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From Qatar to the world, Dunetech emerges as the Arab gaming studio setting new global standards
In a defining moment for the Arab gaming industry, Dunetech, a pioneering game development studio based in Qatar, has been named Best Arab Startup of the Year at the MENA Startup Awards 2025. The recognition honors Dunetech’s bold vision, technical excellence, and unwavering commitment to creating culturally rich, world-class gaming experiences that speak authentically to Arab identity while captivating a global audience.
At the heart of this achievement are co-founders Nader Khadouma and Rashid Al Sulaiti, whose shared belief in Arab-led storytelling has transformed Dunetech into one of the region’s most promising creative technology ventures.
Founded by Nader Khadouma, Dunetech was born from a clear mission: to reshape the global gaming landscape by building competitive PC and console games rooted in Arab history, folklore, and modern narratives. At a time when many regional studios focused on mobile adaptations or outsourced production, Dunetech chose a far more ambitious path.
The studio set out to develop high-fidelity, immersive experiences that could compete directly with international titles, without compromising on cultural authenticity. This approach quickly set Dunetech apart and attracted both regional recognition and international attention.
The MENA Startup Awards jury highlighted not only the studio’s technical sophistication, but also its role in nurturing Arab gaming talent and bridging the long-standing gap between global gaming standards and Arab cultural representation.
What truly distinguishes Dunetech is its uncompromising commitment to authenticity. The studio is currently developing its first flagship title, War of Islands, an Arab-led AAA fighting game powered by advanced AI systems that go beyond development tools to become an interactive layer within gameplay itself.
Scheduled for launch in June, War of Islands is set to make history as one of the first Arab-developed AAA titlesreleased simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Steam. The game promises intense competitive mechanics, cinematic storytelling, and a richly imagined world inspired by Arab heritage, brought to life with next-generation technology.
By combining innovative AI, high-end production values, and culturally grounded narratives, Dunetech is redefining how Arab identity can exist within the global gaming ecosystem.
The journey to this milestone was not without obstacles. Early attempts to launch the studio in Tunisia were met with infrastructural limitations and minimal industry support, making it difficult to realize such an ambitious vision.
The turning point came with the decision to relocate operations to Qatar, supported by co-founder Rashid Al Sulaiti. Qatar’s robust infrastructure, forward-looking policies, and growing support for creative industries provided Dunetech with the foundation it needed to scale, innovate, and think globally.
Today, Dunetech stands proudly as a Qatar-based studio with international ambitions and a clear roadmap toward long-term impact.
Fresh off its MENA Startup Awards win, Dunetech is preparing to unveil War of Islands to the world, with plans to showcase the project at Web Summit Qatar 2026. The studio’s leadership sees this not as a single success, but as the beginning of a larger movement to inspire the next generation of Arab game developers.
As Nader Khadouma puts it:
“We’re not just making a game. We’re building a platform for Arab creativity to shine in an industry that has ignored our stories for too long. If we want to see our culture represented globally, we have to create it ourselves.”
Dunetech’s recognition at the MENA Startup Awards 2025 is a milestone not only for the studio, but for the Arab gaming industry as a whole. Through innovation, cultural pride, and technical excellence, Dunetech is proving that Arab-led studios can stand shoulder to shoulder with global gaming giants.
With War of Islands set to launch this June and a clear vision for the future, Dunetech is not just entering the global gaming arena. It is helping redefine it.
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