2006 TGS to be "largest ever"

A new update on the Tokyo Game Show Web site bills this year's event as the "largest ever." With 2006 marking the event's 10th year, the show will feature the biggest number of exhibits yet, with 134 companies signed up for a total of 1,702 booths. In comparison, last year's TGS featured 131 companies with 1,433 booths. The event is organized by the Computer Entertainment Suppliers' Association (CESA) and Nikkei BP and partly sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

Needless to say, the presence of next-generation hardware will loom large at the show this year. However, the TGS Web site also touts the current shift toward fiber-optic network connections, and the new expansion of online gaming this is bringing in Japan, as another trend to watch for at the show. In addition, workshops for game industry professionals will be held during the TGS Forum 2006. The sessions will cover five areas: online gaming, mobile-phone gaming, characters, developers, and the newly added finance & market category.

The Tokyo Game Show will be held September 22-24 at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. Advance ticket sales will begin July 19 at select convenience stores, game shops, and Internet cafes around Japan.