< PreviousAhmed Al Nasheet – a wildly popular Dubai-based gaming influencer and commentator who goes by the name DVLZGame – says that the fact that profes- sional athletes endorsed esports during the pandemic will have a lasting impact on the sector. “This will create a whole movement. People inter- ested in watching foot- ball, for example, will also get interested in watching esports. It’s all related,” he explains. “If professional football players are playing a game and taking it seriously, the fans will take it seriously. It breaks the boundaries.” Al Nasheet’s views are echoed by Acer’s Collins, who says he believes the Covid-19 pandemic will one day be seen as a turn- ing point for esports when it moved from niche – but large – audiences of young people to a wider demographic of ‘traditional’ sports fans, many of whom will be older and more mature. “We’re going to get a lot more of this, and we’re going to see quite a large spike in gaming, to almost replace traditional sports. There will be a crossover of people who enjoy watching the sport in real life actually starting to pick up on those sports in a gaming environment,” he explains. “This is going to be a huge accelerator.” A turning point for esports? It’s not just regular members of the public that have been stuck and unable to compete physically. Around the world, arenas and stadiums have been dormant, the stands empty of crowds and the playing fields and courts devoid of action. In response, large parts of the professional sports world have taken their competition online. In March, for example, Formula 1 announced an ‘Esports Virtual Grand Prix’ featuring a number of current F1 drivers. Top flight football leagues quickly followed suit. The trend was highlighted on April 10, when arch rivals Inter Milan and AC Milan held an ‘e-Milan derby’ on the game Pro Evolution Soccer 2020. The match – which in ‘normal’ times would have been played in front of 80,000 fans at the shared San Siro Stadium – was instead broadcast globally on YouTube and on AC Milan’s subscription TV channel. The British Premier League, for its part, held a similar week-long digital tournament on FIFA, with the ‘matches’ streamed on NBC Sports, Sky Sports Twitch and Youtube. “There will be a crossover of people who enjoy watching the sport in real life actually starting to pick up on those sports in a gaming environment” u Ahmad Al Nasheet is a well-known gaming infl uencer and commentator FEATURE / G AMING 30 Vol. 21/10, May 2020arabianbusiness.com 31 Beyond business In the short-term, however, many gamers and industry insiders are more focussed on the benefits that gaming has during the pandemic: namely, that it is an activity that manages to simulta- neously keep people apart physically and bring them together emotionally at a time when physical gather- ings outside of the home are all but impossible. “The solution [to the pandemic] is gaming. Stay home, and play games,” remarks Karim Ibrahim, the chief executive of Robocom VR, a Dubai-based tech firm that specialises in virtual, augmented and mixed reality gaming and entertainment. “Connectivity is the key. Covid made us realise, even on an off-level, that we’re all connected,” Ibrahim adds. “One way or another, the world functions as one single entity. Gaming allowed us to realise that.” Notably, both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and gaming companies themselves have pitched this connectivity as a major sell- ing point during the crisis. In late March, the WHO and a number of gaming companies came together to launch the #PlayApart- Together initiative, aimed at keeping people indoors, playing games, and having a conversation – through gaming platforms – while following safety guidelines during the pandemic. “It’s never been more critical to ensure people stay safely connected to one another,” Activision’s chief executive, Bobby Kotick, said at the time. “Games are the perfect plat- form because they connect people through the lens of joy, purpose and meaning.” For the WHO, the encouragement of gaming comes as something of a reversal. Just last year, the organisation officially labelled gaming addiction a modern disease, despite the fact that it is far from accepted as one by mental health practitioners around the world. Citing ‘reviews of available evidence’, the WHO warned of ‘impaired control’ and that many young people may prioritise games over school work and social responsibilities. “This proves them wrong,” Kanungo tells us angrily. “They took extreme exam- ples and warned of a modern illness. Covid-19 is a real, actual illness, and now they want us at home gaming to fight it. This is important now, and a kind of social interaction on its own. The pandemic helped everyone realise it.” The potential benefits of gaming haven’t been lost on parents and mental health professionals here in Dubai. Among them is Dr Sarah Rasmi, managing director of the Dubai-based Thrive Well- being Centre and mother of a 16-year-old. “As much as we try to mini- mise the amount of time they [young people] are spending on video games and these other sorts of things, if that’s their social outlet, and the way they are able to connect with their friends, then we need to be a little more flex- ible about it,” she says. “It’s a lifeline. They used to go hang out or go outside together. Now they can’t, but what they can do is continue to play and connect through their Play- Station or Xbox.” No end in sight Currently, it remains unclear how long restrictions will last, and what social life and entertainment in the UAE and elsewhere in the region will look like in the post coro- navirus era. For the foreseeable future, however, most of us will largely be confined to our homes most of the time – a trend that many gamers say u The Middle East boasts the world’s fastest growing gaming market Big business Activision and Electronics Arts – two of the biggest players in the gaming industry – reported soaring profi ts in the fi rst quarter, largely as a result of the pandemic. Activision’s quarterly profi t reached $505m on revenue of $1.8bn, while EA’s income doubled to $418m, with revenues of $1.4bn. Electronic Arts’ popular FIFA game also reached 25 million players, a franchise record. u Dr Sarah Rasmi, managing director of Thrive Wellbeing Centre / G AMING will likely mean elevated interest in the sector, even after ‘official’ restrictions are lifted. “Everybody is bored at home,” Al Nasheet sighs. “For the first time ever, it doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you do for work. Every- body is at home. People are hungry for new games and will be bored of what they had before. People just want to play video games. It’s the right time.” Kanungo puts his forecast more bluntly. “Restrictions may be lifted a bit, but this isn’t going to end all that soon. I doubt I’ll be headed out to eat or to a bar this year even,” he says, his eyes still locked on his game rather than on the Zoom call. “I’ll need to buy more games.” Liquid assets 32 Vol. 21/10, May 2020 1847 executive grooming for men Getting a haircut in the Covid-19 era is a strange experience, but one that becomes an absolute necessity as the pandemic grinds on About a month into my quarantine, my hair problems began. Centimetre by centimetre, my hair grew into a thick crop; an unruly mess that slowly crawled down my ears and down my neck. Day by day, I looked more like a 1970s teenager. Despite my wife claiming she loved my youthful-yet-retro look, things couldn’t go on like this. I needed a haircut. At the outset, I strongly considered doing it myself – or getting my wife to do it. How hard could it be? I began searching for barber kits online, and carefully studying YouTube tutorials. A DIY haircut, however, is trickier than it seems. All it took to convince me that it was a bad idea was a casual look at Instagram. Friend after friend tried it – and friend after friend was left with horrifying disasterous scenes atop their heads. The phrase ‘Quarancut’ even found its way into popular lexicon, with thousands of men around the world taking to social media to proudly – I’m not sure why – display their own home haircut experiences. My hair needed a professional. With that in mind, I booked a visit to 1847 Executive Grooming for Men at their branch in JBR. The fact that I even had to “book a visit” represents something of a change, at least in terms of my own experiences with barbers in Dubai. While usually I just walk in, 1847 – and other barbers across Dubai – are now by appointment only as a precautionary measure in the Covid-19 era. These safety procedures have drastically altered the experience of going to a barbershop. In BY BERND DEBUSMANN JRarabianbusiness.com 33 addition to mandatory bookings, clients and staff with fl u-like symptoms are forbidden from entering, and temperatures are checked at the door. Waiting areas have vanished – and surfaces and handles are meticulously wiped every 15 minutes. Even the cutting shears and other implements come in sterile plastic bags, like something out of a hospital. The experience of a haircut itself was fairly standard. My barber went about his business quickly and effi ciently, leaving me feeling like a modern human again. Although I expected it would be tricky to cut around the straps of my mask, the barber deftly managed to do so without much of a problem. That being said, getting a haircut in the coronavirus era isn’t fun. For one, the masks make for a bit of an awkward experience, with little to none of the casual small talk one might fi nd at a barbershop. That, combined with the sterile instruments and medical gloves reminded me – in an unpleasant way – of going through surgery. Additionally, over time, wearing the mask becomes unbearably uncomfortable, particularly if – like me – you’ve made the mistake of walking through the horrendously hot sun on the way to the barber. However, what choice do men have? Options are limited. One can choose to let their hair grow out further until the pandemic ends, and face the risk of looking unkempt and untidy on your next Zoom call. Alternatively, you can try cut your own hair, and see how that goes. If you go for the third option – to head to the barbershop – then 1847 is a good choice. Although Arabian Business can’t speak for other branches, its outlet in JBR is luxurious, convenient, and large enough that one need not worry too much about social distancing. In fact, aside from the receptionist and the barber, we didn’t encounter any other customers, although there were several inside. The entire premises is limited to 9 customers. Additionally, their adherence to the rules takes away much of the concern that comes with going to get one’s hair cut – or anywhere really – during these rather complicated times. As far as barbers go, a trip to 1847 isn’t cheap, with haircuts starting at AED 75 (for just clippers and a wash and dry) through AED 275 for a scissor haircut and the famous trademark 1847 shave. Incidentally, just before the Covid-19 pandemic, Arabian Business went to try out massages at another 1847 outpost, in Nakheel Mall, when we got a ‘wellbeing’ massage that stretched out our neck, shoulder and back after a long day’s work. Although massages currently aren’t available anywhere in Dubai, once the pandemic restrictions are over, it will be well worth going through some of 1847’s other options. From massages to manicures, they’ve got you covered. Other haircut options Keep in mind that as per regulations set by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), barbershops and salons across the Emirate must take the same safety precautions as 1847 has, including mandatory bookings, face masks and regular disinfection. Other options Julians: A Dubai favourite, the British run barbershop is back and open for business at its location in Arenco Tower in Media City. An adult haircut costs approximately AED140. The Art of Shaving: A global chain of high-end men’s shaving and skin care accessories, the Art of Shaving has outlets at City Walk, Dubai Mall, Nakheel Mall, Dubai Festival City and Dubai Festival Plaza. A normal haircut costs AED105, while a haircut and the salon's ‘royal shave’ costs as much as AED315. Chaps & Co: Another local favourite among businessmen, Chaps & Co has re-opened fi ve of its six locations, which include Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai Design District, and Reform Social Bar & Grill at the Lakes. A haircut costs AED125, or AED180 with the addition of a beard trim. Beats and Cuts: Located on Al Wasl Group, the homey and warm Beats and Cuts has also re-opened. It’s one of the more affordable – yet still good options – in the city, with haircuts starting at AED70. u 1847 offers high-end grooming services for men34 Vol. 21/10, May 2020 Before starting your business in Dubai, research the market thoroughly. Study your niche and focus your business plan on how your company can tackle a pain point neglected by other businesses. Through your marketing, emphasise to your prospective clients that you will fulfi l that need for them. Without strategic brand differentiation, it will be very diffi cult to survive in today’s intensely competitive market. Many new entrants gravitate towards Dubai’s free zones due to their attractive tax policies and smooth set-up processes. While these benefi ts are valuable, it’s also important to be aware of the fact that free zones also impose several limitations on business activities. For instance, most free zone businesses can only engage customers within their vicin- ity and are issued a limited number of employee visas. While the process of setting up a business in Dubai is well-organised and accessible, many fi rst-time business owners feel over- whelmed by the paperwork required by government departments or free zone authorities. For this reason, many fi nd it extremely valuable to hire a public relations offi cer (PRO), or a professional business start- up agency to assist them in setting up their company. When brainstorming names for your business, it’s important to keep government regulations in mind. Businesses cannot be named after a family, tribe or individual (unless it is the licensee), and they cannot share the same name as an established brand. Names of countries are also prohibited unless approval is obtained from the respective embassies. Dubai is home to as many as 45 corporate banks and it will serve new business owners well to carefully study their choices before deciding which bank to give their business. Corporate banks tend to have strict policies and high fees, which can signifi cantly impact your company’s operations and profi ts. Make sure the regula- tions of your bank of choice favour your business instead of hampering it. Starting your company in the UAE The emirates’ business landscape is subjected to numerous regulations. Dubai-based experts Decisive Zone help entrepreneurs familiarise themselves with the setup process beforehand Choosing your location wisely Hiring a Public Relations Offi cer Complying with regulations Finding the ideal corporate bank Researching your niche in the marketFOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT WWW.COMMERCIALINTERIORDESIGN.COM/cid-AWARDS OR CONTACT ONE OF OUR TEAM TODAy For sponsorship enquiries: Laura Collinder Sales Manager Tel: +971 4 444 3576 Mobile: 971 55 401 1628 Email: laura.collinder@itp.com For NOMINATION enquiries: JANE O'NEILL EDITOR Tel: +971 4 444 3626 Email: jane.oneill@itp.com For event enquiries: teri dunstan Events manager Tel: +971 4 444 3277 Email: teri.dunstan@itp.com For Table sales enquiries: anthony chandran table sales executive Tel: +971 4 444 3685 Email: anthony.chandran@itp.com silver SPONSOR category SPONSORs Social media SPONSOR WEDNESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2020 submit your nominations today! 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