Successful 2010 edition for GTI Asia China Expo

There were as many as 63 new exhibitors this year. Major Chinese game machine developers and distributors, of course, didn’t miss out on the largest annual event of its kind in China.  Those exhibitors that participated in last year’s GTI Asia China Expo all had significantly enlarged booths this year, making the number of this year’s exhibits greatly increase.

Compared with last year, the biggest characteristic of this year’s GTI Asia China Expo was that all the exhibitors actively displayed newly developed games. There is a big gap between the new products of domestic exhibitors and major international companies on the overall level.  In fact, some new domestic products may even appear “unsophisticated”, but it is good to at least see a start.

The fact that the prices of original games developed by famous international companies are very high has become a bottleneck that cannot be broken through.  Also, the global end-user market has experienced changes.  Games are not only designed for hardcore players.  Those that bring the highest revenue to operators are casual players. Therefore, compared with top-tier games featuring cutting-edge technology, games that are simple and easy to play have a higher chance to become the most popular game at amusement centers.  

Compared with the intense competition of homogeneous exhibits at the 2009 event, the independently developed games exhibited this year have shown a wider variety and were not limited to a small number of popular items only.

International exhibitors
- JVL from Canada: Specializing in the development and production of multimedia touch screen entertainment machines, the exhibitor showcased countertops like Encore and Vortex as well as iTouchNET (ITN) and Media Stream.

- Delta Strike International from New Zealand: The firm is focused on manufacturing and distributing laser tag systems and its products are widely operated at FECs, entertainment centers and theme parks in New Zealand, Australia, the US, Indonesia, Switzerland and France.  Participating in GTI Asia China Expo for the first time this year, it displayed laser gun systems and equipment.  Delta Strike International attempted to explore the Chinese marketplace through participating in the event.

- Thailand-based Family Amusement: The company rented 2 booths and had five products on display including Octopus Ball, Funny Kid, and Panda & Friends.

- Namco Bandai from Japan: This was Namco Bandai’s first time participating in a trade event in China under the name of its Japan headquarters.  Occupying 14 booths, the firm exhibited its popular products such as One Piece: Grand Adventure, a video car racing game.  Its stand is one of the most crowds-drawing places at the show venue.

- Cosmic from Malaysia: The exhibitor mainly displayed games and cabinets and strongly promoted 6-player Fishing Daren, and Big Baby.  Cosmic has established a branch company, Mimile, in Panyu for seizing business opportunities offered by the expansive China market.

The success of this year’s GTI Asia China Expo not only highlighted the brand value of GTI, but also showed Chinese enterprises’ aggressive attempt to expand and the tremendous business opportunities offered by the China market. 

The next GTI EXPO, GTI Asia Taipei Expo 2011, will take place on May 5- 7 at the Taipei World Trade Center in Taipei City, Taiwan.  For more information, visit www.gtiexpo.com.tw or www.taiwanslot.com.tw.