Tokyo Game Show happening in-person this year
“Nothing Stops Gaming” indeed as the 2022 Tokyo Game Show (TGS2022) will finally return to its natural habitat as an in-person convention at the Makuhari Messe center in Chiba, Japan.
As announced last week, the long-running Japanese gaming expo will open its doors to the public and will run for four days from September 15 to 18, 2022; finally taking the on-site leap after shifting to a digital-only event since COVID-19 broke out two years ago.
According to the main organizer Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA), this year’s theme of “Nothing Stops Gaming” is inspired by how video games continued to serve its purpose of entertaining and brightening people’s lives despite the tall hurdles brought forth by the pandemic. It also says that “2022 is the year to show the real spirit of games.” (Read: How playing an old Final Fantasy game helped make sense of the pandemic)
“Over these two years, various fun events disappeared from our daily life, but games still lightened up our days,” CESA said in a press release. “Games will continue to brighten up the days of everybody now and forever—this year’s theme implies such strong determination.”
The 2020’s version of the annual gaming event was held online, while last year’s was held in a hybrid style; showcasing online programs for regular fans and in-person access for business guests such as journalists and influencers.
This year’s version, however, will fully operate physically with admission open for general and business visitors in the four-day event, albeit with precautionary measures still enforced such as limited selling of tickets in line with the Japanese government’s protocols. TGS2022 will also suspend past years’ set-up of allowing children to attend the event in their efforts to ensure extra safety.
“A limited number of tickets will be sold according to the upper limit of visitors,” CESA explained. “Due to uncertainties of vaccination situations among young people, elementary school students or younger children are not allowed admission to secure safety of this year’s event.”
Like previous editions though, TGS2022’s official language remains Japanese with a live English interpretation option. It will feature general exhibition stalls, VR/AR area, eSports booths, and Indie game platforms among others.
For fans not able to attend, online programs such as new game demos, a virtual tour experience, and the TGS Virtual Reality area can be played from home. Livestreams on several streaming platforms will also be available.
Aside from CESA, the event will be co-organized by Japanese publisher Nikkei Business Publications and public relations company Dentsu. Information on ticket sales will be announced around July.
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