Taipei Game Show
| Taipei Game Show | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Video Games |
| Venue | Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center |
| Location(s) | Nangang District, Taipei |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Inaugurated | February 21, 2003 |
| Most recent | February 24, 2025 |
| Next event | February 16, 2026 |
| Attendance |  370,000+ (2025) |
| Organized by | Taipei Computer Association |
| Website | tgs |
Taipei Game Show (Chinese: 台北國際電玩展; pinyin: Táiběi Gúojì Diànwán Zhǎn), commonly known as TGS, is an annual video game trade show and consumer exhibition held at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center in Taipei, Taiwan. It is organized by the Taipei Computer Association and typically takes place in late January or early February each year, coinciding with the Lunar New Year in Taiwan shopping season. Since its inception in 2003, the event has grown into one of Asia’s largest gaming conventions, attracting major publishers, indie developers, hardware manufacturers, and fans from around the world. According to Focus Taiwan, the attendance exceeded 370,000 visitors with 346 companies from 30 countries in 2025.[1] Taipei Game Show is recognized by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) and has been praised as a key entry point for international developers seeking to access the Sinophone gaming markets in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China.
Overview
Taipei Game Show features two main exhibition areas: the B2C Zone (Business to Consumer), open to the public with playable demos, esports tournaments, cosplay competitions, and stage events; and the B2B Zone (Business to Business), which serves as a trade platform for publishers, developers, and distributors seeking partnerships. An Indie House section was added in 2013 to showcase independent games, fostering networking between indie studios and global investors. As of 2025, the Indie House section is recognized as Asia's biggest indie game exhibition.[2]
Major industry players such as Bandai Namco Entertainment, Sega, Capcom, PlayStation, Xbox, and MiHoYo have participated in past editions, alongside prominent Taiwanese companies including Softstar Entertainment and XFLAG Taiwan. International pavilions—representing regions such as Japan, South Korea, Europe, and North America—are a recurring highlight, illustrating the show’s global reach.[3]
History and Growth
The inaugural Taipei Game Show was held in 2003 with approximately 50,000 visitors. Attendance and international recognition have grown steadily over the years.[4]
- In 2017, the event drew over 311 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions, with a total of 310,000 visitors over five days.[5]
- The 2021 edition adopted a hybrid format due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, combining limited in-person attendance with livestreamed showcases and online business matching.[6]
- By 2023, Taipei Game Show had returned to full scale, welcoming 251 exhibitors from 26 countries and over 350,000 visitors, reinforcing its position as Taiwan’s flagship gaming event and a significant fixture on the Asian gaming calendar.[7]
Notable Features
- Esports Tournaments: The show regularly hosts professional esports matches and invitational events, with live broadcasts on streaming platforms and local television.[8]
- Indie House: A dedicated showcase for independent games, often with developer talks and award ceremonies such as the Indie Game Award, which recognizes outstanding creativity and innovation.
- Asia Pacific Game Summit (APGS): A conference held alongside the B2B Zone, featuring panels, keynotes, and networking sessions focused on trends in game development, marketing, and monetization strategies across Asia.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Ho, Hsiu-ling; Lo, James (23 January 2025). "2025 Taipei Game Show opens with 346 vendors in attendance". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ McEvoy, Sophie (28 January 2025). "Taipei Game Show 2025 breaks attendance record with 370,000 visitors". Gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Nakhiengchanh, Michael (24 January 2025). "Taipei Game Show features over 350 titles". Taiwan News. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Phipps, Gavin (22 February 2003). "2025 Taipei Game Show opens with 346 vendors in attendance". Taipei Times. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Yang, Olivia (24 January 2017). "2017 Taipei Game Show Shines in Booming Industry". The News Lens. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Taipei Game Show 2021 Drew to a Successful Close as 2021's First Virtual and Physical Hybrid Game Show". reimarufiles.com. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Taipei Game Show 2023 wrapped up with over 300,000 visits". animationxpress.com. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Lin, Ines; Wang, Sherri (8 January 2025). "Taipei Game Show 2025: spotlight on AI, global collaboration, and six key gaming trends". DigiTimes Asia. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ Tolentino, Percy (17 July 2025). "Taipei Game Show Launches Indie Global Tour & Opens Entries for Indie Game Awards 2026". MSN. Retrieved 22 July 2025.