High-tech gaming enthusiasts across the Middle East are set to benefit from the world’s latest advancements in 3D graphics and interactive computer-generated special effects, and the market could grow to over 100M USD, according to senior officials from ATI Technologies who are visiting Dubai to host the Gulf’s first ‘LAN party.’
Widely viewed as the world’s latest evolution in entertainment, a LAN (local area network) party consists of several gamers competing against one another in computer-generated real-world challenges, such as auto racing. The thrill, say gamers, is that the advanced 3D graphics technology now being introduced in the Middle East means that the experience feels incredibly life-like, as real-world and computer-generated environments become strikingly similar.
ATI, a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative 3D graphics and digital media silicon solutions, used the innovative LAN party concept to highlight the company’s pioneering position in the world’s high-tech gaming sector, which executives estimate to be worth more than 100M USD per year regionally.
“What better way to showcase our graphics technology for the general public than by hosting a LAN party, a concept we expect to meet with considerable enthusiasm here in the Middle East,” added Richard Huddy, Game Developer Relations Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, ATI Technologies Inc. “On a LAN, response time among players is much faster than the same interaction over the Internet, changing the quality of the game completely. Gaming events such as this one allow us to fulfill our ultimate objective: putting the world’s best 3D graphics into the hands of the world’s best gamers.”
In 2004, while ATI’s mid to high-end solution products continued to pick up pace in the Middle East, the company also saw tremendous demand for their discrete low to mid solution products as well.
“Rising Internet penetration levels, an increasing number of broadband users, and the introduction of superior gaming concepts have allowed the high-tech gaming market in the Middle East to flourish,” said Rauf Baig, Managing Director, ATI Middle East. “With our direct presence in the region, and unrivalled product range, ATI is comfortably positioned to cater to the unprecedented demand expected in the region for PC graphics technology. ATI offers the industry’s most powerful, feature-rich lineup of graphics solutions with unparalleled next-generation graphics, video performance, and battery life at every price point, for a wide range of applications including gaming, multimedia, and workstation,” he added.
Mr. Baig went on to say that the regional trends show that graphics technology is evolving much faster then other PC components and has become a key decision making criterion for users purchasing a new PC.
