Tokyo Game Show: Take a Look Back at the History
History of Tokyo Game Show
Welcome to the Next Stage.
One of the biggest video game expos or conventions in history is going to take the world by storm straight from Japan. Nippon, are you ready for the Tokyo Game Show 2018? Tokyo Game Show, or most commonly known as TGS, is usually held in the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. This expo mainly focuses on the upcoming Japanese games by different Japanese game companies. However, there are some international video game developers present at the expo to market their upcoming games and products. Just like Gamescom in Germany, Tokyo Game Show allows the public to attend during the final two days. This expo is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publication, Inc.
Of course, Tokyo Game Show has a rich history as one of the most successful and leading gaming expos in the gaming industry. Now, let’s look back at the historical background of this expo.
The first ever Tokyo Game Show was held on August 22 to 24, 1996. Even though it was the first time to hold a gaming expo in the Eastern Asian nation, the attendance had a massive response. Over 109,000 attendees and 87 participating companies with a total of 365 games. In the past years of Tokyo Game Show, the show was held twice a year. One in Spring and one in Autumn starting in 1997. However, this format was discontinued in 2002. Since then until now, the show is only held once a year.
Innovation stormed the 2005 Tokyo Game Show held from September 16 to 18, 2005. For the first time, Microsoft held its own press conference on September 15, 2005. It was one day before the official day of the expo. And for the first time, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was shown to the public for in form of a trailer. With the huge game title, Hideo Kojima demonstrated the MGS4 demo on the Konami Stage.
As the Tokyo Game Show continues to launch every year, the attendees were also increased from 185,030 in 2009, 207,647 in 2010, 222,668 in 2011, 223,753 in 2012, and 270, 197 in 2013. The 2013 Tokyo Game Show is the most attended Tokyo Game Show in history.
Tokyo Game Show 2018 is fast approaching and it’s coming this September 20 to 23. As of July 3rd, there are 366 exhibiting companies participates and 2166 booths to be installed. In this year is the highest numbers of booths as it surpasses the 2009 TGS and the 2015 TGS. The reason for the increase in booths it’s because of the rising number of big offerings for smartphone games. With the increase, more than 20% from the last year’s TGS that stands for the general exhibition and smartphone games. As of this moment, there are exhibitors from 30 countries and regions around the world to showcase their upcoming games and products to the consumers, especially the gaming community.
Here at Playasia, we are going to cover the Tokyo Game Show! Plus, we are one of the participants of this year’s TGS. Yes, get ready for some raffles and demos to try out some of our PLAY Exclusives on our booth. So, are you attending the TGS 2018? If you are, see you on our booth, folks!
Booth number: @ Hall 9 / Stand B33
PS: Thanks, Wikipedia and TGS for the information.
By the way, have you heard about the rebranding that we have undergone to give you, our valued readers, the fresher take moving forward and serving you better? You can check the news here.
And in line with the Tokyo Game Show, we are happy to announce that the re-branded #1 Japanese and Asian games importer (Oh! That’s us!) will be taking part and showing off our new assets. Feel free to join us there by visiting us at Hall 9 / Stand B33 on September 20-23, 2018.
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