The program for WN Abu Dhabi ’26 has been published. Participants include Ubisoft, Epic Games, Google, Mundfish, and others

The event will feature numerous activities in various formats, from roundtables to workshops. While on the first day, WN Abu Dhabi’26 participants will engage in business discussions within the walls of the elite Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, on the second day they will move to yachts cruising the Persian Gulf, where they will communicate in a more private setting. On the first day of WN Abu Dhabi’26, all activities will be conditionally divided into four streams based on content.

“Deals & Capital”

As the name suggests, this thematic block focuses on M&A. Key discussions during this block include:

• A major discussion on how to invest in changing market conditions. Representatives from MGVC, GEM Capital, Shorooq, and Triple Dragon have already confirmed their participation in the roundtable;
• A roundtable on the specifics of deals in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa);
• An interactive session analyzing a completed M&A deal. Jet Games' marketing director, Philip Mishchenko, will analyze the negotiations process and discuss what was done right and what was not.

“Strategy & Markets”

This thematic block will focus on working with various game markets and company business strategies. Activities include:

• A roundtable with Epic Games Store and Huawei on unconventional strategies for launching and developing games on PC and mobile. They will specifically discuss working with alternative game stores;
• A roundtable on how the global video game market has changed in 2026, featuring representatives from Niko Partners and Hypemasters;
• An extensive discussion on the current realities of managing an indie studio;
• An open talk on the potential of the MENA region and what is needed for successful business operations in the Middle East and North African countries.

“Growth & LiveOps”

This program block focuses on game marketing and operations. For instance, one of the roundtables will be dedicated to the importance of LiveOps and how gaming activities lead to increased revenue. Representatives from Ubisoft, Hypemasters, and Magify are already confirmed to participate in the discussion.

“Artificial Intelligence in Game Development and Business”

This thematic block will feature discussions on the use of artificial intelligence. Including:

• Arcana co-founder Stoyan Angelov will conduct a workshop on launching AI startups, finding a niche in an overheated market, attracting investments, and building a sustainable growth strategy;
• A roundtable with Bleeding Edge Studio and SIFOR GAMES will discuss examples of using AI in game development, focusing on the issues and limitations of AI.

Note that guests of WN Abu Dhabi’26 can freely move between all tracks and join discussions that interest them the most. Additionally, the first day of WN Abu Dhabi’26 will host a large-scale exhibition of games by independent teams and an indie pitch — a presentation of games before experts and investors followed by feedback analysis. More details about these can be found in a separate article. The day will conclude with a networking dinner where event participants can relax, exchange business cards, and summarize interim results. The second day of WN Abu Dhabi’26 will be accessible only to premium ticket holders. It will begin with a morning yoga session (participation optional) and networking coffee, continuing on yachts slowly sailing along the Abu Dhabi shoreline. Each yacht will host an informal roundtable, allowing participants to communicate in a more relaxed format and openly discuss pressing topics. At the end of the day, all guests will be transferred back to the hotel, providing an opportunity to continue conversations started on board. Remember, tickets for WN Abu Dhabi’26 are currently available at a discount — you can purchase them at a reduced price until January 28. Prices will increase thereafter.

***

You can explore the full program on the WN Abu Dhabi’26 website.