Video Game Design

### Backgammon is not a game. It is a conversation between two minds. On **May 10 at 7:00 PM**, a private circle gathers in Dubai — entrepreneurs, business owners, investors and executives from the Business Chess & Backgammon international community. The evening centres around backgammon. A game where strategy meets intuition. Where character reveals itself under pressure. Where silence between moves speaks louder than words. Where the person sitting across from you becomes real — not a title, not a role. Backgammon is just the excuse. The real value is the people at the table. *** **Why Backgammon?** One of the oldest games in the world. Played by merchants, strategists and rulers for thousands of years. It teaches you to make decisions under uncertainty. To stay composed under pressure. To read the situation several moves ahead. The same qualities that define a strong entrepreneur. Your level of play does not matter. We play for pleasure — not for victory. *** **The Format** ♟ Backgammon and chess — no ratings, no pressure ♟ Intimate setting — a small, carefully selected group ♟ Dialogue between equals — no pitches, no roles ♟ Thoughtfully chosen venue with attention to atmosphere and detail No stage. No agenda. No random guests. *** **About the Community** Business Chess & Backgammon is an international community. 5 years · 8 countries · 19 cities · 3,000+ members In Dubai, we have gathered every Sunday for 4 years. A stable, deliberately curated format built around depth, taste and meaningful connection. *** **Who Attends** Entrepreneurs · Business Owners · Investors · Executives · Dubai Expats *** 📅 May 10 · Sunday 🕖 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM 📍 Dubai *(location shared upon confirmation)* 💎 Contribution: 100 AED 🔒 By application only · Limited spots *Backgammon is just the excuse.* *The real value is the people you meet.* **→ Request to Join** ##

Join Dubai Ludo Masters for a fun and social board game night welcoming all newcomers to the city! Whether you're a seasoned strategist or new to tabletop games, this event is perfect for making new friends and getting to know the local board gaming community. Grab your favourite board game or try one of ours from the collection of strategy and cooperative games available. Dive into the world of tabletop gaming, meet like-minded individuals, and enjoy a night filled with laughter, competition, and friendly banter. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow board game enthusiasts in a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are offering limited slots for our FREE LUDO GAMES. Venue: Al Safa Sports Hall Time: 10am Duration: 1 hr Ludo board, pawn and dice: all provided Limited to 8 members only. To join: contact the host Waqsi 0509001406

For the first time ever Mafia Party Game on a Yacht. Join us for an amazing Mafia party game night ( multiple rounds ) on a yacht. Starting: at 7pm till late night. location: Dubai creek Harbour marina. Yacht is parked all night and not going to move so you can arrive at your leisure. Complimentary Water / Softdrink & snacks. Entrance fee: 55 AED Contact: 058 199 2288 ( Ramin ) WhatsApp group link : https://chat.whatsapp.com/ExhRxxpUtNqE3eNgYfhEQR?mode=wwt

♠️ Private Poker Meetup | Buy-in 5,000 Join us for an exclusive private poker meetup designed for players who appreciate a serious game, strong competition, and a premium atmosphere. This event brings together like-minded poker enthusiasts for an evening of focused play, strategic thinking, and high-level poker action. No beginners’ chaos — only disciplined gameplay and respect for the table. Details: • 🎲 Game: Poker • 💰 Buy-in: 5,000 • 👥 Players: Limited seats • 🔒 Format: Private meetup A great opportunity to test your skills, expand your poker circle, and enjoy the game in a comfortable, discreet environment. 📍 Location details will be shared with confirmed participants only.

REGISTRATION THROUGH WHATSAPP: 0552176382 SOCIAL FOOTBALL GAMES FOR ALL LEVELS. FEES ARE 40 AED Cash And 45 AED Online.

Join us for an exciting day of Padel – one of the fastest-growing sports in the world! Book your game and get more details! **[Join our WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/whatsapp-padel-meetup)** Whether you're a seasoned player or just curious to try something new, this is the perfect opportunity. **Friendly Matches** Participate in casual games where you can compete, have fun, and make new friends. **Fun and Relaxation** Enjoy a day of laughter, friendly competition, and good vibes. It's not just about the sport; it's about the community! Book your game and get more details! **[Join our WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/whatsapp-padel-meetup)** **Why Padel?** Padel is an incredibly accessible sport that's easy to learn and play. You don't need to be a pro to enjoy the game; just bring your enthusiasm, and we'll take care of the rest! Book your game and get more details! **[Join our WhatsApp group (Click on Mobile / 971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/whatsapp-padel-meetup)** *Just like any game, slots are limited. RSVP and complete your registration at the earliest.* See you in the court! 🎾

**This session is for All levels of players. Advanced level players play in their dedicated courts** ✅ 2 hours of badminton ✅ All levels are welcomed ✅ Feather shuttles included ✅ Professional courts at Danube Sports World ✅ Great games, great people, minimal waiting time **Fee: AED 45** \*\*\* **How to Confirm Your Spot** **Step 1:** RSVP on Meetup **Step 2:** Pay immediately via Careem Pay/Bank Transfer 📲 0555236521 [Rauf] 📲 0509001406 [Waqsi] **Your spot is only confirmed after payment.** If payment is not received, your slot may be given to someone on the wait-list. \*\*\* **Cancellation Policy** Cancel **12+ hours before event** → No charge Cancel **less than 12 hours before event** → Full payment required (this applies even if you sign up within 12hrs of the game time) **No-show** → Full payment required. \*\*\* **New Players** WhatsApp after RSVP: 📲 0555236521 [Rauf] 📲 0509001406 [Waqsi] [https://wa.me/971509001406](https://wa.me/971509001406) **🎯 Welcome to Badminton Lovers Dubai!** **The World's Highest-rated badminton community** from the heart of Dubai \(A perfect ⭐ 5 star rated ★ \| 6000\+ reviews\) – where fun\, fitness\, and friendship come together on court\! Whether you’re a **beginner eager to learn** or an **advanced player seeking competitive rallies**, you’ll enjoy: ✔ 2 hours of structured, mix-and-match doubles games ✔ Professional world-class courts ✔ A friendly, welcoming community of players of all levels \*\*\* **⭐ Why Join Us?** ✔ Dubai’s **#1 rated sports & social group** ✔ Play with 5-6 players per court → **minimum waiting time** ✔ Separate courts for **advanced competitive matches** ✔ Beginner-friendly – guidance & support provided ✔ **Feather shuttles included** + limited rackets (first-come, first-serve) ✔ Exclusive **discounts at leading sports stores in Dubai** ✔ Social, fun, and a great way to meet new friends \*\*\* **📸 Social Media Policy** * Photos/videos may be used to promote badminton & our community **👥 Guest Policy** * Guests must be registered with **name & level** * RSVP holder is responsible for guest payment & cancellations \*\*\* **🏸 Safety Guidelines & Event Rules** To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and well-organised experience for everyone, all participants are required to read and follow the guidelines below: \*\*\* **1️⃣ Personal Responsibility** * All players participate **at their own risk**. * Please ensure you are **physically fit and medically able** to play badminton before joining the session. * Warm up properly and play within your personal limits. \*\*\* **2️⃣ On-Court Safety** * Always be aware of **other players**, shuttle direction, and adjacent courts. * Avoid running into other courts or behind players during active rallies. * Stop play immediately if a shuttle or player enters your court unexpectedly. * Wear **appropriate non-marking sports shoes** to prevent slips and injuries. \*\*\* **3️⃣ Equipment & Attire** * Use suitable badminton rackets and equipment in good condition. * Badminton Lovers Dubai is **not responsible** for any damage to personal equipment. \*\*\* **4️⃣ Personal Belongings** * Players are fully responsible for their **own belongings**. **The organisers are not liable** for any loss, theft, or damage to personal property. \*\*\* **5 Liability Disclaimer** By attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that: * You voluntarily assume all risks associated with playing badminton. * **Badminton Lovers Dubai, its organisers, hosts, and volunteers are released from any liability**, claims, demands, or causes of action related to personal injury, loss, damage, or theft of belongings.

### **This is not a public event.** On 10 may we’re gathering a **small, curated circle** of entrepreneurs, founders, and professionals in Dubai. No mass invites. No open access. No random crowd. **Why people come** Because most networking events don’t work. Too loud. Too superficial. Too many people who shouldn’t be in the room. We do it differently. **What happens here** No pitches. No сцен. No forced conversations. Only a carefully selected group where connections happen naturally — through presence, not performance. **Chess & backgammon?** Just an excuse. The real value is the room. And who is sitting across from you. **Event details** 📅 may 10 🕖 19:00–22:00 📍 Dubai (location shared after confirmation) 💎 Limited capacity 🔒 Approval required **Contribution** 💎 **100 AED — charitable contribution** This is not a ticket. It’s a filter. It ensures the right people in the room. **Important** We do not aim for quantity. We protect the quality of the circle. Once the list is full — registration closes. **If you feel this is for you — apply now.** **If you hesitate — it’s probably not.**

Join us for our next **Freehands art** meetup! - Free 🖌️☕ 📍 **Location:** Dubai Mall - call me for confirmation 0554413995 ⏰ **Time:** 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Unwind, sketch, and let your creativity flow in a cozy, inspiring atmosphere. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just love to doodle, this is the perfect space to express yourself, meet like-minded creatives, and enjoy great conversations over coffee. Bring your sketchbook, enjoy a warm drink, and let your imagination take over! No experience needed—just your passion for creativity! **📩 RSVP Now!** Let us know you're coming, WhatsApp: +971554413995, so we can save you a seat. Can't wait to see you there! 🎨✨ Check our previous gatherings photos: https://www.meetup.com/freehand/photos/35584362/ #FreehandImagination #ArtMeetup #DubaiArtists #SketchAndSip

Casual basketball for all level players to join. Whatsapp +971585129190 to join our community of players. NOTE- confirmation of slot has to be given on whatsapp only. Cost is 30 AED per person

WA: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FWRfxRrzFg6EP4e7cIwGjX?mode=gi_t Get ready to step into the room where real work happens. The 24 Actor's Journey is a weekly training workshop built for anyone who wants to dig into the craft of acting and walk away a sharper, more present, more expressive human being. Whether you have years of experience or you're just starting to take this seriously, this space is designed to meet you where you are and push you further. Each session is three hours of hands-on practice, four times a month. We work the full instrument, meaning body language, physicality, movement, use of space, and vocal training all get equal attention alongside the internal work. You won't just be reading lines, you'll be training the whole self that shows up to deliver them. The approaches we draw from read like a who's who of acting methodology. Meisner, Adler, Uta Hagen, Strasberg, Laban, Michael Chekhov, Lecoq, Viewpoints. But none of this is taught as dry theory. It's all put into practice, explored in the room, and felt in the body. That's the only way any of it actually sticks. Over time, the work goes deeper. We get into character development, script analysis, monologues and scenes, stage fright, vulnerability, listening, and emotional expression. These aren't just acting skills. They're human skills, and the people who train them consistently are the ones who grow the fastest. The 24 Actor's Journey is a place to keep showing up, keep training, and keep building something real. If you've been looking for a space that takes the craft seriously and also makes the process genuinely exciting, this is your invitation to come find out what you're made of. WA: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FWRfxRrzFg6EP4e7cIwGjX?mode=gi_t

Your DXB Tribe – Sound Healing with Sara ✨🎶☕ Join us for a special Sunday morning of relaxation, connection, and nourishment with Your DXB Tribe. We are so excited to welcome Sara, who will guide us through a sound healing session designed to help you slow down, reset your energy, and feel more grounded and present. After the session, we’ll continue the experience with a gathering, giving us time to connect, share, and enjoy a calm morning together in a beautiful setting. 🗓 Sunday, 10th May ⏰ 10 am – 1:00 pm 📍 Location: South Ridge, Downtown https://maps.app.goo.gl/efrK5b7CX82UcwUQ7?g_st=ic This event is perfect if you want to: • take a mindful pause from a busy week • experience the power of sound healing • meet new and familiar tribe ladies in a relaxed space • start your Sunday feeling refreshed and recharged Spaces are limited, so registration is required. Please bring your mat and a cushion 🥰✨and a blanket if you wish 🙏🏽 We can’t wait to share this morning with you 🤍 Your DXB Tribe

Come and join us for friendly football games. Everyday at 9 pm Contact us through WhatsApp for booking 0522955859 We welcome all levels ♥️🫂 Fee are 40 AED

FREE event [https://www.ccad.edu/chroma](https://www.ccad.edu/chroma) Friday, May 15, 3–7 p.m. CCAD campus, 60 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH Join Columbus College of Art & Design for *2025* *Chroma: Best of CCAD*, our annual campuswide exhibition showcasing outstanding student work from across the college’s academic programs. This faculty-juried show features select work from CCAD students of all class years, and is a can’t-miss end-of-year campus celebration recognizing their tremendous achievements. It’ll be a night of fun and entertainment, with interactive games, animation and film screenings, art symposiums, poetry and prose readings, and more (along with some of the best local food trucks). *Chroma* is free and open to all. Many exhibitions including... **Game Art & Design:** **DSB, first floor, Welcome Center lobby and Room 115**

This meetup is a beginner-friendly session introducing version control for Unity projects, with a look at three common tools: Git, Perforce, and Unity Version Control. The goal is to help you understand what version control is, why it matters for Unity development, and what options are out there. The format will likely be presentation-style, with live demos and time for questions throughout. You'll see each tool in action and learn how they fit into a Unity workflow. What to Expect: * An introduction to version control and why it's essential for Unity projects * An overview of Git, Perforce, and Unity Version Control * Demos of each tool in a Unity workflow * Tips for getting started * No prior version control experience required * Resources for continued learning All experience levels are welcome. Whether you're new to version control or already using one of these tools, this session will help you understand what each one offers. Food and drinks provided. Join us to learn more about version control options for Unity.

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

PLEASE NOTE!!! This event will be In-Person for our very 1st Improving collab! If you know the [Columbus Unity group](https://www.meetup.com/columbus-unity-user-group/) location, we'll be at the same place. This is our 1st event and are doing a soft launch with limited attendance. 1st come 1st serve. If you want to be there and we fill up, please email me at [info@thecogg.com](mailto:info@thecogg.com) and I'll be in touch. All street parking is free on Sundays but you can also pay to park in any of the local garages. See image of [parking map here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mr9_LFIggbs-0_Zd3AJTGNqEhgMf2TzQ/view?usp=sharing). \-\-\- On the last Sunday of the month, we're having our usual end-of-the-month social gathering with our GameDev Meetup meeting. There will be announcements and presentations followed by some social networking Let's continue the conversations with good vibes and friends. All are welcomed from all ages and backgrounds to this public event. If we can, we'll be streaming or uploading the video later via our COGG YouTube channel here: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams](https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams) (Also please do subscribe if you have not done so!) No game development experience required! If you are interested in doing a 20 minute game development related presentation, please fill out our form online here: [https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1](https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1) Or e-mail us at info@thecogg.com with the following: Your Name, Company/Affiliation, Name of Your Game/Topic, Description, Tech Needs, and Your Contact. Be sure to check out our Discord for real time news updates: [https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ](https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ)

The Forge does have a full bar and kitchen. There is no cover charge but they do request all attendees to purchase a minimum of ~20 per person. Soft drink refills are 1 each. Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area. Parking can sometimes fill esrly. There is additional parking lot behind the neighboring Mexican restaurant that is free and easy to walk from but it's a bit hidden.

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBD

**Building a great product is one thing—building momentum behind it is another.** Join **Senior Product Manager Adam Solaiman** and **User Experience Manager Tyson Smith** for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn complex ideas into scalable products inside large organizations. In this session, they’ll share how teams move from ambiguity to execution—navigating organizational complexity, aligning stakeholders, and continuously evolving products after launch. You’ll walk away with insights on how to: * Build and sustain momentum across teams * Adapt to changing priorities without losing direction * Scale products thoughtfully in complex environments Whether you're driving a new initiative or growing an existing product, this conversation will give you practical strategies to keep things moving forward. Come connect, learn, and swap stories with fellow product professionals. \-\-\- Food and drinks will be provided by Switchbox, our generous host. Free parking will be available at the front and back sides of the Switchbox Office.