Alan Wake To Appear At TGS For Sure (Maybe)

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!]

Even though E3 is next week, it's never too early to talk about the Tokyo Game Show. So! For those interested in attending TGS 2008, good news: You'll be able to buy tickets beforehand. That's right, convenience stores across the country will be selling them via Electronic Ticket Pia for ¥1,000 (¥1,200 with tax). That's ten bucks plus tax in U.S. money. But what does that matter? You'll have to be in Japan if you want to buy tickets early.

TGS tickets go on sale starting July 16th.

前売入場券は2008年7月16日より販売 [Famitsu] [Pic]

Indies Bringing A Sense Of Wonder To TGS

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)

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]

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.

TGS 2008 Dates Announced

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

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

By Michael McWhertor

Team Ninja is known for their flash. Whether it's producer Tomonobu Itagaki's rockstar look, Ryu Hayabusa's penchant for decapitating everything in sight, or the cup sizes of every Dead or Alive female fighter, understated is usually not an adjective that appears in sentences describing Team Ninja. But the developer's offices are so bland, so utilitarian, so... office-y we wondered if we had been led into the wrong building. Soon, however, Itagaki emerged, a hint of tobacco and hard liquor on his breath.

We were lucky enough to have a private interview with the head of Team Ninja about their upcoming venture, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, so we (as quickly as we could) got down to business.

The interview took place in what looked like the team's demo room. Nothing more than a couple couches, a big screen TV, an Xbox 360 and a pair of statues—Master Chief from Halo and Kasumi from Dead of Alive—adorned the room. Outside of a trio of low-key posters for DOA and Ninja Gaiden, you'd have a hard time placing the developer. But the katana on the display stands might have helped.

TGS Schwag Winner

http://kotaku.com/gaming/sony/sonys-booth-babe-human-wave-302207.php

Final Fantasy XI: War of the Godess Trailer

Tokyo Game Show Booth Run

The Japanese Cosplay Better Than You

I might never be able to go to a U.S. anime convention again. The cosplayers in Japan are making fools of you people here. It's embarrassing. Check out this Sephiroth, taken from GayGamer.net's TGS cosplay gallery. Look at how that outfit sits on this girl. Hell, even the wig looks halfway decent, which is extremely hard to do with silver hair. Are her eyebrows powdered silver as well? Damn. You just don't get that level of dedication around these parts. Most American cosplay makes me giggle. Japanese cosplay makes me begin to understand this whole Cloud and Sephiroth kissing thing the girls seem to like so much.

TGS 07: Cosplay Gallery [GayGamer.net]

TGS Schwag Writing Contest Reminder

Ah Itagaki unmasked you say? I would sooner expect to see clear photographic evidence of the Tibetan Mountain Yeti's child fathered by the elusive Chupacabra (she doesn't care what you think, she loves him anyway). What do the linked images reveal? Nothing but a deliciously heightened mystery. From the appearance of that photo I can not even confirm that Itagaki has actual eye-spheres residing in his skull-sockets. Maybe the sockets just burn with a black fire much like Ninja Gaiden's Doku. Or perhaps you can't see his eyes because under his sunglasses he is actually just wearing another pair of sunglasses. I think the worst possible scenario is that is actually quiet a perfect image of him without his glasses, he just is that blurry. And that is super scary. The grin on the man in the second photo (Itagaki and sunglasses reunited) is suspiciously "shit eating" as well, such to suggest his collaboration in confounding the photo.