Spring Tokyo Game Show cancelled
For good, according to organiser CESA
Core Magazine is reporting that the Spring Tokyo Game Show 2002 has been cancelled due to falling attendance figures. Organiser CESA (the Computer Entertainment Software Association) is concerned that fewer corporate clients are bothering with the twice-annual event and in turn fewer visitors are making the journey to Tokyo to see them. CESA have explained that they intend for TGS to be an annual event from now on, losing the Spring show for good. This leaves the Autumn event, which takes place this year from October 12-14. Microsoft will be hit the hardest by the cancellation. They will now have to put their full effort into making sure the forthcoming Autumn TGS goes without a hitch. It is understood that Microsoft have the largest reservation of floor space at the event and from here they will be forced to prepare the Japanese for the launch of Xbox as much as five months further down the line. Either that or they will arrange an event of similar drawing power nearer the time. Last month, London's ECTS was condemned by trade and press for the low exhibitor turnout and the large number of 'fanboys' taking the place of legitimate visitors. Many companies whisked their visitors away to plush venues for daylong presentations and demonstrations of new hardware and software. None of the major console players bothered with ECTS, preferring to do their business in private, and large publishers like Electronic Arts, Capcom and Havas took their business elsewhere, while others like Konami didn't even go that far. The cancellation of the Spring Tokyo Game Show is a sign of the times.