News

New High-Tech Immersive Gaming Attraction Arrives In Dubai

The City Centre Mirdif facility comes courtesy of Canada’s Activate Games and blends fitness and gaming for thrilling, tech-savvy entertainment.

Published

7 months ago

October 30, 2024

Nour Nasir

new high-tech immersive gaming attraction arrives in dubai

Activate Games

Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment has joined forces with Canada’s Activate Games to bring a thrilling, tech-driven gaming experience to City Centre Mirdif. The new facility is Activate’s debut project in the MENA region, and reimagines indoor entertainment by merging gaming with fitness to specifically appeal to Dubai’s tech-focused population.

Activate at City Centre Mirdif offers nine unique game rooms that incorporate advanced technology to create an environment where players must jump, dodge, climb, and solve puzzles in more than 50 interactive games. A highlight of the experience, the Mega Grid, has already gone viral on TikTok, attracting attention with its dazzling array of over 500 lights that respond to players’ movements.

Activate’s Dubai location includes 10 levels of game difficulty, spanning from beginner to advanced, making it accessible to all skill levels. Adam Schmidt, CEO and founder of Activate, emphasizes that this experience goes beyond typical fitness or gaming: “With our innovative games engineered for repeat play, we offer a dynamic space for friends, families, and teams to connect, have fun, and stay active. This is a fresh take on entertainment that has made Activate the fastest-growing entertainment concept in the world”.

A central feature of Activate’s success lies in its use of RFID technology, which enables seamless tracking of player progress and achievements. Players earn rewards and badges based on game performance, adding a layer of gamification that keeps them coming back. “Our use of RFID technology allows for seamless tracking and progress, and our reward and badge system adds extra motivation, with players earning badges and rewards based on their achievements,” Schmidt explains.

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As interest in gaming continues to surge in the Middle East, Activate’s timing is ideal to meet the region’s increasing demand for tech-driven entertainment. Positioned as the first experience of its kind in the MENA region, Activate at City Centre Mirdif is set to attract a broad range of visitors, from families to gaming enthusiasts, all seeking a novel and active form of entertainment, he says.

News

UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

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Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.