Token2049 Dubai: Beach Escapes, Cringe-Free Networking & $60 Swim Shorts

Just got back from four days in Dubai for Token2049. I wasn’t there for the alpha, the airdrops, or to pitch on every rooftop. I went to hang with friends, soak in the vibe, and maybe meet a few people I knew from X in real life. Spoiler: mission accomplished. Sort of.

Why I Went (And Why You Might Too)

I didn’t go for business. I went because my brother and my friend Omar were going — people I speak to online daily but rarely see in person.

For me, that was enough of a reason. Web3 gaming networking? That was way down the list, and it turns out that was probably the right call.

The gaming presence was minimal, especially compared to how dominant RWA and GambleFi felt.

Cringe-Free Networking: Football & Golf

The highlight? Football. Twice.

One pitch was designed for indoor cricket (we played anyway), the other was a half-shelter sauna disguised as a sports venue.

But it was perfect — low-pressure, social, no one handing pitching the new AAA game with $0 funding between headers.

Golf with Immutable was the same: a shared activity, good chats, no forced “Let’s collab bro” energy.

These kinds of events work. You don’t need to fake interest in someone’s project while holding a warm Red Bull — you just play, talk, and connect like normal humans.

The worst events? The ones where a BD guy clearly has a Telegram quota to hit. “Hi I’m _____. Our project is ____. What’s your TG?” Copy-paste, move on.

The Side Quest Side Quest

One event from Stiqy tried a real-life quest system. Wasn’t sure how it’d go, but because I didn’t know anyone there (and it leaned more infra than gaming), i gave it a try.

Ended up questing all night, collecting QR codes, winning a cool teddy and some t-shirts.

Weirdly though, most booths just handed over the QR with no pitch or context.

I expected to be farmed. I was ready to be farmed. But they just QR’d me and moved on.

Nightlife, Noise & a Strategic Beach Exit

I skipped the night events and went for tea instead — no regrets. One side event I did try to attend was near the main venue, but between the traffic, the restaurant smell, and the sheer noise, I bailed.

Ended up at the beach instead, which was somehow both impulsive and expensive — I paid $60 for swim shorts.

Worth it though. Sea was great. Sand was hot. Need more of this next time.

The Gaming Scene (Or Lack Of)

If you're in Web3 gaming like me, this wasn't the place to discover new projects. I didn’t meet any teams I hadn’t already heard of.

Most gaming talk felt outdated — like reading Twitter threads from six months ago, just said out loud with a mic.

If you were there to build BD in gaming, it probably would’ve been tough. Not a lot of traction, not a lot of target audience. But if you were there to strengthen existing relationships, then yeah — it was valuable.

TLDR

For me, it was worth it. I got to spend real time with people I value, even if I missed some folks like my boy Mos and got hit with a migraine right before the G3 Games Night — which I’d helped set up but had to dip from before it started.

If you’re going for ROI, think twice. But if you can afford it and you're going for the vibes? Go. Just don’t expect to close deals — expect to play football in a cricket cage and come home with a sunburn and a stuffed teddy.