In a region where large-scale game development is still emerging, Nader Khadouma is working to redefine what is possible. From his early beginnings in Tunisia to establishing Dunetech Studios in Qatar, Khadouma’s journey reflects a broader ambition: building internationally competitive, high-quality game IPs from the Arab world.
The Birth of Dunetech Studios
Dunetech Studios was founded with a clear mission—to create original, world-class games capable of competing globally while being developed from the Middle East. This vision was shaped early on by the limited infrastructure and investment available for large-scale game development in Tunisia. While talent and creativity were present, the ecosystem required to build ambitious, long-term projects was still developing.
Determined to move beyond these constraints, Khadouma made the strategic decision to expand the studio’s operations to Qatar, a country investing heavily in technology, digital media, and creative industries. This move marked a turning point in Dunetech’s evolution from an independent initiative into a structured studio with international ambitions.
Qatar: A Strategic Base for Global Ambitions
Relocating Dunetech Studios to Doha provided access to a supportive ecosystem aligned with the studio’s long-term vision. With the backing of local partners, including Qatari entrepreneur Rashid Al Sulaiti, Dunetech began building the foundations required for AAA development: robust production pipelines, scalable technology, and a globally oriented business strategy.
Crucially, Dunetech Studios has been self-funded with an initial capital investment of USD 3 million, allowing the company to retain full creative and strategic control while building its core team, technology stack, and flagship project.
“Being self-funded gave us the freedom to think long-term,” Khadouma explains. “It allowed us to focus on quality, technology, and IP ownership without compromising the studio’s vision.”
War of Islands: Dunetech’s First AAA Flagship Title
At the center of Dunetech Studios’ roadmap is War of Islands, the company’s first AAA project. Designed for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox, the title represents a significant long-term investment in original intellectual property, advanced game systems, and high production standards.
War of Islands is being developed for a global audience, with a strong emphasis on scalability, immersive gameplay, and long-term content expansion. Rather than pursuing short-lived releases, Dunetech aims to build a durable game universe capable of evolving over time across platforms and future installments.
Web Summit Qatar: Market Validation and Investor Interest
Dunetech Studios’ recent showcase at Web Summit Qatar marked a significant milestone in the company’s growth. Presenting War of Islands and the studio’s long-term vision to an international audience, Dunetech attracted strong interest from investors, publishers, and strategic partners.
The studio’s presence generated multiple high-quality conversations around funding, partnerships, and talent acquisition, providing early market validation for both the project and the studio’s AAA ambitions.
“The response confirmed that there is genuine global interest in serious game IP coming from the region,” Khadouma notes. “Execution and vision matter more than geography.”
Industry Recognition: Best Arab Startup – MENA Startup Awards 2025
In 2025, Dunetech Studios was awarded Best Arab Startup at the MENA Startup Awards in Qatar. The recognition highlighted the studio’s technical ambition, originality, and contribution to the regional gaming and creative technology ecosystem.
The award marked an important milestone for the studio, reinforcing its position as one of the emerging game development companies in the region and validating its long-term vision to build globally competitive AAA titles from the Middle East.
Building More Than Games: A Studio and an Ecosystem
For Khadouma, Dunetech Studios is not just about shipping a single title. The broader objective is to establish a sustainable AAA game development studio in the Arab world—one that creates opportunities for regional talent while operating at global standards.
By investing in people, pipelines, and partnerships, Dunetech seeks to contribute to a growing creative and technical ecosystem. The studio actively engages with developers, creatives, and startups, encouraging collaboration and cross-industry innovation.
“When a studio from our region succeeds on a global stage, it reshapes expectations,” Khadouma says. “It shows that Arab-based studios can lead, innovate, and compete at the highest level.”
Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Vision
As Dunetech Studios continues development on War of Islands, the company is also laying the groundwork for future projects, strategic partnerships, and talent growth. While remaining privately and self-funded, the studio is positioning itself for sustainable expansion built on strong IP, technical excellence, and global reach.
With Qatar as its base and a clear AAA roadmap, Dunetech Studios represents a new generation of Arab game developers—focused on ownership, quality, and international competitiveness.
The journey from Tunisia to Qatar is more than a personal story; it reflects a broader shift in where world-class games can be created. With War of Islands in development, strong investor interest following Web Summit Qatar, and industry recognition already achieved, Dunetech Studios is positioning itself at the forefront of that transformation.
