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*Visitors walk through the entrance of the HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair 2013, which kicked off on Jan 7, 2013 and lasts for four days. (APD/Li Meng'ge). *
Asia's largest toys fair that opened Monday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center features new trends in the industry as traditional childish toys have gotten the new name "Kidult" and taken on a high-tech edge.
The four-day Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair 2013, held by the city's Trade Development Council (HKTDC), highlights the new Kidult World, tapping into the booming adult toys market. "Kidult", a simple amalgamation of "kid" and "adult", represents a growing market trend where grown-ups become big buyers and players for traditionally childish toys.
Experts said during an interview by China Daily that the kidult market accounted for roughly 15 percent of the total toy market in the United States last year, and there is an increasing number of toy companies around the world targeting particularly at adult users.
Hobby goods, magic items, toy vehicles, and action figures are the main types of products in this year's "Kidult World". A British company unveiled its latest line of products including "a mysterious light" which can appear and vanish at will, as well as a "Freaky Body Collection" featuring the stretching ear, the incredible living hand, and the floating eyeball. These items attracted much attention from potential buyers at the fair.
*The exhibitor demonstrates the magic tricks of the "Freaky Body Collection" at the fair. (APD/Li Meng'ge). *
War game equipments like defense rifles and pocket guns, and toy car models are also favorite adult toy items. A Hong Kong company showcased the Hongqi (Red Flag) Limousine Model, the first luxury car brand designed and manufactured in China and used solely as the military inspection car.
Buyers discuss prices of the toy guns with manufacturers at the fair. (APD/Li Meng'ge).
*A local Hong Kong company displays the Hongqi Limousine Mini-model, the first luxury car brand designed and manufactured in China and used solely as the military inspection car. (APD/Li Meng'ge). *
Another Hong Kong company exhibited a set of action figures of the United States Marine Cops (USMC). The figures, equipped with a variety of gears like rifles, pistols, helmets and assault vests, have fully rounded three dimensional bodies with vivid facial expressions.
The toy fair displays the action figures of the United States Marine Cops (USMC)
(Photo from the organizer website).
This year's fair also features high-tech toys such as an iPhone-augmented reality toy gun, smartphone-controlled battle tank, and iPad compatible board. Thanks to a new technology called "augmented reality," players can now not only control toy helicopters, tanks and guns with iPhone or iPad, but also battle virtual aliens superimposed on reality surroundings through the real-time camera.
*Salesgirl demonstrates the Augmented Reality (AR) toy gun with game app(APD/Li Meng'ge). *
*Salesgril shows the iPad controlled toy helicopter which can blow bubbles when pressing the button. (APD/Li Meng'ge). *
Hong Kong has been holding its annual toy fair for 38 years. Around 1900 exhibitors from 41 countries and regions set up booths in this year's fair to meet with potential business partners. Last year's fair attracted a record number of over 35,800 buyers from around the world.
