UAE Gaming Startup iBLOXX Studios Raises $5.4M for Multiplayer Expansion

Dubai-based iBLOXX Studios has raised $5.4 million (AED 20 million) to accelerate the development and global launch of its multiplayer title StrayShot, the company said. Founded in 2021 and operating from the DMCC Free Zone and the DMCC Gaming Centre, the studio plans to use the capital to finalise development, expand marketing, prepare console releases and support live operations and ongoing technical enhancements.

"The investment comes as part of a broader trend of capital flowing into the Middle East’s gaming and interactive entertainment ecosystem," wrote Himanshu Sharma for uaestartupstory.com, summarising the financing in a February 17, 2026 report.

What iBLOXX Studios is building

StrayShot is a third-person mobile shooter currently in closed beta that blends competitive multiplayer with blockchain-enabled features. iBLOXX has emphasised accessibility, optimising the title for both low-end and high-end devices while incorporating player-owned in-game assets and digital economies that allow users to own, trade and manage items inside the game environment.

• Core game modes: Battle Royale, Team Deathmatch and Extraction.
• Platform ambitions: mobile-first with plans to launch on major platforms, including consoles.
• Technology focus: multiplayer infrastructure, persistent economies and post-launch live operations.

Strategic use of the funding and partnerships

iBLOXX Studios said the $5.4 million will be directed toward finalising StrayShot’s development, expanding global marketing efforts and preparing the title for release on additional platforms. Post-launch, the funding will support live operations, ongoing game updates and technical enhancements intended to improve player engagement and retention.

• Partners and ecosystem links: Dubai Future Foundation, Xsolla and the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.
• Program participation: Dubai Program for Gaming 2033.
• Operational base: DMCC Free Zone and the DMCC Gaming Centre in Dubai.

The studio’s positioning — combining multiplayer shooter design with blockchain-enabled asset ownership — reflects a broader industry push by emerging developers to differentiate through persistent online worlds and player-driven economies. Mobile gaming remains a major segment of interactive entertainment globally, and iBLOXX is betting that accessibility plus decentralised ownership models can help it compete with established studios.

Outlook

With the new funding, iBLOXX plans to move StrayShot out of closed beta and into wider markets, backed by expanded marketing and platform launches that include consoles. The company’s continued collaboration with local and regional partners signals an intention to scale beyond the UAE while leveraging domestic programmes and authorities to accelerate growth.

If development and live-ops plans proceed as outlined, iBLOXX aims to use the capital to sustain player retention through ongoing updates and technical improvements, positioning StrayShot as a competitive multiplayer offering that blends traditional shooter mechanics with blockchain-based ownership and trading.