Meraas, a Dubai-based holding company, has announced the launch of Hub Zero, the region’s first immersive entertainment park that is set to offer innovative experiences created in association with world-famous video game developers including Electronic Arts, Capcom, KONAMI, Microsoft and Square Enix.

Hub Zero will be located at City Walk, a premier urban lifestyle destination in Dubai, and is scheduled to open in the summer of 2016.

The state-of-the-art indoor entertainment destination will comprise a total of 18 thrilling attractions, rides and experiential zones, with a substantial number exclusively developed for Hub Zero.

As the region’s first indoor theme park based on video games, Hub Zero is set to address the increasing global demand for innovative and distinct gaming experience. In 2014, the total consumer spend on the games industry was $22 billion . The global market for video games was predicted to jump by 9.4 percent in 2015, with researchers predicting that at this pace global revenues will reach $107 billion in 2017.
 
In the ever-evolving entertainment industry, Hub Zero introduces a new dimension of electronic gaming by inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a vibrant virtual environment and delve into a world of their favourite gaming characters and ‘Live the Game’. Several rides will be powered by artificial intelligence and feature real-time engines to provide an unmatched interactive and non-predictive gaming experience.

Spread over an area of approximately 15,000 sq m on two floors, the park will also feature an extensive e-Sports LAN gaming zone and a children’s play area. Furthermore, the three Hub Zero event rooms will offer a unique setting for private celebrations and get-togethers. Shopping enthusiasts will be offered a wide-ranging collection of Hub Zero and video game merchandise. Several themed food outlets will provide refreshments and help visitors prep-up for the next round of adrenaline-fuelled activities.

The experiential entertainment at Hub Zero will challenge visitors’ perceptions and revolutionise how they see and experience video games. The stimulating, engaging journey will compel visitors to come back time after time, it said.

"With its unique attractions, complemented by a calendar of exciting events and tournaments, Hub Zero is certain to appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike. As the first destination of its kind in the region, the immersive entertainment park is poised to emerge as a hub for the Middle Eastern gaming community and serve as a must-visit destination for UAE visitors," the statement added.

Hub Zero adds to Meraas Leisure & Entertainment division’s rapidly growing portfolio of innovative and unique attractions. It has recently announced The Green Planet, the region’s first bio-dome, and Mattel Play! Town, a themed ‘eduplay’ attraction for children, both of which will be located at City Walk. The upcoming assets will complement the current leisure and entertainment offering encompassing The Dome Box, the region’s first 360-degree dome theatre at Boxpark; Splash Pad, a wet play area for children at The Beach opposite JBR; as well as Reel Cinemas The Beach. - TradeArabia News Service