Tokyo Game Show 2024: Key Takeaways From The Recent Show

The Tokyo Game Show began on Thursday, featuring a dedicated area for showcasing cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology aimed at enhancing video game development, as the industry continues to struggle with a persistent labor shortage.

This year’s event boasts a record-breaking 985 exhibitors from 44 countries and regions, all presenting their latest game titles at one of the largest gaming trade shows globally.

A key focus of the event is the AI technology pavilion, where select companies are demonstrating how advanced AI can revolutionize game development.

Tokyo Games Show 2024: How AI Can Revolutionize Gaming

HechicerIA, a Spain-based AI startup, is presenting a software that instantly converts text descriptions into 3D videos, significantly reducing the time required to create game content. By inputting commands like “a man approaches a woman in a cabin” or “a man walks through a jungle,” the software generates appropriate 3D scenes, relieving developers from building such materials from scratch.

“We aim to reduce game development costs by 80 percent,” said Alvaro Saez, CEO of HechicerIA. He also mentioned that major gaming companies have already expressed interest in the technology, which rapidly turns written scripts into finished videos or animations.

Techno-Speech Inc., a startup from Nagoya, is also showcasing its AI-based technology that produces smooth live commentaries for sports games. Konami Digital Entertainment Co. has already integrated the service into its latest baseball game.

Tokyo-based Drecom Co. has developed AI software that automatically generates character dialogue based on pre-defined personalities and traits, streamlining the game scenario development process.

This year’s show has seen a jump in participants, with 2,850 game titles being showcased, up from last year’s 787 exhibitors. Notably, foreign companies make up over half of the total exhibitors, with 535 participants from abroad.

Among the international exhibitors is Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya, which is building an expansive entertainment city near Riyadh. The complex will feature a stadium, Formula One track, e-sports facilities, and the world’s first theme park dedicated to the popular anime and manga series “Dragon Ball.” Qiddiya’s cyberpunk-themed booth, complete with crane games, provides a glimpse of the innovative entertainment hub being developed as part of Saudi Arabia’s shift from an oil-centric economy to entertainment.

Notable industry players, such as Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc., have also made headlines. After a five-year hiatus, Sony returned to the show to unveil the PlayStation 5 Pro, boasting upgraded graphics for superior image quality. The new console is set to launch on November 7.

Meanwhile, Square Enix Co. and Capcom Co. have teased the newest installments in their iconic series, “Dragon Quest” and “Monster Hunter,” respectively.

The four-day event, held at the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, is expected to attract around 250,000 visitors. The first two days are reserved for industry professionals and media, with general admission beginning on Saturday.

General tickets, priced at 3,000 yen ($21) per day, must be purchased online in advance, as they are not available at the venue. Entry is free for children of elementary school age and younger.

First launched in 1996, the Tokyo Game Show has established itself alongside Germany’s Gamescom as one of the premier gaming expos worldwide, particularly in Asia. By contrast, the once-popular E3 event in the United States was discontinued last year.