Hello, my name is Lee Hana. While I usually work at a Japanese animation studio, I am also dedicated to indie game development and participating in events. This time, I would like to share the atmosphere of the Taipei Game Show 2025, where I participated for the first time as a developer and publisher, along with the various experiences I felt there.
The Taipei Game Show I attended this time was actually our company's first participation in an overseas game show, and it was an exhibition filled with mixed expectations and anxieties.
We decided to participate to promote our rhythm action game "Momo to Crash", which is set to be released soon, and our new title "Mandragora Seeker in the CREEP ZONE", which was released on Steam on the day of the event. While our company has participated in major game events in Japan, such as BitSummit Drift and Tokyo Game Show, exhibiting overseas was completely uncharted territory, so I couldn't help but feel nervous.
However, before I could shake off that nervousness, what surprised me the most upon arriving at the venue was its scale and energy. The number of attendees surpassed that of domestic events, and the atmosphere throughout the venue was a palpable reflection of the vibrancy of the Asian gaming market.
As I mentioned earlier, I had experienced large game shows in Japan, but the energy at this Taipei Game Show was beyond my imagination. What stood out the most was the proactive participation of local gamers. Those who visited our booth made an effort to communicate actively, mixing English and Japanese despite the language barrier. We also did our best to communicate using gestures. The users who actually played our game left thoughtful feedback and opinions on the sticky notes we provided.
The various opinions written on the sticky notes were filled with sincere feedback and heartfelt advice about the game, going beyond mere impressions. Through this, I was able to feel the high level of game understanding and passion of Taiwanese gamers.
The Taipei Game Show featured large booths, but the one that caught my eye the most was undoubtedly Nintendo's exhibition booth. With a scale 1.5 times larger than the previous year, it boasted a grandeur reminiscent of a theme park. Countless attendees continuously visited the Nintendo booth, allowing me to feel Nintendo's presence in Taiwan.
The Indie House area we participated in also had a unique charm. Developers from around the world, including Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Sweden, showcased their diverse and unique works. It was enjoyable just to walk around and see the exhibits, but the most valuable experience was being able to interact with developers who love games, transcending nationalities.
I thought it was cool.
but a theme park.
This scale is no longer just a game booth but a theme park.
I thought the sticky note logo set up at Indie House was really cool.
Although there were no official meetings, I was able to greet many local stakeholders on-site. What impressed me the most was the high level of game understanding among Taiwanese users. Despite the language barrier, it was striking to see how they grasped and enjoyed the essential fun of games.
In particular, their high understanding and interest in Japanese culture was noteworthy. This could be seen as a very good sign for the future entry of games developed in Japan into the Taiwanese market. Above all, it became an opportunity that motivates us to create games that can receive such positive reactions from so many users.
Participating in an overseas game show for the first time was a valuable experience that showed us the potential of new markets. It reaffirmed the universal appeal of games that transcends language and cultural differences.
The perspective gained from this experience will serve as an important guideline for our future game development and expansion into overseas markets. The passion and deep understanding of games among Taiwanese gamers have been a great motivation, and it was a precious opportunity to experience firsthand how dynamic and full of potential the Asian game market is. We are likely to continue relying on the Taipei Game Show in the future.
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