TGS 2008

So after checking out the temples, shrines, the fashionable bits of Tokyo, it was time to go for something a bit different... the Tokyo Game Show, 2008. It pretty much is exactlly what it sounds like. Essentially it's a trade show where all of the big video game companies like Sony and Microsoft show off their latest and greatest. Unlike others like the American version, this one is open to the public for 2 of the days. How could I pass that up?

Getting there wasn't too hard, although being on the same train that goes to Tokyo Disney Land, on a long weekend over here, made for a packed train. The facility where they house it is huge very nice area with lots of high end hotels. Once going through the line, security, I was inside. Now as soon as you enter is a guy with a big sign saying NO PHOTOGRAPHY. :(

So I put the camera away and head in to check it out.. as I found out NOBODY listened to that guy, everyone was taking pictures so I decided to the same. The crowds in there was unbelievable. And it wasn't just your typical "geek" (or Otaku in Japanese) types, being Japan lots of people are interested in this stuff of all ages. I actually stayed less then I expected simply because the crush of people was intolerable, especially by the bigger booths like Capcom and Square Enix.. you literaly just have to go with the flow or get trampled.

Sadly because of all the people most of the demos and limited space theatres had lineups of over 1 hour. Square Enix had a secondary booth setup just to sell their goods.. even THAT had a lineup of an hour long, just to BUY stuff.

I was wanting to check out the latest from Sony and Square Enix mostly and saw.. some of what I wanted to. Most of Square's REALLY good stuff was in a "closed" theatre, and again the lineup was just toooooo long. Some of the new hardware from Sony looked interesting, but inside some of these booths they DID enforce the no photography rule so couldn't take pictures of anything really good.

Speaking of the Otaku earlier, they also had one area dubbed "Cosplay alley" essentially it's where people dress up as anime or video game characters. It's quite different, these people weren't paid, they just enjoy doing this sort of thing. Some of the outfits where downright impressive, actually most of them were. Took photos of a few to show you what it's like.

The photos are divided between the shows and the cosplayers... didn't make it to Mt Fuij today, might go on Thursday, just checked out a nice park here and rested up my leg, think I pulled something, glad it happened now and not at the start!

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