Dubai is a city that didn't rely on 'oil money'—especially as the oil reserves began to dry up in the late 2000s—but rather on meticulous state strategy. They have executed a precise vision involving transit trade via mega-ports, attracting global capital through the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and building tourism and business clusters. With AI, Gaming, and Web3 serving as the three core pillars of Dubai's new industrial strategy, it offers an optimal environment for related companies to conduct business.

Given the regulatory environment surrounding Web3 in China, we were cautious about putting the NEXUS brand front and center, so we decided to utilize the acquired 'ONE store' brand instead. The timing coincided with the launch of our joint acceleration program with the DMCC Gaming Centre, and since the DMCC is eager to attract Chinese game companies, it made sense to visit together. The DMCC and Dubai government agencies also plan to participate in Gamescom at the end of August with a massive integrated pavilion.

They go far beyond merely issuing business licenses; they provide highly proactive network connections and marketing support. Since 90% of the population consists of foreign nationals, stimulating the domestic economy by attracting foreign companies is a core national strategy.

Supported by the credibility of government institutions, they provide detailed practical assistance, including connecting companies with local telecom representatives, networking within industrial clusters, and offering legal advice regarding the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The cooperation from local officials is so seamless that even a one-person corporation can overcome manpower limitations and move with agility.

The DMCC is expanding its network by meeting with local publishers and service companies alongside accompanying consulting firms. The NEXUS and ONE store teams are actively scouting titles for onboarding to the Korean market, and I understand that a few contracts have already been finalized on-site.

We are taking a flexible three-track approach—'co-publishing,' 'Web3 onboarding,' and 'general mobile game distribution via ONE store'—to target the highly regulated Chinese market. The integration of a robust distribution channel like ONE store has certainly lowered the barriers to contacting game developers.

Despite it being the summer holiday season when many have left Dubai, the local offline seminar saw over 100 applicants with more than 80 attendees, which was a very positive response. There is no strict limit on the number of selections. We are currently offering the three tracks I mentioned to over 100 studios and emerging developers within the DMCC.

The core of the onboarding process is the 'essential game quality' that NEXUS CEO Jang-hyun Kim has always emphasized. Synergy explodes when Web3 elements are applied to games that already have a solid Web2 user base. Our gaming business division meticulously reviews existing user counts, performance data, and genre vision to proceed with selective onboarding.

In reality, the cost burden for a Korean developer to set up an overseas branch is significant. Therefore, if a contract is signed with the Korean headquarters, we provide overseas showcases and global exposure opportunities based on that partnership. We are also discussing plans to arrange large-scale showcase slots for onboarded games at annual gaming events held in Dubai next year. Providing partners with exposure to the Middle Eastern market and offering full physical and human resource support once a local base becomes necessary is our win-win strategy.

Going beyond simple price wars on commission fees, we are positioning ourselves by providing an environment where wallets are embedded within ONE store, allowing Web2 users to naturally experience Web3. Furthermore, we are lowering the long and cumbersome review hurdles of the two major existing markets, providing a distribution network so that innovative works, such as the rapidly increasing number of AI-utilized games, can be onboarded quickly and reach global users.

While we are taking a flexible three-track approach in the heavily regulated Chinese market, the European market is less resistant to Web3 and has a strong desire to enter the Korean market. At Gamescom, we plan to hold a joint event with the Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA) to actively appeal the existence of ONE store as a distribution channel that can lower the burden of entry reviews for the two major existing markets. This will be an opportunity for European developers to increase their exposure to the Korean and Asian markets without needing a local publisher.

Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi prefer physical relocation and direct funding based on immense capital, but from a company's perspective, there are realistic constraints such as relocation costs and adaptation issues.

Dubai approaches it from a slightly different perspective. Instead of direct cash handouts, they provide non-monetary infrastructure, networking, and a clear Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) framework without limits. The lack of bureaucracy and the business-friendly environment, which allows foreign companies to operate with agility without worrying about local regulations, is the biggest appeal.

In the past, one might have struggled in a numbers game against those with capital and massive manpower, but now an opportunity has opened up to achieve high efficiency and keep up with output using fewer personnel by actively utilizing AI. Our company is also maximizing the productivity of non-development departments by using AI tools like Claude for promotional video production, website construction, and landing page development. Korean game companies should also treat the AI trend as an opportunity rather than a crisis.