When the “Electronic Game Arcade Business Regulation Act” was announced in 2000, the 1st point in the act clearly pointed out the purpose of the legislation: “This Act is especially made to manage the electronic game arcade business, protect the peace in society, positive traditions, public safety, and citizens’ physical and mental health.”  This resulted in the phenomenon that the number of electronic game stores in Taiwan decreased from the previous great situation of 20,000 to 30,000 stores, to only just over 2,000 stores currently.  The scale of the market has reduced to only 10% within 10 years.

The industry operators have requested the managing institutions to modify the rules for so many years to attempt to save the diminishing electronic games industry in Taiwan. On the first day of this month, the representative of the co-association of Taiwan’s industries visited the Director General of the Department of Commerce in Ministry of Economic Affairs, Lee May.  This time, facing the appeal from operators, the official institution finally replied in a friendly manner.  Regarding the issues being argued in the industry, the official will give a confirmed answer at the end of May.

The “Electronic Game Arcade Business Regulation Act” is an industry act that highly focuses on management.  Under the situation in the past year, this strict rule of law was made due to the illegal behavior of just a few people.  That is quite unfair to those who run businesses legally.  The law has been created, and the negative image has become deeply rooted in society.  In 2007, though the Department of Commerce submitted modification acts in the pursuit to open the puzzle electronic game machine market, it was later blocked by Executive Yuan.  There was not even a chance for the modifications to be examined by The Legislative Yuan.

Time and environment are changing.  Korea, which was regarded as a competitor by Taiwan in the past, is now recognized as a developed country by the UN.  The government should think why Taiwan is now lagging behind its opponent that was once called one of the Four Asian Tigers along with Taiwan in the past.  What’s emerging now for Taiwan’s electronic game machines industry is that the negative image in people’s mind should be changed.  As a result, GTI Asia Taipei Expo has especially arranged a digital interactive experiencing hall and has acquired the patronage of 7 exhibitors with new games.  Although the number of patrons is not high, it’s at least a beginning.  In the future, we must still rely on the effort of the industry and its cooperation with the association and the authorities, only then is there a possibility to gradually change the current situation.  However, it is not an easy job.  The effort might also be spoiled because of several operators’ continuing illegal behavior.  Nevertheless, there is absolutely no opportunity if we don’t do anything.  Change starts from now!  The future of the electronic game industry depends on our endeavors.

※The article is published in the GTI Magazine Issue No. 141 in April, 2016