Let the games begin again at the Taipei Game Show exhibition

STAFF REPORTER

Fri, Feb 06, 2004 - Page 18

The annual Taipei Game Show (台北國際電玩展) starts at the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) this morning and local and international computer game developers will be out in force promoting the latest in both on- and off-line PC and console gaming.

Organized by the Taipei Computer Association (TCA, 台北電腦公會) -- a non-profit organization established in 1974 in order to represent the nation's then-developing computer industry and one that now boasts over 4,000 corporate members -- and sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (經濟部), the annual event attracts upward of 500,000 visitors over the four-day period and is the largest game show in the region.

Over 150 companies from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea will be displaying their wares in more than 1,000 booths for the duration of the four-day show. As well as offering visitors plenty of cut-price deals on games and gaming equipment, many of the booths will be stocked with monitors and TV screens where visitors can get the opportunity to try their luck at the latest games.

Whatever your gaming passion -- to kill-or-be-killed, total a high-end sports car or simple amble around mystic worlds solving puzzles -- there is guaranteed to be a booth at the games' show at which you can hone your specific gaming skills.

Some of the highlights of this year's show include Asia Pacific Online's booth where the company will be giving visitors the chance to play its latest on-line shoot 'em up, Survival Project (彩虹冒險). Front Fareast Industrial Corp will be trying to get the nation fit with its Go! Go! PoPo Ball, a dancing game that manufacturers states "helps people shed those excess pounds while having fun."

Insrea Game Center Corporation will be taking visitors to its latest mystery filled land, when it releases the on-line adventure game Mu. Microsoft will also be on hand with a booth especially dedicated to the X-Box console system and its latest games. Visitors are advised to arrive early at this booth, however, as it attracts large numbers of gamers, many of who spend hours in front of the screens.

The Taipei Game Show runs from today through Monday, Feb. 9 at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall I, which is located at 5 Xinyi Rd, Sec 5, Taipei (台北市信義路五段五號). The show is open from 9am until 5pm daily. Public access to the event will begin at noon today.