September 19, 1997.
After a three-day pre-show press conference, the Tokyo Game Show entered its official exhibition period.
This time, the venue organized by the organizers was grand, capable of accommodating over 150 exhibition areas and 200,000 visitors.
Compared to the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo, the Tokyo Game Show was simply a behemoth.
Many game manufacturers participated in this Tokyo Game Show, not only from the Japan region but also some foreign game manufacturers who came especially for it.
Players came in an endless stream, and the scene was exceptionally lively.
At this grand game exhibition, major game manufacturers pulled out all the stops, arranging their exhibition areas uniquely and attractively.
From virtual reality to augmented reality, from ARPGs to casual puzzle games, all types of game were available, dazzling players.
This Tokyo Game Show brought many representative works, such as "sonic the hedgehog," "Panzer Dragoon Saga," "Ghost in the Shell"... and "Planet Fighters 2."
At the same time, the music game "PaRappa the Rapper" shined brightly on the stage, gathering a large amount of popularity.
In addition to these well-known game manufacturers, many independent game developers also showcased their creative works at the exhibition.
Although these works were smaller in scale, they were equally full of unique charm and infinite imagination.
Players could discover many unexpected surprises here and feel the innovative vitality of the game industry.
In short, this game exhibition provided a rare communication platform for players, allowing them to learn about various types of game works up close and experience the rapid development and innovative power of the game industry.
It made people believe that in the days to come, more exciting game works would be born.
...
This Tokyo Game Show, though grand in scale, had a very ordinary significance.
Because Sega joined.
Sega could be said to be another distinct banner besides Nintendo.
Before Sony entered the game console market, Sega was undoubtedly the most powerful challenger to Nintendo's throne.
However, now these two companies, for various reasons, have failed in the console market and have been forced into a very embarrassing situation by Sony.
However, after Nakayama Hayao and Aoki Haruhi talked at the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo last time, he seemed to have come to terms with things.
Although he lost in the console realm, Sega has become the world's leading king in the handheld realm. In comparison, it seems there's nothing unacceptable.
Times are stronger than people. Sometimes, if you are too fixated on past glory and your own obsessions, it's easy to get stuck in a dead end.
Since Sega had cooperated with Sony before, why not cooperate again?
Although he was extremely annoyed by Sony and Pokeni's betrayal in the middle, didn't Pokeni, that fence-sitter, no, that guy who plays both sides, also help Sega in the handheld realm?
Given that, Mr. Nakayama Hayao felt there was no need to be at odds with money.
Especially at this year's E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo, seeing Sony's presence, Nakayama Hayao suddenly felt enlightened.
Sony's pattern is so grand. From a global perspective, the Tokyo Game Show and the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo give the impression of being in opposition, because both have similar scales and their purpose is to break away from toy exhibitions and thus leverage the advantages of the game industry.
As the leader of the Tokyo Game Show, Sony can even join the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Why can't Sega's pattern be even grander?
To put it simply, it's about making money, and there's no shame in that.
So, Sega's joining this time was undoubtedly something that made all members of CESA (Japan Electronic Entertainment Association) rejoice.
After Sega also joined CESA, it meant that this association was now the true rule-setter for game.
...
As for Nintendo?
While the Tokyo Game Show was in full swing.
Nintendo chose to host its own "Shoshinkai" – Nintendo Shoshinkai.
It did not participate in this Tokyo Game Show.
It's clear that Hiroshi Yamauchi wanted to avoid embarrassment, but was also dissatisfied with the Tokyo Game Show's massive scale, which allowed Sony to gradually grow, so he started his own event.
However, from the results, although under Nintendo's pressure, the Shoshinkai did attract many game manufacturers, with a total of 77 electronic game companies and over 30 distributors and operators attending.
But in reality, everyone could see that Nintendo's appeal was declining.
The number of participants in the entire Tokyo Game Show was more than double that of the Shoshinkai.
Moreover, the number of players reached an unprecedented 200,000.
In contrast, the Nintendo Shoshinkai only had over 7,000 people.
Hiroshi Yamauchi was furious, but there was nothing he could do.
Nintendo was like a tired tiger, and everyone could see that the new tiger king would undoubtedly be Sony.
Even though he was already somewhat exhausted, even decrepit, and his body was failing, Hiroshi Yamauchi had to maintain a sufficiently tough stance. Before he completely fell and was trampled upon by Sony, any act of caving in to Sony would make him lose all his prestige.
If attending the Tokyo Game Show meant bowing down, then his nominal tiger king status would be attacked by everyone.
Hiroshi Yamauchi was very clear about this, so no matter how grand the Tokyo Game Show was, no matter how many advertisements, friendly companies, and channels were there, for Nintendo, these were not options to consider.
...
At the exhibition,
Ken Kutaragi found Aoki Haruhi, his face beaming with smiles.
"Every year before, I invited President Nakayama, but he never came. I didn't expect Sega to want to participate in the Tokyo Game Show this time. It's truly surprising."
Ken Kutaragi shook his head, still finding it incredible.
"When I reported this to President Ohga, he jumped out of his chair in surprise."
"Hahaha," Aoki Haruhi laughed heartily, "This is what happens when the pattern opens up. It means President Nakayama has also come to terms with things during this period. Why should he confine himself to his small circle and refuse to come out?"
Aoki Haruhi picked up a glass of water, "This is Sega,"
Then he picked up a larger glass water pitcher from beside him, "This is Sony."
Ken Kutaragi next to him was so amused he couldn't stop laughing, quickly pressing his hand, "No, no, this is CESA."
"Hmm, or rather, this is CESA."
Aoki Haruhi said, "When a company operates alone, the water is limited, but..."
He poured the water from the cup into the pitcher.
"Like this, everyone has more water, and more resources. Isn't it better to band together for warmth than to fight alone?"
A tourist was about to come over to pour some water, but seeing Aoki Haruhi pour the water from his cup directly into the pitcher, he couldn't help but lose his composure.
He shook his head and went to other places to look for bottled water or something.
There were too many people at the scene; there truly were all kinds of people. This person had no public ethics, did he?
Watching the person leave, Aoki Haruhi rolled his eyes.
My water hasn't been drunk; it's completely clean, okay?
"So this problem is actually easy to understand. For Mr. Nakayama Hayao, although there's a small grudge with Sony, why be at odds with money?
Moreover, Sega isn't Nintendo. President Hiroshi Yamauchi is completely stuck on the throne with no way out, but Mr. Nakayama Hayao can advance or retreat. Making this decision now is actually very wise."
"Mm-hmm."
After listening to Aoki Haruhi's words, Ken Kutaragi smiled even more happily.
Speaking of which, the first time Nintendo tore up the contract and terminated cooperation with him felt like just yesterday, yet now Sony has already surpassed them.
It felt incredible to recall.
Ken Kutaragi sighed, feeling that time passed so quickly, like a fleeting dream.
Who would have thought that four years ago, Nintendo was still at its peak?
Now, it has become an old king in decline.
Although he still appeared to be on the throne, it was in name only.
At least in the console realm, Nintendo could already declare defeat.
And the person leading Sony's game consoles and the current Sony Computer Entertainment was him, Ken Kutaragi.
Although he never thought he could defeat Sega and Nintendo at first, when he truly reached this point, his heart was still filled with infinite passion and excitement.
Who wouldn't be excited? As the person who created the Sony electronic game empire, Ken Kutaragi deserved this pride.
Aoki Haruhi silently observed Ken Kutaragi's expression, a wave of amusement rising within him.
"By the way, when are you starting the research and development for your PS2?"
His voice suddenly pulled Ken Kutaragi from heaven back to earth.
"Huh?"
Ken Kutaragi was a bit dazed, staring blankly at Aoki Haruhi.
"Didn't I show Mr. Kutaragi our new model before? 2B Miss, don't you remember?"
"Ah... how could I not remember? That, we are already preparing, already preparing."
Ken Kutaragi coughed twice awkwardly, "By the way, I still have something to do. You guys go ahead, I won't bother you."
Watching the middle-aged man's retreating back, Aoki Haruhi couldn't help but chuckle.
Indeed, Sony has no plans for new game console development in the short term.
It seems that this side probably can't be pushed.
...
The Tokyo Game Show was in full swing, drawing everyone's attention.
Especially for Pokeni, players were particularly excited.
They originally thought that Pokeni would continue to showcase "Borderland" at this exhibition, as this game is currently only released in the Europe and America region, and there has been no news here in Japan.
Who knew there wasn't any at all?
Pokeni directly brought out several new game.
Good heavens, the friendly companies next door were all amazed. Is Pokeni doraemon?
How can they always have an endless supply of new game?
Look at Square next door; one final fantasy 7 has participated in so many electronic exhibitions for so many sessions, and they never thought of changing it up.
Miyamoto Masafumi:??? Are you being polite?
...
At this Tokyo Game Show, Pokeni showcased three new game.
One of them was the upcoming "FATE/STAY NIGHT."
Another was "my robot girlfriend."
And one more, "my future girlfriend."
All three game were galgames, which truly opened the players' eyes.
...
However, although they were called three games, except for FATE which was already completed, the other two games were actually just test versions, without voice acting, and only partially completed. The reason for showcasing them was to prepare for future releases.
Pokémon and Borderland did not appear, which inevitably disappointed players.
However, when they saw the Pokeni booth Miss, everyone's eyes lit up again.
In the FATE exhibition area, there stood a blonde anime girl, wearing blue armor, holding a Claymore, both cute and cool.
Next to her was the robot girlfriend, dressed in a shimmering, form-fitting mechanical suit, with a short skirt and long legs, making her very eye-catching.
Moreover, the Miss playing the role had a strong sense of conviction; throughout, the robot was a robot, with no smile on her face.
Although her movements were similar to humans, she tried her best to maintain the persona of a [robot without emotions].
Aside from occasionally needing to use the restroom, Aoki Haruhi truly admired her.
But thinking about it, cosplayers are all people with a strong sense of conviction.
If it were him, he simply couldn't do any of that.
The future girlfriend exhibition area was much better. Because it was a modern urban love story, all the Miss were very beautiful, dressed like normal beauties, and they were also going for a youthful look.
It was especially heartwarming.
Fortunately, Pokémon didn't come; otherwise, a big Pikachu standing among a bunch of girls would have been too strange.
...
This time, Kazuma Takahashi truly did a good job. After the lesson from the last E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo, he fully understood the President's intentions. The cosplayers he recruited were all more beautiful and cuter than the last.
Players were a bit shy at first, but there were simply too many LSPs (lewd perverts) approaching to take photos, so everyone gradually got used to it and loosened up.
Pokeni's cosplayers were all very dedicated and cooperative.
Although the robot Miss had no expression, as long as someone wanted a photo, she would wholeheartedly pose with them in various ways.
In short, the players were extremely excited.
"Wow, what a feast for the eyes! I never thought I'd see such a spectacular scene on my first visit to the Tokyo Game Show."
"Pokeni understands players! Isn't this better than the Hedgehog next door?"
"It's also thanks to Pokeni having many galgames and beautiful character designs, and the selected cosplayers are so cute, otherwise it would truly be a disaster."
"Don't you think, Pokeni's aesthetic must be top-notch?"
"The Queen is so beautiful, much better than I imagined."
"No, no, I think the future girlfriends are prettier."
"I prefer the robot Miss; she's beautiful and passionate."
"Huh? You can see passion in a robot? Doesn't she always have the same expression?"
"Sometimes, feeling passion doesn't require expression; the most important thing is body language, and that tacit understanding!
Feelings, do you understand feelings?!"
"I can't understand it, but that doesn't stop me from really liking the robot Miss."
"I prefer the blue-clad cosplayer from Fate. I can't wait to play that game now."
"How great would it be if Pokeni released all these game at once!"
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