■Carrie Chan／Jasmin Zhuang
Jointly organized by Haw Ji Co., Ltd., (GTI Magazine), Taiwan Amusement Machine Association (TAMA) and Taiwan Digital Entertainment Association (TDEA), the 26th GTI Asia Taipei Expo was grandly inaugurated at A Zone, Hall 1, Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), Taipei City on April 25th.  

Lots of industrial leaders attended the opening ceremony, including Mr. Tsai Chiming, Chairman of TAMA, Wei Ming shan, Chairman of TDEA, Mr. Zhuang Shuohan, Vice-chairman of Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Mr. Peng Qing-He, the Chief of Gift Claim Vendor Association of Taiwan, and Mr. Yeh Zhen-Kun, Chairmen of Taiwan Family Entertainment Development Association.

Mr. Tsai Chiming and Mr. Wei Ming shan addressed at the opening ceremony

Mr. Tsai expressed that “GTI Asia Taipei Expo is an international show. It is said that sometimes a chance will come when you least expect it. In these three years, Taiwan has sprung up thousands of parent-child vending machines, which have filled lots of unoccupied spaces in Taiwan. In the future, I hope that Taiwan will be better and better. And wish you all brisk business and healthy bodies.

Mr. Wei also said, “Though the industry was not good over the previous three years, which made us linger at the edge, we did not give up and still keep moving on and growing. We've seen the industry grow over the last three years. After the Sino-US trade war, I believe that under our effort, the export output will reach a new high. And in the next four years, Taiwan manufacturing will be worth expecting.

This year, the show attracted over 50 exhibitors from Japan, Philippines, China, Ireland, and Italy. They are International Games System (IGS), Pao Kai Electronic Enterprise, Saint-Fun International, Taiwan Yuanmei, Wee Chin Electric Machinery(Weche), Boller Technology, Youal-Jifh Enterprise, Bingotimes Digital Technology, Pan Asia Amusement, Asia Amusement Machine, Yuan Gong Enterprise, Feng Yung Cheng (FYC), Borden Technology, Lon Sheng Enterprise, Kwang Yi Technology Development, Lu-Hao Technology, Huai I Precision, VAR Live, Taiwan Dapeng Network, Splendid Future International Company, Markhor Games, Feng Yi Fu Technology, Min-Yan Technology (T.S.K), Seven Fairy, Jin Sheng Electronic, Jyuee Ang, Sheng Yang Electronics Development, G-Sheen Enterprise, Icing International Enterprise, KKK Development, A-Lin Electronic Trading, International Currency Technologies (ICT), Skyinn Technology, Cheer Jingle Electric Machinery, Chan Ming Electronic, Sensor Enterprise, Zhuoman, Guangzhou Cowboy Recreation Equipment, YCCT Opto-Electronic Tech, Yi Cheng, LOEI Development, Aming, Obvious Choice LP, Jamma (Italy), PAExpo (Philippines).

The show was themed by “integrating into a new chapter, heading to the future”. Though the development of the global game & amusement industry is imbalance and the needs of the market drop down, GTI Asia Taipei Expo still covered various kinds of products, including video games, online games, VR/AR, inflatables, children’s amusement equipment, sports amusement equipment, games’ R&D, solutions, parts and other related products. It hoped to expand the diversity of amusement, and focused on the internationalization and quality to create a worldwide “name card” - MIT, and leads the industry to follow a new format of pan-amusement.

In 2018, Taiwan’s game & amusement industry was valued at over NT$30 billion, and the whole game industry reached about NT$58 billion, with an annual growth rate of 10%. Also, the venture investment heat for Taiwan crane machines also drew to a close, and the market need began to fall. As a result, lipstick machine and capsule machines become new hits. Local manufacturers such as Seven Fairy, Pan Asia Amusement, Kwang Yi, Guangzhou Zhuoman exhibited various kinds of lipstick machine and attracted numerous buyers to purchase. It has been learned that lipstick machines are listed as non-video game products in Taiwan. Therefore, they are not restricted by the specific locations and can be freely placed. Currently, the quantity of lipstick machines in central Taiwan is rising sharply, and most of them are taking up a growing share of shipments from Panyu Guangzhou to Taiwan. What’s more, gashapon machines have also entersed into AEON and other large-scaled shopping malls to build up a mature business growth model. Sightseeing and recreation also accounts for more than 50 percent of sales.

With its diversified game & amusement format, GTI Asia Taipei Expo brought novel changes to the industrial format for buyers. It gathered masses of professional buyers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Dubai, Philippines, Bulgaria, Peru, Thailand, Mexico, United States, Israel, Singapore, Puerto Rico, Yemen, Vietnam, Pakistan and so on.

Also, exhibitor activities were full of variety. IGS held 36 large video games including “Monster Eye 2”, as well as 5 classic online games to make you enjoy the new amusement experiences. Wee Chin brought the latest pinball machine and popcorn machine to show you “the best”. Feiloli organized Honey Wars, a knockout match of “Clear Eyes and Nimble Hands”, Wu Mar Harng & Paokai issued the initial competition of novel basketball game, Saint-Fun International opened the 10th audition of “China Cup”, Yuanmei conducted a lucky draw and dancing performance, Bingotimes Digital held an interactive game experience “Lord Of The World”, and Boller Technology provided a new games experience and live lucky draw to all the attendees. All of these were a hit on the show floor.

On the evening of April 25th, the organizers held a networking dinner. Exhibitors such as IGS, Feiloli, Paokai, Saint-Fun, industrial leaders such as Mr. Zhang Zhenghua, the President of Shaanxi Performance Entertainment Industry Association, together with international buyers from Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, USA gathered together.

Originating in 1993, GTI Asia Taipei Expo has been held for 26 editions. Committed to market-oriented goal and focusing on exports while connecting to Southeast Asia and expanding to the world, GTI Asia Taipei Expo is a historic and representative show. It is a great platform for the industrial companies to go abroad. Recently, with the development of the industry and the prosperity of the Taiwan market, the show has attracted more and more attention from all walks of life, and every media promotes the show when it opens. Next year, the show will be held on April 16-18 at A Zone, Hall 1, Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), Taipei City again. See you next year!
※The article is published in the GTI Magazine Issue No. 175 in May 2019