Tokyo Game Show 2021 will be online
Organisers drop physical event for its 25th year, but an in-person press gathering will be arranged
The organisers of Tokyo Game Show have announced this year's event will once again be held online.
The show will take place from Thursday, September 30 to Sunday, October 3 and will build on the online-only format of the 2020 show, brought about by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a press release, the organisers promised a new matchmaking system that will allow exhibitors and trade attendees to arrange private meetings online.
All presentations and talks will be broadcast online with an English translation, in addition to the native Japanese feeds. There are also plans to allow consumers to play special demo versions of various games featured at the show.
There will still be a physical component, however. Chiba City's Makuhari Messe, the usual home of the Tokyo Game Show, will be used to host a press-only event where journalists and influencers will be able to play games and interview exhibitors.
The organisers also hope to allow consumers to experience this with plans for a virtual booth experience that will be shared online.
2021 marks the 25th anniversary of Tokyo Game Show.
Most major games shows are dropping their physical component to account for the slow recovery from the pandemic.
E3 will be digital-only when it takes place this June, as will GDC the following month, dropping its plans for a hybrid event.
However, the organisers of Gamescom are still planning to host both an online conference and a physical event in Cologne this August, albeit with fewer attendees. We spoke to the organisers about these plans earlier this month.
Yesterday, it was announced PAX East will be replaced with PAX Online when it takes place this July.