Kotaku: Tgs

The Problem with PAX

Brian Crecente — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:00:00 MDT

The Penny Arcade Expo hit a few road bumps this year, discovering that their exponential growth, while slightly slowed, is still enough to cause problems with line-management and space issues.

But that's a problem easily solved, and the PA folks are all over it.

The bigger problem, as I see it, is in the expo's name and its association with Penny Arcade.

Penny Arcade Expo has the potential, the very likely potential, to become the one preeminent video game show in the country. It has the exuberant backing of developers and publishers, it has more than enough willing participants to go around and it has the blessing of the many folks who cover the gaming industry for a living.

But what it doesn't have is a neutral jumping off point. PAX has the words Penny Arcade in the title and while for me, and tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of people like me, that's a bonus, there are still lots of people out there who hate the strip, the people associated with it and anything whatsoever that has to do with Penny Arcade, Gabe, Tycho and, yes, even Fruit Fucker.

What this means is that they have a fractured potential audience. While most PAX attendees are unified by their love of gaming, they're more unified by their love of Penny Arcade. Sadly I think that means the show's potential audience will remain fractured as long as Penny Arcade is the central theme, preventing PAX from becoming the Games Convention or Tokyo Game Show of the United States.

There are some solutions. I think that it would be easy enough, especially with a second, east coast, PAX looming a few years away, to just change the name of the show and let it grow into its own entity. Another option, presented to me by one of many industry types I talked to about this during the show, is to just officially rename the show PAX. In other words remove the meaning behind the acronym and have it take on a meaning of its own. In a few decades, maybe just a few years, people would wonder what PAX stood for and why the show is called that.

While most of the people I spoke to at the show eventually came around to my way of thinking, acknowledging, no matter how grudgingly, that yes there are PA haters out there and nothing will ever get them to the show, I do wonder how true that really is.

How many among you didn't attend PAX strictly because it's the PENNY ARCADE expo as opposed to a video game expo? How many of you would have gone if it was called something else?

What I think everyone can agree on is that the U.S. needs a single video game show for the public, and not the many that now litter the gaming landscape. We need a TGS, a Leipzig. The real question is will E3 get it's act together and fill that shrinking void or will a show like PAX become the show to rule them all.

What Companies Will Be At TGS? These Ones.

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:00:00 MDT

The Leipzig Games Convention is over, and PAX is just around the corner. What's left? The Tokyo Games Show (and its STUPID slogan)! For those curious as to whom will be appearing, the complete list is after the jump. Read it if you like. If not, don't. • Academy of Art University
• ACQUIRE CORPORATION
• ARC SYSTEM WORKS Co., Ltd.
• Beijing Tidemark Consulting Co., Ltd.
• bushiroad
• CANADA GAMES
• Bug-Tracker
• Complex Games Inc.
• D-Box Technologies Inc.
• Deep Fried Entertainment Inc.
• Di-O-Matic, Inc.
• DTI Software Inc.
• Enzyme Testing Labs
• Fugitive Interactive Inc.
• GestureTek Inc.
• Hothead Games, Inc.
• Q8ISMobile Inc.
• Quazal Technologies Inc.
• Sarbakan Game Studio
• Side Effects Software Inc.
• Studio X Labs
• Wave Generation
• Wicked Studios Inc.
• CAPCOM CO., LTD.
• CNET Networks Japan K.K.
• costy
• D3PUBLISHER INC.
• DeNA Co., Ltd.
• ELECTRONIC ARTS K.K.
• ENTERBRAIN, INC.
• FromSoftware, Inc.
• G DATA Software K.K.
• GAMETECH CO., LTD.
• Geisha Tokyo Entertainment, Inc.
• HOLLAND PAVILION
• BGIn
• Control / Het Redactielokaal
• Dutch Game Garden
• Elements Interactive Mobile
• Ex Machina
• Grendel Games
• Khaeon Games
• Netherlands Foreign Trade Agency EVD
• NHL University
• NLGD Foundation
• Province of Fryslan
• Province of Utrecht
• Streamline Studios BV
• Triangle Studios
• Utrecht School of the Arts
• White Bear Holding BV Imma Games
• HUDSON SOFT CO., LTD.
• INTERCHANNEL
• IREM SOFTWARE ENGINEERING INC.
• ITPIA CO., LTD.
• JAPAN e-SPORTS ASSOCIATION PREPARATORY COMMITTEE
• KDDI CORPORATION
• KOEI CO., LTD.
• KONAMI
• Koubou Inazumagumi
• LEVEL-5 Inc.
• Marvelous Entertainment Inc.
• MATCHINGWORLD, Inc.
• Microsoft Co., Ltd.
• MORI GAMES CO., LTD.
• NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
• Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.
• NTT DOCOMO, Inc.
• PLANEX COMMUNICATIONS INC.
• PRIME SENSE
• Prometech Software, Inc.
• SEGA CORPORATION
• Silver Star Japan
• SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION
• Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
• SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
• TAITO CORPORATION
• Taiwan Game Pavilion
• FunTown World Limited
• Gemmy Planet, Inc.
• Goldrock Inc.
• Insrea Game Center Corporation
• Joymaster Inc.
• Lager Network Technologies Inc.
• Mega Net&Tech Co., Ltd.
• M-etel Co., Ltd.
• Winking Entertainment Corporation
• XPEC Entertainment Inc.
• Zeroplus Technology Co., Ltd.
• Taipei Hsien Computer Association
• Taiwan External Trade Development Council
&bull: TATA ELXSI LIMITED
• TECMO, LTD.
• TGL PLANNING INC.
• The Behemoth
• TOMY COMPANY, LTD.
• Transcosmos Inc
• Vuzix Corporation
• Yudo Inc.
TGS exhibitor list announced [VG247]

Alan Wake To Appear At TGS For Sure (Maybe)

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:20:26 MDT

Remedy's Alan Wake was noticeably absent at E3 2008, a void left even more dark and encompassing by the inclusion of titles like You're In The Movies. Fear not, fans of mysterious mysteries, as the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista title is going to make its next public appearance at Tokyo Game Show at the latest, according to one web site.

A Windows branded contest — one that actually dates back to March of last year(!) — tells us that we'll be seeing Alan Wake in Tokyo, at least in trailer form. It's entirely possible that we'll see the title as Games Convention, PAX or some other big gaming get together. But for now, pencil in a date with Mr. Wake for October. That's pencil, not pen.

"WOW" Be A Face In The Game [Microsoft - thanks, SS!]

Indies Bringing A Sense Of Wonder To TGS

Leigh Alexander — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:20:00 MDT

The Independent Games Festival has proven itself a breeding ground for innovative new ideas, some of which end up changing the paradigm for the larger commercial industry. Now it looks like the Tokyo Game Show is getting its own version of the IGF, called the Sense of Wonder Night 2008, to be held on October 10th.

Ten titles will be selected for consideration, with the finalists' list to be revealed on September 16th. According to Wired, the committee has warned potential applicants against showing up with more of the same - they want technological and storytelling innovation that directly impacts gameplay. In with the new, then!

Should be interesting to see what turns up - by the by, Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi is one of the people on the selection committee, aptly.

Tokyo Game Show Throws Party for Innovative Games [Wired via GameSetWatch]

TGS 2008 Official Poster And Slogan (Both Kinda Stink)

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 28 May 2008 03:00:00 MDT

The Tokyo Game Show has announced its official poster and slogan. The poster (pictured) features sayings in various languages. The English ones are "Go for it!", "Fantastic!!" and "Here's a break!" Pretty sure I've never said "Here's a break!" in my life. Like ever. The official slogan doesn't get much better. It is:

Saa, ikou! GAME no jikan desu. (Let's go! It's GAME time.)

So profound. Makes "Here's a break!" sound like utter drivel. TGS runs October 9th to the 12th with the first two days being business days. Over 170 companies will be participating and organizers expect 180,000 total attendees.

TGS 2008 [CESA]

Tokyo Game Show's (Painfully Bad) Theme Announced

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:00:06 MST

Just when you all are starting to get GDC fever, Japan comes along to steal its thunder and announces the theme for this year's Tokyo Game Show. Are you ready for that excitement? Here goes:

Theme: "Ready for GAME Time!"
Let both experienced players and first-time users get even more enjoyment from games — the aspiration has led to creation of a variety of new content and driven astonishing growth of the computer entertainment industry.

Zzzzzzzzz... More like "Ready for LAME Time!" We really ought to cut them some slack. Last year's TGS theme wasn't announced until late May. Perhaps, TGS organizers could've used a few more months so that, you know, that didn't turned in something so bad. Hit the jump for the full press release.

February 19,2008
Press release

On the holding of Tokyo Game Show 2008

This year's theme has been decided: "Ready for GAME Time!"

Dates: Thursday, October 9 - Sunday, October 12

Venue: Makuhari Messe

Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association

Nikkei Business Publications,Inc.

The Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA; Yoichi Wada, Chairman; Nishi Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo) is delighted to announce the holding of the Tokyo Game Show 2008 in cooperation with Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. (Seiichi Oteru, President and CEO; Minato-ku, Tokyo). As previously announced, this year's 4-day event will be held from October 9 to 12, 2008, at Makuhari Messe (Mihama-ku,Chiba City). As last year, the first two days of the event will be Business Days, while the second two will be open to the general public.

Last year's event was extended in the effort to strengthen the trade show function of the event and increase its international character, and the first-ever 4-day Tokyo Game Show set new records for the numbers of both domestic and international exhibitors as well as booth units occupied. Attendance was also at the highest level ever, with 193,040 people visiting the 2007 event. We are pleased to report that TGS2007 enjoyed a reputation for excellence from both Japanese and international visitors.

Based on these successes, the Tokyo Game Show will seek to be the world's largest computer entertainment show once again in 2008, with exhibitors from across Japan and around the world, and to serve not only as a forum for exchanging information about world markets, but to increase in terms of both scale and quality.

Particular features to watch for in TGS2008 will be: 1) new exhibition areas to ensure full coverage of all form of entertainment, 2) improved environment for doing business and international participation, and 3) promotions targeting light users (kids, families) and new users. We hope that these efforts will meet the expectations of our participants from business and the general public and succeed in making this a truly world-class event.

We are also pleased to announce the theme for the TGS2008 event as "Ready for GAME Time!" which we hope will create a sense of just how fun games can be for anyone.

Theme: "Ready for GAME Time!"

Let both experienced players and first-time users get even more enjoyment from games - the aspiration has led to creation of a variety of new content and driven astonishing growth of the computer entertainment industry.

Expanding their territories from home systems to various terminals and media, games have now entered into every aspect of our lives, evolving into entertainment that anyone can enjoy anywhere.

The Tokyo Game Show 2008 aims to bring together makers striving to develop the next generation of games and other entertainment sector businesses in their work to bring fun and excitement of games to the world. This year's theme is an expression of our hope to provide a great four-day "Game Time" full of dreams and excitement.

TOKYO GAME SHOW Official English Website : http://tgs.cesa.or.jp/english/

"This year's theme is an expression of our hope to provide a great four-day "Game Time" full of dreams and excitement"? No, thanks. Really.

TGS 2008 Dates Announced

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 03:00:58 MST

While some of us are still recovering from last year's Tokyo Game Show, that doesn't mean it's too early to announce the dates for this year's. TGS 2008 will be October 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th. For those unable to count, that means that, yes, TGS will once again be four days long. The first two days will be business days. Big difference, TGS 2007 was in late September. Good, because it won't be so friggin' humid.

Pro Tip: For those without press passes, go on Sunday at around 4pm. Last year, it was a ghost town!
TGS Dates [Famitsu]

MGS4: E 4 All English Demo Gameplay

fdemarco — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 11:00:00 MDT

When I was at TGS, the Metal Gear Solid 4 demo was all the rage. Huge lines, long waits. I attended the demo with Ash and as predicted I was terrible and it seemed like it was over before it even began. The other problem for me was that it was all in Japanese so not only did I suck at it, but I sucked at it and had no clue as to what was going on.

Although E for All didn't offer a whole lot in the way of games, it did have the MGS4 demo and this time in English. And while I saved myself the embarrassment of stinking it up in two languages I did notice that despite the sparse crowds, the MGS line was always rather lengthy. The fine folks at GameTrailers were good enough to get footage from the English demo and post it all for you to check out since, according to Ryan Payton, you won't be seeing this as a demo on PSN. The video has been split up into four easily digestible parts with the first one appearing above and the remaining three waiting for you after the jump

Osaka Game Festa Coming

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:00:35 MDT

Missed TGS? Live in Kansai? Next month, the Games Japan Festa kicks off at Osaka's ATC Hall. The two day event, sponsored by the Video Game Commercial Association of Japan, will feature 80 titles on display from 25 companies that include Capcom, Konami, Square Enix, SEGA, Bandai Namco and Nintendo. The festival will move to the Makuhari Messe, where TGS is held, at the end of November. No clue what they'll be showing at the Festa — whether it'll be TGS builds or new stuff. Nintendo, who usually sit TGS out, will be there, possibly showing stuff like Wii Fit to the Japanese public for the first time. Not sure, though! Nintendo should draw a fair crowd, no?
Osaka Festa [Famitsu]

Final Fantasy XI: War of the Godess Trailer

fdemarco — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:00:00 MDT

After sitting through the forty five minute Square trailer extravaganza at TGS, I'm a bit surprised I didn't see this one included in that mix although this is being touted as the "TGS Trailer". Square's booth was packed and bigger than most houses so I guess it's not too much of a shock that I missed it. Final Fantasy XI Online has struggled a bit to keep up with it's FF brothers. Will this be the one that brings it back into the public consciousness? I don't know, but this trailer sure looks nice, but then again, don't they all?

Goodbye, TGS

Mark Wilson — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:00:44 MDT

We'll still be finishing up our impressions of Tokyo Game Show throughout the rest of the week, but with most of our staff back home nursing their hangovers, we thought it a fit opportunity to say goodbye with heavy amounts of TGS fandom and over modulated bass.

Have TGS Attendees Purchased The New PSP?

Mark Wilson — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:00:23 MDT

Since the PSP Slim hit Japan a few days ago (September 20th), we thought we'd poll the hardcore gamers sweating their way through TGS as to whether or not they'd made the plunge. And while our poll is hardly scientific (Ash had to write the question on a piece of paper for us), our conclusion is that Japanese women love Luke's powerful beard.

Dual Shock 3 'Confirmed' For TGS

Mike Fahey — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 02:30:45 MDT

Oh my god! Stop the presses! Do we even have presses? Anyway, according to the latest 1UP Yours podcast, Sony plans on unveiling the return of rumble at the Tokyo Game Show this week, with the Dual Shock 3 making an appearance on the show floor. If this is true it will no doubt spawn countless photographs of what will undoubtedly look just like the controller we are all used to anyway, but hey, it will rumble. Maybe we can create an animated GIF that shakes to help convey the full impact of the controller's appearance on the scene. Finally, after nearly a year on the market, we'll get a glimpse of the controller we should have had in the first place and will soon have the opportunity to pay an undisclosed amount of money for. Hit the link to listen to the nearly two hour podcast for more information, or just if you are very lonely and crave the sound of guys talking. Oh, and ignore the boomerang pic, it just makes me giggle.

1UP Yours Podcast 9/14 - [1UP - Thanks Everyone!]

Metal Gear Solid 4, Metal Gear Online Playable

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 06:30:09 MDT

As Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton revealed in today's podcast, Metal Gear Solid 4 and Metal Gear Online will both be playable at TGS. The MGS4 demo bit shows close to the game's start, and there will be a special "briefing area" to explain the controllers. There will be a new trailer as well which Payton says might be revealing "too much." So, if you don't want things spoiled, don't watch. Excited? The line starts here!
Listen Here [KP Productions Report]

Hudson's TGS List

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:00:07 MDT

TGS mania continues! Here, we've got Hudson's list of its Tokyo Games Show games. Hooray! They are:

Wii
Deca Sporta
Nintendo DS
Dungeon Explorer: Jashin no Ryouiki
Elemental Monster
Gachapin Nikki DS

PSP
Dungeon Explorer: Meiyaku no Tobira

There is one more game that Hudson will announce at TGS. Bring on the new Bonk game. Make it happen, Hudson!
Hudson List [Siliconera]

Taito's TGS Looks Something Like This

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 03:00:00 MDT

The TGS anticipation continues! Taito has released its list of games appearing at TGS. And amazingly (or not, depending on how you look at it) all titles are DS games. They include:

Cooking Mama 2
Arkanoid DS
Exit DS
Space Invaders Extreme
The Legend of Kage 2
Pet Shop Monogatari DS
Paddle Controller DS (Peripheral)

Boy I hope it's Space Invaders Extreme and not Space Invaders eXtreme or Space Invaders Xtreme.
Taito's TGS List [ITmedia]

Sony's PS3 Playable List for TGS

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:00:18 MDT

Sony released its TGS list of playable PS3 games. It's sizable — over forty titles. What sticks out? Q Entertainment will be showing an unannounced PS3 title. Could Q's Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Rez, Space Channel 5) be showing off Rez 2 for the PSN? Besides that title, there are also 8 titles which have not been disclosed yet. Here's a list of what we know:

Agarest Senki (Idea Factory)
Spiderman 3 (Activision)
Transformers (Activision)
Pirates of the Carribbean (Disney)
Fifa 2008 (EA)
NBA Live 08 (EA)
Need for Speed Pro Street (EA)
Harry Potter (EA)
Railfan [Taiwan Railway]
Devil May Cry 4 (Capcom)
Pixeljunk RACERS (Q-games）
Unannounced Title (Q Entertainment)
G1 Jockey 4 2007 (Koei)
Dynasty Warriors 6 (Koei)
Oblivion (Spike)
Tony Hawk Project 8 (Spike)
SEGA RALLY (tentative title) (Sega)
Imabikisou (Sega)
BuuBuu Cocoreccho! (SCE)
Eye of Judgement (SCE)
echocrome (SCE)
Go! Sports Ski (SCE)
Heavenly Sword (SCE)
Little Big Planet (SCE)
Lair (SCE)
Warhawk (SCE)
Uncharted (SCE)
GT 5 Prologue (SCE)
Mainichi Issho (SCE)
Rachet & Clank (SCE)
Shirokishi Monogatari (SCE)
Ratatouille (THQ Japan)
Dark Sector
Time Crisis 4 (Bandai Namco)
Assasin's Creed (Ubisoft)
GRAW 2 (Ubisoft)

Sony's PS3 Games [Dengeki Online, Thanks Ben!]

TGS Booth Floor Plan Revealed

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:00:37 MDT

The lay of the land. There are 217 companies appearing at this year's Tokyo Game show. Here are the floor plans for the biggest ones. Above is 1Hall-3Hall. From top left going across, it includes: Square Enix, Microsoft, SoftBank Mobile and CoFesta Movie Square/TGS Cafe. Below that and moving across are Koei, Cykan Entertainment Co., Ltd., Level 5 and Capcom. Below Capcom and moving right is the Foreign Games Pavilion (go Western Australia!), Marvelous Entertainment, some small companies and SNK by the entrance. Hit the jump for a thrilling look at 4Hall-6Hall:

From top left moving right are Sony, Tecmo and Bandai Namco Games/Banpresto. Below BNG and moving left, there are NTT DoCoMo, Konami and SEGA. Under SEGA, there are KDDI, Takara Tomy, Hudson, Jaleco Games, D3 Publisher and Taito.

Dragon Quest IX Not Playable, FFXIII "Undecided"

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 08:00:30 MDT

Do you have TGS fever yet? Square Enix does! The third party publisher unveiled its Tokyo Games Show line-up, which surprisingly includes both Final Fantasy *and* Dragon Quest games. Big news? DS remakes Final Fantasy IV and Dragon Quest IV will be playable, but DS sequel Dragon Quest IX won't be. What's more, Square Enix didn't announce how FFXIII, FF Aigto XIII or FF Versus XIII are going to be shown. We're pulling for shadow theater! Here's the full run-down, complete with details on how the games will be displayed:

Final Fantasy XI Online: Divine Soldiers of Altana
Exhibition Form: Trailer

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
Exhibition Form: Playable

Final Fantasy Tactics A2
Exhibition Form: Trailer and Playable

Final Fantasy IV (DS)
Exhibition Form: Trailer and Playable

Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon
Exhibition Form: Trailer and Playable

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Exhibition Form: Trailer and Playable

Final Fantasy XIII
Exhibition Form: Undecided

Final Fantasy Versus XIII
Exhibition Form: Undecided

Final Fantasy Agito XIII
Exhibition Form: Undecided

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Complete
Exhibition Form: Trailer

Final Fantasy Dissidia
Exhibition Form: Undecided

The Last Remnant
Exhibition Form: Trailer

Dragon Quest Monster Battle Road
Exhibition Form: Playable

Dragon Quest Monsters Joker
Exhibition Form: Playable

Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest 2
Exhibition Form: Playable

Dragon Quest IV
Exhibition Form: Player and Trailer

Dragon Quest IX
Exhibition Form: Trailer

Besides that, there are a handful of atypical Square Enix games like DS Gardening Life, Will You Also Listen to Classical Music? or Starting Fitness Yoga — games aimed at non-gamers. They will all be playable. Think of it a consolation prize for yet another Dragon Quest IX trailer.

Square's TGS Games [Famitsu]

Yup, Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy Still Not on Xbox 360

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:00:17 MDT

Just because Microsoft doesn't have the home field advantage doesn't mean the company is going to sit on the TGS sidelines. Yes, the company will be announcing something. In an interview with Canada.com, lippy Microsoft exec Jeff Bell hints at what Microsoft will be showing at the Tokyo Games Show, namely ~~Alan Wake~~, Fable 2 and Halo Wars. As well it should be! Those are all first party games, though. What about third part stuff? Bell stirs the hornet's nest:

Lets be honest. There's only two major franchises that are talked about not appearing on our platform: Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid.

So why not buy them? You're Microsoft, you're rich.

That's the thing. Hopefully we're at the tipping point right now, where people will work with you and say, "We're going to make money the old fashioned way". Clearly there is a content and development necessity when you're the new kid. We're seeing that change over now when we have the install base and we will continue on our commitment to growth.

Giant Jeff Bell Face didn't really answer the question.
Jeff Bell Interview [Canada.com via Eurogamer]

Level5 Backs Up Soccer RPG with Cool TGS Schwag

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:00:57 MDT

Besides a new Professor Layton game, Level5 also announced a soccer RPG calledd Inazuma Eleven. The game centers around a junior high school team that has gotten an exchange student from Australia. Original teams can be created and exchanged with friends via Wi-Fi. Players use the touch pen to draw lines for passing and tap the touch screen to shoot. There are a thousand-plus characters as well! The game features comical, unrealistic soccer moves like the "God Hand" in which a huge hand blocks the goal. The music is being done by Yasunori Mitsuda, who worked on Chrono Trigger before getting ulcers. While the release date hasn't been announced, TGS attendees have an opportunity to snag a demo cartridge that not only features Inazuma Eleven but also an original mini story Professor Layton and the London Holiday. Called "Level5 Premium Silver," expect this limited edition cart to be snapped up FAST!
Level5's Soccer Game [Famitsu]

GC Asia Announced Just to Piss Us Off

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:00:33 MDT

ENOUGH WITH THE SHOWS. E3 ends, and shortly after that, there's Leipzig. Just after that, there is PAX. Then? Then we've got the Tokyo Games Show. But between PAX and TGS, there's GC Asia, which runs from September 6-9 in Singapore. Sony will be in appearance at GCA, showing off PS3 and PSP games, while Nintendo will be using the event to launch the Wii in the region (cue Wii Sports kiosks). Also, Electronic Arts will be showing off 15 titles, including Crysis, FIFA 08 and Rock Band. Expect appearances by Blizzard and Nokia NGage as well!

Seriously. Event organizers, spread this stuff out so we can actually cover it all without dying. This is getting RIDICULOUS.
GC Asia Info [Games Industry]

Dragon Quest IX Shoved to 2008

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:30:26 MDT

Looking forward to playing Dragon Quest IX this year? You and all of Japan. Well, ain't gonna happen. Square Enix has moved the game from its 2007 release schedule to its 2008 one. In an official statement, Square Enix announced that "further quality improvement is necessary" to create content that satisfies users. While delays for Xbox 360 and PS3 games have become the norm, a DS game delay is a little unusual. Just goes to show that you can't use the copout that DQIX is "just" a DS game. Our theories why the game was delayed:
A). Square Enix is trying to cram the game on a single cartridge.
B). Phantom Hourglass set a new standard
C). Maybe both!
Curious as to whether we'll see this game at TGS or not. Better be, or Japan will freak. Chaos, disorder, BLOOD.
DQ Delay [Game Watch]

Only One PS3 Game Confirmed for TGS

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:20:02 MDT

With Leipzig just around the corner, the Tokyo Game Show seems a while off. It's not! On the first day, Kaz Hirai will be giving the TGS keynote — In Japanese! (I don't think I've ever heard him speak Japanese.) He'll be talking about business plans to expand the "PlayStation World." Exciting. A partial list of titles on exhibit has been confirmed. This is NOT by any means a final list, but so far there will be the same number of GameCube titles as PLAYSTATION 3 games on display. That number is one. So much for expanding! After the jump, the partial list of what's been confirmed so far:

Platform
Mobile Phone: 82 titles
PC: 48 titles
Nintendo DS: 29 titles
PlayStation 2: 23 titles
Wii: 8 titles
Xbox 360: 4 titles
PSP: 4 titles
Nintendo GameCube: 1 title
PLAYSTATION 3: 1 title

Here's how that breaks down by genre:
Action: 45 titles
RPG: 35 titles
Sim: 29 titles
Adventure: 17 titles
Puzzle: 16 titles
Shooting: 5 titles
Sports: 4 titles
Racing: 4 titles
Other: 45 titles

That PS3 game is Sega's text-slash-horror game Imabikisou. Remember, this is NOT the final list, so no freaking out! We don't know what Konami or Square Enix is bringing. Yes, there will be tons of PLAYSTATION 3 games. TGS will be wall-to-wall PS3 games, and hell, they'll probably call this year's TGS the Tokyo PLAYSTATION 3 Game Show. Just relax.
List So Far [IT Media]

Nintendo, Capcom Employee Porn?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:00:05 MDT

Adult video maker Plum has a series of hardcore flicks called "First Time Amateurs Live." Here's the hook: They're young women who've worked for major Japanese corporations. Women who've apparently worked for Nintendo as a secretary (link NSFW), a Capcom PR lady (ditto) and Makuhari Messe receptionist (likewise). Makuhari Messe? That's where they hold the Tokyo Game Show! Note that no Nintendo or Capcom characters actually appear in these videos. Mosaics, however, do.
Company Workers Dirty Movies [Insert Credit]

Sega Game Lineup for TGS

fdemarco — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 09:00:00 MDT

Website Xbox 360 Rally has managed to get their hands on what seems to be an authentic list of Sega's offerings for the upcoming Tokyo Game Show. Hilights include Shenmue 3, Nights: Journey of Dreams, House of the Dead 4 and Space Channel 5 part 3 (ok, so maybe I'm the only one excited about that).

We don't know from whence this list game but the Xbox 360 Rally folks seem to think it's a pretty reliable source. So I guess what I'm saying here is, if it turns out not to be true, send your angry emails to them, not us. Thanks.

Make the jump to check out the (supposedly true) full list of Sega's TGS roster.

[Thanks, blackicejoe]

Tokyo Game Show 07 SEGA Game List

Alien Syndrome (Wii, PSP)
After Burner: Black Falcon (PSP)
Beijing 2008: the Official Videogame of the Olympic Games (PS2, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PSP, DS, PC)
ChuChu Rocket! (XBLA, PC)
Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars (PSP)
Fighters Megamix 2 (Xbox 360, PS3)
Ghost Squad (Wii)
Happy Tree Friends False Alarm (XBLA, PC)
Jet Set Radio Next (Xbox 360, PS3)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii, DS)
Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms Visit (PC)
Nights: Journey of Dreams (Wii)
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus (PS2, Xbox 360, PC)
Samba De Amigo Fever (PSP)
Sega Classics Collection 2 (PS2,PSP)
Sega Rally Revo (Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, PC)
Sega Superstar 2 (Wii)
Shenmue 3 (Xbox 360)
Shenmue I & II Plus (Xbox 360)
Skies of Arcadia 2 (Wii)
Sonic Rivals 2 (PSP)
Sonic Rush Adventure (DS)
Sonic the RPG (Xbox 360, PS3)
Space Channel 5 Part 3 (Xbox 360, PS3)
Space Channel 5 Showtime (Wii, DS, PSP)
The Club (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
The Golden Compass (PS2, PC, DS, Xbox 360, PSP, PS3, Wii)
The House of the Dead 4 (Xbox 360, PS3)
Universe at War: Earth Assault (Xbox 360, PC)
Virtua Fighter 5 (Xbox 360, PS3)
Virtua Fighter Kids 2 (Wii)
Worldwide Soccer Manager Live (Xbox 360, PC)
Yakuza 3 (PS3)

Tokyo Game Show Exhibitor List

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 03:00:52 MDT

With the E3 dust just starting to settle, time to focus on ~~Leipzig~~ Tokyo Game Show. This year will host 168 exhibitors occupying 1,708 booth units, making this year's TGS the largest ever. By comparison, the previous largest show (last year!) had 148 exhibitors in 1,701 booth units.

In contrary to our insider info and Miyamoto pressuring, Nintendo looks like it WON'T be in attendance. Not counting on last minute announcements! Guess they figured they don't need TGS. Still, do look for Square Enix to push the crap out of Dragon Quest IX and the DS.

Hit the jump for highlights of exhibitors — minus the likes of the Australian Embassy and the Japan E-Sports Association Preparatory Committee.

3DV Systems
ACQUIRE CORPORATION
ARC SYSTEM WORKS
BANPRESTO
BROCCOLI
CAPCOM
D3PUBLISHER
ENTERBRAIN
HUDSON
JALECO
KOEI
KONAMI
LEVEL-5
MARVELOUS ENTERTAINMENT
MICROSOFT
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES
SEGA
SNK PLAYMORE
SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT
SQUARE ENIX
TAITO
TECMO
TOMY

Yup, the usual suspects!

More than Three Times Bigger Than Old E3

Brian Crecente — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:00:24 MDT

This year's Games Convention in Leipzig is expected to draw in 200,000 people over the shows three days, compared to the 60,000 or so that hit last years E3 in LA.

The Games Convention runs from Aug. 23 through Aug 25 and takes up 115,000 square meters of space with 410 exhibitors from 26 countries. I think that puts it right behind the Tokyo Game Show as the largest single gaming expo in the world, but I could just be making that up.

"The GC is experiencing another growth spurt this year," said Leipzig Fair managing director Josef Rahmen. "Both the number of exhibiting companies and the individual presentation areas have clearly expanded over the last year."

There is also the GC Freestyle festival which runs during that time and includes live concerts, sports an outdoor pool and camping facilities. It's good to see that Europe is following in the ESA's footsteps when it comes to toning down their gaming conventions.

Games Convention 2007 expects 200,000 visitors [Games Industry]

The Hudson Caravan

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 07:00:56 MDT

It's big. It's yellow. It's the Hudson Caravan. This summer, a Hudson bus will be touring cities across Japan from Sapporo to Sendai. It's been nine years since Hudson has fired up the Caravan! In each Caravan Hall, there will be limited edition shirts on sale and button pushing contests — as well as cell phone and DS game Otodamaster on display. Last stop? Tokyo Game Show. Vroom vroom!
Hudson Caravan [Famitsu]

This Year's TGS Poster

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 07:00:09 MDT

The official poster for this year's Tokyo Game Show has been unveiled. As previously posted, this year's slogan is "Connect, widen, to the World." The poster depicts a small crowd of freaks — totally bogus as this year's TGS has been expanded to four days. We expect a large crowd of freaks.

This Year's Tokyo Game Show Theme

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 29 May 2007 04:00:26 MDT

Every year the Tokyo Game Show has a theme, a slogan if you will. This year's catch phrase has been decided:

Connect, widen, to the World. ("Tsunagatte, hirogatte, sekai he.")

Wow, it's like they actually set out to write a typically trite slogan you'd find in a DoCoMo ad. Good for them! This year's TGS has been expanded to four days (traditionally, it was three), and a gazillion people are going to show-up. Why didn't they go with more accurate slogans? Ones like "TGS: Four days With Sweaty Nerds" or "TGS: Have Strangers Press Up Close To You."

For those *thinking* of attending: Remember the E3 circus of previous years? Now imagine all that in Japanese, and you'll get a vague idea of what TGS 2007 is going to be. Brian Ashcraft

TGS Theme [Famitsu]

Drumroll Please... Here's The TGS Contest Winner

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:30:12 MDT

Back in February we ran a contest that would send one lucky reader and a friend to the Tokyo Game Show in September. The contest was sponsored by the good people at Old Spice and was comprised of three easy questions: #1, #2 and #3. The winner of this contest? Jerome B.

We've been having loads of amazing contests of late. Just recently, we pissed off half of our readers with cone hats and gave a one-of-a-kind PS3 to David C. When we notified David C. that he had won, he wrote back saying his "hands were shaking" and that he would "cherish" the PS3. When we wrote Jerome B. telling him that he hand won round trip tickets to TGS, he replied with:

Awesome Thanks.

Yup. That's it. Not much of a talker or typer, I guess. Anyway, enjoy Tokyo, Jerome B.! Brian Ashcraft

Don't Forget! Go To Tokyo!

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 23:00:45 MST

We want you to go to Tokyo. We really, really do! So, we don't want you to forget about our AMAZING CONTEST. To bring everyone up to speed, we've got a contest that will run through the end of March. We're going to run three (count 'em) trivia questions over this period in the form of sponsored polls. These questions are brought to Kotaku-land by Old Spice thank-you-very-much. To one reader who gets all three questions right, we'll give you tickets to the Tokyo Game Show in September and round trip airfare for two to Tokyo! In case you missed them, here are Question #1, Question #2 and Question #3. See ya in Tokyo, winner person! Brian Ashcraft

A TGS Contest Reminder To Remember

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 22:00:38 MST

Ahoy! Don't forget, we've got this truly fab Tokyo Game Show that involves you answering three questions. To bring everyone up to speed, we've got a contest that will run through the end of March. We're going to run three (count 'em) trivia questions over this period in the form of sponsored polls. These questions are brought to Kotaku-land by Old Spice thank-you-very-much. To one reader who gets all three questions right, we'll give you tickets to the Tokyo Game Show in September and round trip airfare for two to Tokyo! In case you missed them, here are Question #1, Question #2 and Question #3. Good luck! Brian Ashcraft

Contest: Final TGS Question!

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 11:00:21 MST

To bring everyone up to speed, we've got a contest that will run through the end of March. We're going to run three (count 'em) trivia questions over this period in the form of sponsored polls. These questions are brought to Kotaku-land by Old Spice thank-you-very-much. To one reader who gets all three questions right, we'll give you tickets to the Tokyo Game Show in September and round trip airfare for two to Tokyo! In case you missed them, here are Question #1 and Question #2. Here it is, what you've been waiting for: The last question for our TGS contest.

Night Note: What's In A Name

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 07:40:09 MST

To: Crecente
From Bashcraft
Subject: New Moniker

Bummer to hear about your 360! Lucky that it's a debug unit and not retail one. Imagine paying to get the damn thing fixed. Ugh. Microsoft might want to take a page or two from the Nintendo product playbook so that they can start making stuff that, you know, doesn't break.

Talked to McWhertor, and he said he's driving to Vega$ for DICE. How bad ass! He's not ready now, he added. But he should be ready once he gets there. (And by "ready", he either means "ready" for craps and hookers or hookers and craps.)

Might not look like it from the site, but was a pretty hecktick night! My wife and kid are going to change their names. Finally! Currently their last name is "Ueda," a super common Japanese name much like "Johnson." And I had to pick up some papers to start the process of giving them my totally bizarre katakana last name. Wonder if it'll be hard on my kid when he gets older... We've decided to still use the name "Ueda" while ordering pizza. Saying "Ashukurafuto" only confuses the Pizza Hut guy.

And let's see, oh, site stuff.

While you were sleeping

Blind Item: Why Sony's Not Funding Huge PS3 Sequel

Badass Twilight Princess Figures

First Look At Manhunt

Almost forgot! We've got the last question for that super great TGS contest coming later today. I'll put that up at around 10 or 11 am Kotaku time. If you've got a sec, could you check and see if the coding is right? Last two times I've put them up, they've been all mucked up.

Looking forward to reading that Warcraft feature. And yes, accepting bottles of liquor from people who make adult videos is wrong on so many leaves. I mean, geez, what if it's a left over prop? GROSS. I've got a few features I need to talk to you about. Will do so via email tomorrow. 'Till then, ta.

Tokyo Game Show Contest Reminder

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 10:20:07 MST

Have you forgotten? We are sending one of you knuckleheads and your friend to Tokyo. Not *just* Tokyo, but the Tokyo Game Show. And since TGS is now a day longer, that means the winner can enjoy more quality time pressed up against sweaty people!

This is seriously a rad contest. Let's bring all up to speed: We've got a contest that will run through the end of March. We're going to run three (count 'em) trivia questions over this period in the form of sponsored polls. These questions are brought to Kotaku-land by Old Spice thank-you-very-much. To one reader who gets all three questions right, we'll give you tickets to the Tokyo Game Show in September and round trip airfare for two to Tokyo! The questions are below:

Question #1
Question #2

Tokyo Game Show Contest Reminder (With Added Snow)

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:23:18 MST

There was a pretty swell Kotaku Lost Planet contest earlier this month in which we asked readers like you to build something game-related out of snow, ice, sand, dirt, etc. Reader Daniel did just that. Weeks late. He writes:

My friend and I made a Katamari, Prince, and a few mushrooms. It does not snow to often here so we decided to do some thing cool and video game related. We also used Chocolate syrup on the mushrooms and in the first attempt at the face.

And then, we assume, ate it.

Kotaku-land, we have stuff. Stuff we want to give you. Sometimes, it's games, sometimes it's free crap Crecente has sitting around the house and once in a blue moon, it's a trip to the Tokyo Game Show. This is an amazingly fantastic wonderful super-dee-duper contest, and we are looking forward to putting a lucky winner on a plane to Japan, where we will make him or her buy us stuff. Expensive stuff.

Click below for the contest's first question. There are three total, and the next will be here before ya know it. Till then, good luck with the first one. Brian Ashcraft

TGS Contest. Question Numero Uno [Kotaku]

FFXIII Demo Coming This Year

Mike Fahey — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:40:38 MST

Square Enix has announced plans for a playable demo of Final Fantasy XIII to be released sometime this year. In the latest issue of Dengeki, representatives from the Squeenix dev talk about the demo's planned release. "'We are hoping to have a playable demo ready for E3 in 2007." This could be great news for the PlayStation 3, as something truly wonderful on the Final Fantasy front could spark a wave of renewed excitement for the system.

I would sure love to get my hands on a playable version of the game myself, though with E3 invites now being handled by gaming companies themselves I'll have to hold out hope that there is a company out there I haven't offended egregiously yet, and it isn't looking too good. Besides that, there is no guarantee that it will be ready in time for the event. We might end up having to rely on Ashcraft on the winners of our TGS contest for impressions. Michael Fahey

Final Fantasy XIII demo this year [PlayStation Universe]

We're Sending Two to the Tokyo Game Show

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:22:50 MST

What. A. Contest. You want to go to Japan? With a friend? And not *just* Japan, but the Tokyo Game Show. Here's the deal: Today, we're kicking off a contest that will run through the end of March. We're going to run three (count 'em) trivia questions over this period in the form of sponsored polls. Today's is brought to you by Old Spice thank-you-very-much. To one reader who gets all three questions right, we'll give you tickets to the Tokyo Game Show in September and round trip airfare for two to Tokyo! Yes, we love you, our readers that much — Save for when you piss us off. Get to it, the first one's below. Brian Ashcraft

Ed's note: Whoops we had an error in the script. It's fixed now, sorry for the screw-up.