YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — This weekend’s Tokyo Game Show is expected to be the largest in the popular video-gaming convention’s 20-year history.
At least 600 exhibitors — 100 more than last year’s record-breaking turnout that drew nearly 300,000 people — will gather just outside Tokyo Thursday through Sunday to showcase the best and brightest in gaming technologies.
Virtual reality and discussions on the relationship between gaming and artificial intelligence will likely take this year’s spotlight.
Sony is expected to have a large presence, as usual, with multiple press conferences lined up ahead of its Playstation VR release and the announcement of the PlayStation 4 Pro.
Speakers from CAPCOM, Sega, Bandai Namco, Fove and HTC will also make appearances, and Square Enix — well known for popular roleplaying franchises like “Final Fantasy” and “Dragon Quest” — has teased that it will reveal a new game at the event.
Tokyo Game Show also serves as one of Japan’s largest cosplay, or costume play, gatherings. Fans love to attend the convention dressed as their favorite video-game characters. Costumes aren’t required, but are encouraged.