The Gaming Market in Taiwan

General Information

The Republic of China (Traditional Chinese: 中華民國, Pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó), known internationally either as the Republic of China (Taiwan) or simply Taiwan (named after the island that makes up the majority of its controlled territory), is a partially recognized state in East Asia. It formerly held a one-party system, broad diplomatic recognition, and control over all of China. It was one of the founding members of the United Nations and a permanent member of the UN’s Security Council.

Following the defeat of the ruling Kuomintang (aka, the Chinese Nationalist Party) by the Communist Party in the civil war of 1945–1950, the Republic of China retained only Taiwan and several small islands. It gradually lost international recognition, and in 1971, its UN seat was transferred to the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with 13 UN member states but has practical links with most countries worldwide through its representative offices.

As a result of a series of political reforms initiated by President Lee Teng-hui in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taiwan transformed into a democratic state.

The Taiwanese region covers an area of 36,197 square kilometers and includes the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, as well as several smaller islets. Taiwan is the largest of the islands, located at the edge of the Asian continental shelf between Japan and the Philippines. The island is approximately 394 kilometers in length and 144 kilometers at its widest point. Its coastline is relatively smooth, extending for 1,566 kilometers (including the islands of the Penghu archipelago). Taiwan is separated from the eastern coast of mainland China by the Taiwan Strait, which is from 130 to 220 kilometers wide and roughly equidistant from Shanghai and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. However, some of the islands in the Taiwan region, such as Kinmen and Matsu, are located in close proximity to the Chinese mainland.

Gaming Market

According to Newzoo, the Taiwanese gaming market boasts over 17.1 million gamers who possess high purchasing power and are willing to spend money on games. This represents a significant portion of the total population, considering that the island is home to only 24 million people. Mobile games are the most popular among Taiwanese gamers, largely due to the widespread use of smartphones and the presence of high-speed internet. The average revenue per paying player in Taiwan is the third-largest in the world.

Popularity of Casual Games

Like in other countries around the world, the pandemic has further accelerated market growth as increased time spent at home has driven up demand for video games. In 2020, the Taiwanese gaming market grew by 8%, largely due to the increase in the number of so-called “casual” gamers and the overall growing segment of the mobile gaming market.

It is projected that Taiwan will rank 14th in terms of total game revenue (USD 2.32 billion—Newzoo) in 2023 and 7th in the world in terms of revenue from mobile games. One of the key factors contributing to the rapid growth of the mobile gaming segment is casual gamers, who make up 70% of the total market (the remaining 30% are “hardcore” gamers). Mobile gamers are open to trying new games and typically spend less than one hour per gaming session, with 90% of mobile gamers playing between one and five games.

Number of Gaming Companies

A 2021 survey revealed that Taiwan is home to 211 gaming companies, including 124 companies involved in game development and 87 companies in the wider gaming industry. The total number of game studios increased slightly, by 2.4%, between 2020 and 2021.

The total number of employees in Taiwan’s gaming industry was estimated at 13,470 in 2021, representing a 2.5% increase since 2020. The number of employees in the game development sector amounted to 6,351 people, accounting for 47.1% of the total industry.

Statista Forecasts

According to forecasts, the revenue in Taiwan’s video game market will reach 2,088 million US dollars in 2023. Statista’s calculation methodology differs from that of Newzoo.

It is expected that the annual growth rate of revenue (CAGR 2023–2027) will be 6.87%, resulting in a projected market volume of 2,724 million US dollars by 2027.

In 2023, gamers will make up 40.5% of the population, with this proportion expected to increase to 45.2% by 2027.

Mobile games will remain the largest segment of the market in 2023, with a market volume of 1,203 million US dollars.

According to forecasts, the average revenue per user (ARPU) in games in Taiwan in 2023 will be 215.60 US dollars.

Player Profile

According to an online gaming survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in April 2022, approximately 82% of Taiwanese respondents aged 16 to 24 claimed to have played online games. The same survey revealed that about 47% of gamers from Taiwan play online games every day.

Approximately 48% of female gamers from Taiwan prefer to play casual games.

Gender Distribution of the Most Popular Online Game Genres in Taiwan (April 2022)

Most Popular Mobile Games in Taiwan

1. Lineage W
2. 星城Online-拳下開戰啦 (Star City Online – Let’s Fight)
3. 天堂M (A3: Still Alive)
4. Honkai: Star Rail
5. Garena RoV: RoV Day
6. 明星捕鱼-麻将明星3缺1 (Star Fishing – Mahjong Star 3 Missing 1)
7. Genshin Impact 3rd Anniversary
8. 月光魔盜團 (Moonlight Bandits)
9. 包你發娛樂城 – 莞婷包你發 (Bao Ni Fa Entertainment City – Guan Ting Bao Ni Fa)
10. 金好運娛樂城 – 枱子最多開獎最瘋 威鯨傳奇捕魚機 老虎機 (Golden Good Luck Entertainment City – Table Most Awards Most Crazy Whale Legend Fishing Machine Slot Machine)
11. 小妖問道 (Demon Yao Ask The Way)
12. 三國志・戰略版 (Three Kingdoms: Strategy Edition)
13. 勝利女神：妮姬 (Goddess of Victory: Nikke)
14. Candy Crush Saga
15. 滿貫大亨 (Full Man Tycoon)
16. 麻將 神來也麻將－台灣16張、麻雀 (Mahjong – God Comes to Mahjong-Taiwan 16, Mahjong)
17. Metal Slug: Awakening
18. Pokémon GO
19. 天堂2M (A3: Still Alive 2)

Culturalization for Taiwan