The International Software and Electronic Entertainment Exhibition 2006 (ISGAF) opened this morning in Hanoi, albeit with a limited presence of independent foreign companies. However, the participation of domestic games, even in their testing phase, is seen as a positive sign.
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A corner of the ISGAF 2006 exhibition. Photo: Hoang Ha |
After the opening ceremony concluded, many visitors entering the exhibition area were quite surprised to find that Hall A1 of the Giang Vo Exhibition Center still had a significant amount of empty space. The International Software and Electronic Entertainment Exhibition 2006 features around 20 booths, including those from game providers, educational centers, universities, and media introductions. There were far too few domestic software companies and computer manufacturers present here.
Explaining the absence of foreign online game companies promoting independently at ISGAF 2006, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thuan, a representative of the organizing committee, stated: “Major corporations in the online gaming sector, such as Kingsoft and KIPA, had agreed to participate with us. However, due to time constraints, the organizers could not secure a venue for another time of the year.”
The most impressive and attractive booths belonged to leading online game providers in Vietnam, such as FPT Telecom with MU and the Siege War event, VinaGame showcasing Legend of Martial Arts, and VDC presenting Silkroad. Additionally, there were two domestically produced games, Thoi Loan and Tintun, branded under FPT.
Thoi Loan is an online game developed around characters and stories from Vietnamese legends like Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh. Tintun is a shooting game featuring characters designed in the traditional attire of the Vietnamese people.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Lan, director of an IT company in Hanoi, attended the ISGAF exhibition due to his passion for online games but expressed dissatisfaction with what he observed. “I hoped to see detailed game demonstrations so that when I left each booth, I would have a clear understanding of that game. However, the game providers have not achieved this,” Mr. Lan expressed.
Nevertheless, most of the visitors this morning were young people, including students. Many appeared quite enthusiastic. “I think everything is fantastic. This is a great first-time event. I registered to compete in the gaming tournament and hope to win,” said Tran Viet Hung, a student from Eastern University.
Nguyen Tri Dung, a student from the Military Technical Academy, also agreed: “I really like it. I arrived early to wait for the doors to open. The booths are impressive and incredibly captivating.”
The organizers hope that this event will create a bridge for domestic and international software and game companies to meet, exchange experiences, and significantly boost the development of these two potential industries, with an estimated participation of around 15,000 people.
The ISGAF exhibition will run until May 29. Within the framework of the program, the VietGames 2006 awards ceremony will take place on the evening of May 28.
Nguyen Hang
