Tokyo Games Show attracts visitors in record numbers

The Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA), the organiser of the Tokyo Games Show has recorded an attendance of more than 170,000 visitors during the three day event.

Taking place at the Chiba Prefecture's Makuhari Messe convention centre on 16th-18th September 2005, CESA reports that a total of 176,056 visitors attended, smashing the event's previous record of 163,866 visitors in the spring of 1999; just prior to Sony's Japanese launch of the PS2.

The imminent launch of Microsoft's Xbox 360 console, Sony's planned launch of the PS3 and Nintendo's next generation plans for the Nintendo Revolution are said to be key in the massive attendance record, especially given the number of high profile next generation software titles on show for the first time.

Day one of the event was open exclusively to press and select invitation only guests from the industry, yet 36,068 visitors were recorded. Days two and three were also open to the public, attracting 67,791 and 72,197 visitors respectively. Of those who attended the event on the 2nd and 3rd days, 18,577 were children.

Last year's event saw 160,096 visitors attend, with previous years never quite matching the 1999 record. Held twice a year until 2002, the TGS is attended by industry insiders, world press and thousands of videogames enthusiasts from around the world. Traditionally a forum for significant industry announcements and both hardware and software launches, the event is scheduled to run again in 2006 on 22nd-24th September.

The attendance records for the previous years are as follows:

• 2004: 160,096
• 2003: 150,089
• 2002: 134,042
• 2001 Autumn: 129,626
• 2001 Spring: 118,080
• 2000 Autumn: 137,400
• 2000 Spring: 131,708
• 1999 Autumn: 163,866
• 1999 Spring: 163,448
• 1998 Autumn: 156,455
• 1998 Spring: 147,913