Tokyo Game Show

My first post on this blog, appropriately, is focused on the event which was my initial introduction to the beauty that is the Japanese event: Tokyo Game Show (TGS).  I first attended this event in 2009, and have subsequently attended TGS from 2015-2019, so that makes six times in total. 

Obviously, the focus of TGS is gaming.  However, since I first attended, the focus has widened quite a bit.  In 2009, console gaming was the big thing, followed by arcade gaming.  Recently, mobile (app) gaming has taken a big share of the TGS spotlight, along with consoles, and to a lesser extent virtual reality (VR) games.  Arcade games seem to have mostly dropped from this event, instead finding a home in other events such as the Japan Amusement Expo, which will hopefully also be discussed on these parts of the internets in the near future.  VR may very well be the next big thing, and it is certainly getting attention, but at the moment it remains a novelty compared to the more established gaming modes.

All the major international and Japan-based gaming companies (Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, DMM, Konami, Sega, etc etc) are well represented here, with massive decorated/energized/cosplayed exhibition areas where you get information on, and even test-play their latest game offerings.  And take a photo or two.

Sony PlayStation area

Speaking of cosplay... this is one aspect of TGS which makes it worth attending even if video games aren't your thing.  Cosplay is big in Japan, is done best in Japan, and TGS has an awful lot of it if you like to see cool costumes and take photos.  Just remember to ask permission... and sometimes would have to wait in line for the really popular ones.

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Amazing and friendly Atago cosplayer #tgs2018 #tokyogameshow2018 #atago #cosplayer #cosplay #japan #anime #videogames #picoftheday

A post shared by akiba16 (@akiba16) on Sep 22, 2018 at 3:09am PDT

If you have any degree of interest in video games, cosplay, or how Japan conventions are, Tokyo Game Show is definitely must-see material.  Game on!


Recommendations:
- Purchase ticket(s) in advance, either on the event website or at convenience stores
- Buy the "Supporters Ticket" if possible (limited quantities); not only does it come with some commemorative goods, but more importantly, it gets you past the thousands of general admission attendees and into the event 30 minutes before the actual opening.
- If attending with a general admission ticket, arriving at the event 1.5 to 2 hours after opening would be good for avoiding waiting in line to enter the event.
- Prepare/dress for a very warm climate; even though the temperatures outside may be cooling with the approach of fall, the venue gets very crowded and stuffy, especially around noon to early after noon.
- Saturday is the preferable day to attend; less crowded than Sunday.




Specifics:
Tokyo Game Show
Held every September, at Makuhari Messe
Trips available via Camp Zama MWR, and Yokota 374 FSS