TGS Announces Changes, Expanded Business Functions For 2010 Event

Organizers for the Tokyo Game Show's 20th event announced changes designed to help boost the four-day expo's falling attendance numbers and offer new business day programs and areas. This year's TGS takes place September 16 to 19 at Tokyo's Makuhari Messe, with the first two days reserved as "Business Days" and the latter two open to the public. Though attendance on Business Day was previously by invitation only, organizers will now sell Business Day Tickets to "adults involved in game businesses" who register in advance. TGS 2010 will feature eight new zones, several of which are dedicated to business functions. The Asian Game Business Summit invites key members from leading companies in the Asian game industry to present lectures and join in panel discussions. The summit also serves as "an opportunity to exchange opinions on the directions undertaken by different companies." At the new International Business Consultation Area, another new Business Day addition, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and business coordinators from Asia, Europe, and the United States will provide consultation and support services to companies, promising to "facilitate the smooth running of game businesses abroad." This 20th TGS also has new zones like the PC Online Game Business Area, which offers "opportunities to present and discuss licensing, sales, and partnership regarding PC online games"; and the International Career Pavilion, which enables companies and visitors from Japan and abroad to meet prospective employers and employees. Other new zones at TGS 2010 include the Family Area, Game PC Area, Audio-Visual & Gadget Area, and Mobile Area. The General Exhibition Area, Merchandise Sales Area, Game School Area, Business Solution Area, and TGS Forum will return, too. Organizers for TGS have struggled in recent years to improve attendance numbers; in 2009, the four-day event attracted 185,030 guests, a significant drop from the 194,288 attendees that showed up in the previous year. "Tokyo Game Show has evolved along with the development of the game industry," says the expo's organizers, "and we are now aiming for further growth and striving to establish ourselves as the world’s largest computer entertainment show. We have established a midterm vision to become 'The No. 1 Information Network in the Asian Region' and 'The World’s Largest Event.'