jordan pulse -

With $22 million spent on the video game sector in the Middle East in 2023 and expectations for it to rise to $38 million in the next five years, coinciding with the launch of the Jordanian Strategy for Electronic Games and Sports 2023-2027 aimed at increasing the contribution of video games by 1% to the GDP, Orange Jordan has supported Yarmouk University's efforts to encourage Jordanian university students to develop and design video games and raise awareness about the gaming industry among young generations through the "Yarmouk University Game Development Contest."

The contest was held in the laboratories of the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science at Yarmouk University on July 25, with the participation of students from all Jordanian universities. Competitors formed teams of 2 to 4 members, focusing their game ideas on the environment, community service, and entertainment.

The Yarmouk University competition is the first of its kind aimed at motivating Jordanian students to employ their creative skills to develop video games, which are rapidly growing at all levels, significantly contributing to the economy and providing job opportunities. Additionally, the competition fosters problem-solving and critical thinking skills among young people, enhancing their societal roles and contributions.

Orange Jordan highlighted that video games have evolved beyond being mere recreational activities to becoming a vital, developmental sector that attracts talented individuals, provides job opportunities, and enables students to unleash their creative ideas and explore new areas of their capabilities. This aligns well with the national strategy aiming to 3,000 job opportunities for young people over the next five years, establish four specialized training centers for electronic games and sports, attract five global companies to invest in the gaming and esports sector, and support 20 startups and small to medium-sized enterprises in this field.

As part of its sponsorship and support for the contest, Orange Jordan awarded financial prizes to the top three winning teams, credited through the Orange Money wallet.

Orange congratulated the winners: the "Junior Bird" team from the Applied Science Private University in first place, the "Cat Journey" team from Jordan University of Science and Technology in second place, and the "Dead Dirty" team from the same university in third place.

Yarmouk University praised the interest attracted by the contest, reflecting the national belief in the importance of encouraging this innovative and evolving sector as part of the future. The university also thanked Orange Jordan for its continuous presence in national events and the support it provides, contributing to the continuation of these efforts.

It is worth noting that the International Esports Federation was established in South Korea in 2008 as the main international body responsible for organizing and managing esports at the global level, currently comprising 109 member countries, including Jordan. Recently, Jordan has been keen to enhance its position in this field, particularly with the hosting of the first-of-its-kind Arab Future Esports Conference last April. Local competitions like the Yarmouk University contest are fundamental in supporting these efforts.

For more information, you can visit our website: [www.orange.jo](http://www.orange.jo).