We recently attended the Tokyo Game Show (TGS), and it was hands down the best video game convention we’ve ever experienced!
The scale, the energy, and the thoughtful approach to crowd management gave us an unforgettable window into Japan and Asia’s thriving gaming scene.
The Massive Scale
The booths at TGS are in a league of their own. Major companies command enormous floor spaces that make it obvious they’re investing heavily in the show.
What really struck us was seeing how many publishers who dominate in Asia—particularly from China and Korea—are using TGS as their launchpad to Western markets. We discovered brands that we’d never heard of with sprawling, polished booths showcasing games like Crimson Desert. These companies are clearly serious about establishing their flagship titles on the global stage.
Focus on Player Engagement
The biggest difference from other conventions, like Pax West which happened recently, is that we noticed at TGS was how exhibitors thought about attendees.
Rather than treating demos as one-and-done experiences, booths built activities around their games—scavenger hunts, social media challenges, photo opportunities.
This approach was really clever. By getting players to participate beyond just picking up a controller, exhibitors were converting casual interest into social media follows and word-of-mouth buzz.
Fair warning though – booth staff can be pretty assertive about pulling you in to check out their games. They’re not shy about pitching!
Smart Crowd Management
A favorite innovation at the show was how TGS solved the line problem. For popular demos, they used a ticketing system where you’d reserve a spot and get a return time—no standing around for an hour. Kind of like Disneyland’s old Fast Pass System. This completely transformed the convention experience. Instead of being stuck in queue hell, you could wander the floor, check out other games, and come back when your slot was ready. It’s such a visitor-friendly system that we were surprised more conventions haven’t adopted it. You end up seeing far more of the show!
Standout Games and What’s Coming
TGS offered a solid preview of where gaming is headed:
AAA Showcases: Battlefield 6 had a massive, tournament-style setup that felt like an esports arena—it was impressive to see that level of commitment to a single game.
The Genshin Impact Influence: There’s a clear trend of games borrowing Genshin’s anime-inspired art style and open-world formula, especially from Chinese developers. Some are adding interesting twists, like mixing melee combat with gunplay in creative ways.
Indie Gems: A favorite discovery was an indie that mashed up roguelike RPG mechanics with blackjack—you literally use your card hand to determine your attacks. It sounds wild, but it worked surprisingly well.
If you’re serious about gaming and want to understand where the industry is moving—especially with Asia’s explosive growth—TGS should be on your radar.
The energy is infectious, the crowd management is brilliant, and the quality of games on display makes it worth the trip!
Here’s the photo dump for your viewing pleasure:
