience before you start.
- 08
Early access / sales
Revenue from players funds continued development.
Bring Your Game to Players
Every platform has its own onboarding, technical requirements, commercial terms and review or certification process. Start reading the requirements long before you plan to release.
Your Game Is Intellectual Property
A general overview of the areas most game teams need to think about early. This is educational information, not legal advice.
Copyright
Protects original expression — code, art, music, text — usually from the moment it is created.
Trademark
Protects names and logos used in trade, including your studio and game titles.
Game name & logo
Check availability early; renaming after launch is expensive.
Code ownership
Make it explicit in writing who owns code written by founders, employees and freelancers.
Artwork ownership
Commissioned art is not automatically yours — the contract decides.
Music & audio
Licences differ per platform, region and media type. Keep the paperwork.
Contractor agreements
Scope, payment, delivery, ownership and credit should all be written down.
NDAs
Used before sharing builds, pitches or financials with third parties.
Publishing agreements
Define rights, revenue share, milestones, territories and termination — read carefully.
For legal registration or advice in Qatar, consult the appropriate official authority or a qualified legal professional. See the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Qatar)(opens in a new tab) and WIPO's guidance on IP in video games(opens in a new tab).
Connect With the Global Industry
From Qatar to the World
Industry events are where publishing deals, hires and collaborations actually happen. Dates change every year, so each card links to the official site rather than listing dates we cannot maintain.
GDC
San Francisco, USA
Development knowledge · Technology · Networking · Industry
Showcase opportunity: Limited (expo & indie showcases)
Gamescom
Cologne, Germany
Publishers · Investors · Platforms · Players · Media · Showcasing
Showcase opportunity: Yes
Devcom
Cologne, Germany
Game developers · Industry networking · Knowledge
Showcase opportunity: Limited
Tokyo Game Show
Tokyo, Japan
Japan · Asia · Publishers · Platforms · Players
Showcase opportunity: Yes
Gamescom Asia
Singapore
Southeast Asia · Publishing · Business development
Showcase opportunity: Yes
ChinaJoy
Shanghai, China
China · Publishing · Distribution · Business
Showcase opportunity: Yes
Nordic Game
Malmö, Sweden
Developers · Indies · Publishers · Investors
Showcase opportunity: Yes
Develop:Brighton
Brighton, UK
Developers · Technology · Networking
Showcase opportunity: Limited
Game Connection
International
B2B · Publishers · Investors · Service providers
Showcase opportunity: Meeting-based
Pocket Gamer Connects
Multiple locations
Mobile · Publishing · Investment · Networking
Showcase opportunity: Yes (indie showcase)
Gamescom Latam
São Paulo, Brazil
Latin America · Indie games · Publishing
Showcase opportunity: Yes
BitSummit
Kyoto, Japan
Indie developers · Japanese market
Showcase opportunity: Yes
Your Journey Can Start Here
Discover
Learn how the games industry actually works and which part of it fits you.
Learn
Courses · Universities · Online resources · Workshops
Create
Build prototypes and small, finished games. Finishing is the skill.
Join
Communities · Meetups · Game jams
Showcase
Geekdom · Geekend · Local events and exhibitions
Build
Incubators · Accelerators · Business support
Fund
Publishers · Programs · Investors
Go global
GDC · Gamescom · Tokyo Game Show · International events
Launch
Steam · PlayStation · Xbox · Nintendo · Mobile
Opportunities for Game Developers in Qatar
Open calls, jams, workshops and programs relevant to developers in Qatar. Expired items are removed rather than left listed as active.
No verified open opportunities are listed right now. New game jams, workshops, showcases and funding calls are added here as they are confirmed — check back, or tell us about one.
Made in Qatar
A place to celebrate games built in Qatar — by studios, students and independent developers alike. Entries are published only after the developer confirms the details.
This directory is being built with the community. If you have released or announced a game made in Qatar, submit it and we will verify and feature it here.
Building Games. Sharing Knowledge.
COREGAME develops original game IP and interactive products from Doha. Alongside that work, we contribute to game development knowledge and talent in Qatar through workshops, mentorship, industry participation and collaboration with universities, organisers and partners.
We are one participant in a growing ecosystem — this page exists to make the whole of that ecosystem easier to find.
Everything on This Page, Searchable
Every learning resource, program, community, event and tool listed above — in one filterable list.
City University Qatar (Ulster University programmes) — BSc (Hons) Game Design and Development(opens in a new tab)
Dedicated degree
University clubs (QU, CUC, UDST, Lusail)
Student game, CS and creative clubs · On campus
Global Game Jam — Qatar site(opens in a new tab)
Global Game Jam (local host varies) · Doha, Qatar (when a site is registered)
University game jams
Student clubs and faculties · Campuses across Qatar
Geekdom — GameDev Zone(opens in a new tab)
Doha, Qatar · Playtesting prototypes with real players
University exhibitions
Campuses across Qatar · Student projects and graduation showcases
Technology & creative events
Qatar · Networking beyond the games audience
Sources & Updates
Information on programs, events, opportunities and educational offerings changes regularly. COREGAME links directly to official sources wherever possible: statistics to the original research, universities to the institution, programs to the organisation, and events to the official event site.
Where something could not be verified, it is either omitted or clearly marked as requiring verification. If you spot an error or an outdated entry, please tell us.
Last reviewed: August 2026