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Why You Should Care About the Tokyo Game Show

Why You Should Care About the Tokyo Game Show

One of the biggest events in gaming is happening right now. The 2016 Tokyo Game Show is a go! Did you know that? Yes? No? I’m hoping your answer was yes, because this is 20-year-old convention at which many of the biggest Japanese games are announced, elaborated on, and shown. In fact, it could even be the biggest convention you aren’t following! 268,446 people attended in 2015, and 2016 could break that figure!

The Tokyo Game Show is always preceded by amazing press conferences, and TGS 2016 is no exception. Sony’s 2016 PlayStation Press Conference kicked it off at 4pm JT on September 13, and there was even an official English language livestream . That should be a hint as to how big of a deal it is. We learned about loads of new games, like Gundam Versus , New Danganronpa V3 , Musou Stars , Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary (aka a new Fortune Street ), Earth Defense Force 5 , and SaGa: Scarlet Grace . Release dates, some even for the west, were revealed for games like Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 , Nier: Automata , New Hot Shots Golf , and Nioh . It was an extraordinary event with new footage and information flying out, setting the stage for TGS 2016.

All of the biggest Japanese game developers come to the Tokyo Game Show. Sony has 33 PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR, and PlayStation Vita games at its booth. Sega has six major games there, like Persona 5 , Yakuza 6 , and Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice . Square Enix’s lineup includes 20 games, like Final Fantasy XV , Nier: Automata , and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided . Bandai Namco has 21 console and handheld games there, not even counting their mobile titles. Capcom had four games there, with Resident Evil VII leading the charge. Even Konami, a company cutting back, showed up with an array of games. Every company is going all out this year, as they do every year.

Perhaps that’s because companies know they need to go all out if they attend. See, TGS 2016 shows up E3 quite a bit. This is a four day event, compared to E3’s two. Like Gamescom, the first two days are industry only, while the last two allow the public to come in and enjoy the fun. TGS 2016 is letting everyone join in and celebrate their love of gaming. Which means there have to be more impressive presentations and better content to please people of all experience levels. It has to be a more comprehensive experience.

Why You Should Care About the Tokyo Game Show

This means the Tokyo Game Show can feel more like a real convention than an event like E3, which is more professional. Game companies will sell exclusive merchandise to attendees. Swag is given away at demo stations, more than you’d see at E3. There are stage shows and special events to draw the attention and eye, resulting in a more entertaining atmosphere. And, coming back to those demo stations, they’re everywhere. Granted, some lines are going to be long, but attendees do get to see and try a great many things if they’re patient enough. It’s welcoming.

The Tokyo Game Show is a big deal. This is one of those events where you’re getting a great glimpse at titles you’ll probably be playing in the next year or two. After all, some of the biggest game developers and publishers are Japanese. This is a chance to look to Japan to see what sorts of experiences you’ll eventually get to enjoy, enviously wishing you were among the crowds getting to test out titles. Don’t let this convention pass you by.

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