New Taipei Promotes Silver eSports and Indigenous AI Programs, Unveiling New Dimensions of Diversity at the Taiwan Original Game Festival on August 15

Building on the summer eSports momentum, New Taipei City Government will host the 'Taiwan Original Game Festival' on August 15 at the New Taipei eSports Arena. Under the theme 'Ageless Players, One Gaming Community,' the event will feature exhibitions of Taiwan-made games, intergenerational eSports exchanges, and diverse interactive experiences, inviting families, youth, and senior citizens to enjoy the fun of gaming. Additionally, the city continues to expand the application of eSports through the launch of the 'Silver eSports Promotion Program' and the 'Indigenous AI Creation Course,' transforming eSports from competitive sport into everyday life and showcasing its potential in health, culture, and technology.

The Department of Economic Development stated that since establishing Taiwan’s first municipally operated 'New Taipei eSports Arena' in 2018, the city has advanced the eSports industry through three core pillars: venue development, talent cultivation, and event promotion. Through the 'New Taipei ACGE Industry Academy,' the city nurtures talent in animation, comics, games, and eSports, while hosting competitions and outreach events to boost public participation. Recently, the Taiwan International Video Game & eSports Expo concluded successfully at Taipei World Trade Center, where the 'New Taipei eSports POWER UP' pavilion attracted approximately 36,000 visitors, demonstrating New Taipei’s achievements in promoting the ACGE (Animation, Comics, Games, eSports) industry and establishing eSports as a vital platform connecting industry, education, and public engagement.

The 'Taiwan Original Game Festival' will take place on August 15 at the Sanzhong New Taipei eSports Arena, featuring original game teams such as YuuChun International, offering game showcases and trial experiences that allow the public to engage directly with local game development achievements and interact with creators. The event will also host a cross-generational exhibition match of the MOBA game 'G9: Special Forces Alliance,' pitting the senior team 'Shuangbei Xianghe Team' against the Ocean University of Science and Technology’s campus team, highlighting gaming’s power to bridge age gaps and foster intergenerational connection. Additional zones include a 'Street Fighter 6' experience area, a family party gaming zone, and a free-play area, creating an inclusive space for families, youth, and seniors.

The Department noted that the city’s ongoing promotion of age-inclusive eSports has drawn over 600 senior participants through the Silver eSports Program, enhancing digital literacy, healthy lifestyles, and social interaction through gameplay, teamwork, and competition. This year, the program collaborates for the first time with the Indigenous Affairs Department, extending courses to the Shulin and Xizhi Indigenous Cultural Health Stations, using 'Just Dance' interactive sessions to promote health and engagement. Furthermore, the New Taipei eSports Arena has launched the Indigenous AI Creation Course 'The New Hunting Ground: Using AI to Tell Tribal Visual Memories,' integrating generative AI tools with Indigenous cultural elements to guide participants in creative expression and explore new possibilities at the intersection of culture and digital technology.

The Department reminds the public that the 'Taiwan Original Game Festival' is free to attend. Visitors on the day can enjoy diverse gaming experiences, interactive activities, and limited-edition snacks. Registration is also open for August’s eSports programs (Silver eSports Promotion Course: https://pse.is/9egyx7, Indigenous AI Creation Course: https://pse.is/9egz9l). For more information, follow the 'Laiqu New Taipei Jingfa Bureau' and 'New Taipei eSports Arena' Facebook pages.