Gaming geeks finds a second heaven at TWTC

Local and international computer and console game developers will be out in force at the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) this weekend, when the hugely popular Taipei Game Show (TGS, 台北國際電玩展) once again transforms the TWTC's main exhibition hall into a grandiose gaming parlor.

Organized by the Taipei Computer Association (TCA, 台北電腦公會) -- a non-profit organization established by leading representatives of Taiwan's IT industry -- the annual event is the second largest international PC/console game show in Asia.

The TGS attracts an average of 200,000 paying visitors and industry professionals alike from both home and abroad. And contrary to popular belief, a vast majority of those who visit the show are not geeky spotty faced male teenagers. According to figures provided by the TCA, 51 percent of TGS visitors are aged between 22 and 40 years old.

Now in its 15th year the TGS not only plays a critical role in promoting Taiwan's indigenous electronic entertainments industry, but has also become one of the most favored of such events in the Asia region for new product launches and as a gateway for access.

This year, representatives from over 150 of Asia's game developers will be gathering inside the TWTC to display their wares in 1,500 booths for the four-day show. As has become the norm, many of the booths will once again be awash with monitors, TV screens, PC's, consoles, paddles and joysticks.

Whatever your passion, be it realistic first-person shooters, mythical strategy games, crash-and-burn driving simulations, or more refined puzzle solving games, then there is guaranteed to be a booth at which you can hone your specific gaming skills. While console and PC games of all genres and formats will be showcased, the focus of year's event will be the impending release of the third generation of console gaming systems.

With the upcoming launch of the X-Box 360 next month and the PS3, which is slated for release at the end of the year, both Sony and Microsoft will be taking over large amounts of floor space to promote their latest high-tech, high-octane gaming consoles.

Here gamers can get to grips with all the latest in X-Box and PS gaming technology, against AI opponents, or playing on-line via super fast ADSL connections against other gamers located in the TWTC, across Taiwan and the rest of the world.

For the more sophisticated gamer looking for some less violent forms of relaxation, gaming pioneer AV Artisan will be present and promoting its adult-oriented games, such as mahjong. And for gamers on the move developers like XPEC Entertainment and telecommunications giant Chunghwa Telecom will be on hand to provide all the necessary information and software needed to enjoy the latest in mobile phone related gaming.

Along with offering visitors the chance to play the latest games, local computer hardware and gaming companies will be offering cut-price deals on everything ranging from games, gaming equipment, game related paraphernalia and even PC hardware.

For hardcore gaming geeks there will be an opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of game manufacturing at a special feature focusing on digital animation and the edutainment software that is employed by developers of the latest gene-ration of PC/console games.

Gamers' notes:

What: Taipei Game Show (台北國際電玩展)