The G-EIGHT indie gaming expo in Taipei is rapidly solidifying itself as a significant event for showcasing Taiwanese gaming talent. In its second year, the convention, created by a trio comprising of a Taiwanese YouTuber Thomas (Ting-Tse) Chang, streamer 6tan (Kuang-Lei) Wang, and Rayark Inc co-founder Tony (Yung-Ting) Li, has already built a reputation for its vibrant atmosphere and support for both established and emerging developers. This includes a wide variety of projects, from the likes of Red Candle to fresh indie developers fresh out of university.
Emerging on a warm December weekend at Taipei Expo Park, G-EIGHT broke the mold of what is expected from a young event. Chang explained that the thriving local game scene in Taiwan was robust enough to support their vision of an expo that puts Taiwanese and indie games at the front and center, albeit on a smaller scale than traditional gaming conventions.
Attendees had the opportunity to try a myriad of games, such as the roguelike 'Storm Edge' from Shield Breaking Games and 'Minds Beneath Us,' a cyberpunk point-and-click adventure by Bear & Bone, which notably included a group of university graduates with fresh perspectives and creativity. Another standout was 'Beyond the Curtains' by Narrator, a tranquil game about observation that evolves based on what the player witnesses through a pixel-artstyle window.
Speaking to the developers, it became apparent that many preferred to target the Nintendo Switch for their upcoming releases, hinting at both the console's popularity in the region and the possible struggles indie studios encounter when attempting to partner with Sony.
In addition to the exposure it provides developers, G-EIGHT stands out with its acceptance and promotion of erotic games, a genre that's quietly flourishing on platforms like Steam. Significantly, the expo designated an 18-plus area exclusively for these games, which was adorned with explicit banners and attended by both male and female gamers, showcasing an inclusive audience for these titles.
Chang shared the provocative origins of the convention's name, 'G-EIGHT,' which includes a cheeky reference to Taiwanese slang. However, they have since worked to imbue the name with greater depth, with each letter representing an integral part of the convention's identity, including 'Gamers,' 'Entertainment,' and 'Taiwan.' 'Hee Hee (H)' humorously nods to the erotic games section, highlighting the importance of acknowledging this genre.
G-EIGHT represents a vital service to studios at an indie level by testing market reactions and making necessary adjustments before their game's launch. It operates in conjunction with another local event, the Taipei Game Show, to raise awareness about the Taiwanese gaming industry and its capacity for international recognition.
Chang optimistically pointed out the advantages of Taiwan's gaming developers, including their adaptability, language skills, and cost-effective production, which should lead to high-quality, globally recognized games every couple of years. He hopes G-EIGHT will become a platform to showcase these talents, attracting customers and influential industry figures that can propel these developers onto the international stage.
The convention has clearly established a space where the diverse aspects of the Taiwanese gaming scene, mainstream and niche, can flourish. G-EIGHT is set to return at the end of the year, promising further growth and exposure for Taiwan's indie game development community.
By fostering an inclusive and progressive environment, events like G-EIGHT not only celebrate local developers' current achievements but also secure their future within the global gaming industry. The dedication to up-and-coming talent, the embrace of marginalized genres, and the commitment to quality and innovation suggest a bright future for Taiwanese games on the world stage.
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