Kaz Hirai opening TGS

SCE president and CEO will kick off Japanese trade show during industry-only TGS Forum 2007.

At last year's Tokyo Game Show, then-Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi delivered the opening remarks at the TGS Forum 2006. The forum is part of Business Day, an industry-only event that traditionally occurs two days prior to the show floor being opened to the public. While many industry watchers anticipated the seasoned exec would address and alleviate the concerns stemming from the PlayStation 3's launch delay and string of bad publicity, Kutaragi was content with primarily touting the PS3's technological superiority.

The Tokyo Game Show 2007 Web site was updated earlier today with news that Kaz Hirai will deliver the TGS Forum 2007 keynote address. The Sony exec's speech will occur on September 20, at the Makuhari Messe International Conference Hall in Chiba City, Japan. Earlier this year, Hirai was named as Kutaragi's successor and assumed the role of SCE president and CEO. Though the speaker has changed, the question on everyone's minds seems to be the same in light of Sony's recent PS3 pricing gaffe.

The Tokyo Game Show has traditionally been Sony's stomping grounds. However, with attendance for the open-to-the-public trade show reaching mind-boggling levels, many have speculated that the other two "big-three" console makers will have a more prominent presence at this year's show.

Last year, Sony unveiled five PS3 games during the show, including Ninja Gaiden Sigma from Tecmo's Team Ninja studio. Microsoft has also used the event to woo the elusive Japanese market. Last year, the publisher devoted much of its preshow press conference to highlighting games developed with the Japanese audience in mind, such as Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi's Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey as well as Namco Bandai's Trusty Bell (aka Eternal Sonata). On the other hand, Nintendo has taken to skipping the event entirely.

This year's Tokyo Game Show will run from September 20-23. As with last year's event, GameSpot will be on hand to provide complete coverage.

79 Comments

  • hazelnutman

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 7:22 pm PT

    No Nintendo? WTF?
    On the other note, x-box isn't as big in Japan, so TGS is Sony time! (without nintendo)

    I can't freakin wait until Final Fantasy XIII... Hope they release a new one to the public. I can't just live on the official trailer and the crappy leaked one alone...

  • princeofgames90

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 5:00 am PT

    i think sony will try to make big time here

  • XanderZane

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 8:33 am PT

    We'll see what M$ announces at this show. Hopefully they'll give us a taste of what's in store for 2008. Otherwise, we'll have to wait until X07 event. Sony should have a lot more to show this year considering they've been lacklustered on titles for the past 8 months. I'm expecting a slew of announcements from them. What's up with Nintendo? They are a no show?

  • kratos_karmakar

    Posted Sep 18, 2007 11:14 pm PT

    sony will own tgs with titles such as o lemme c....MGS4, killzone 2, ff13,o and their dual shock 3.

  • Vishvanath

    Posted Sep 18, 2007 1:32 pm PT

    I can't believe it's already been a year since the last TGS.

  • Shtinky

    Posted Sep 18, 2007 11:48 am PT

    Will be another dissapointment for Sony like last year, I bet.

  • Cloud21212

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 12:41 pm PT

    And on a positive note I can't wait for FFXIII/VS.XIII, KH, and DW6, and mabye some Last Remnent info. And I'm hoping for an announcement of Suikoden 6 I hope.

  • Cloud21212

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 12:28 pm PT

    I know at times I can't stand the 360 or the sony haters. So all the sony haters over here get the hell out or we'll kick you out. AND THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE CUZ STONE COLD SAID SO!!

  • Jin_sonic0606

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 9:40 am PT

    I can't wait!!

  • ooJmong

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 11:48 pm PT

    Kingdom Hearts ONLINE would be freakin' tight. haha Anyone with me?

    Final Fantasy XIII/Versus = Game of the Decade. Possibly.

    Get these Sony-haters out of here. We should start building up a PS3 army. And sorry to be a b1tch, but Microsoft has no chance at TGS.

  • decoy1978

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 9:38 pm PT

    Hahaha good one Geebus!

  • dragonbattousai

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 12:44 am PT

    Can't wait for TGS this year, Nomura said he was gonna be announcing the next Kingdom Hearts game as well as get some new trailers for Final Fantasy XIII. There isn't gonna be a playable demo until 2008 though according to a FF13 fansite that it was said in Famitsu, but we will see trailers

  • staley6565

    Posted Jul 22, 2007 12:31 am PT

    "yay I can't wait for nothing to come out for ps3 this year!"

    Well you've got one thing going for you, your ignorance will save you a lot of money.

    As for me, I've got a couple hundred extra bucks set aside for must have games for PS3 being released "this year"

    I could list all of them, but it'd be a waste of time.

  • AdolChristin

    Posted Jul 21, 2007 10:09 pm PT

    I just want Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII Versus...then again I need a Playstation 3 first...dammit.

  • geebus

    Posted Jul 21, 2007 3:15 pm PT

    yay I can't wait for nothing to come out for ps3 this year! yay!

  • steven141

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 3:25 pm PT

    can't wait till TGS

  • wizard_levy

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 12:40 pm PT

    I'm SO HAPPY we don't have to put up with Kutaragi speaking!

    Kaz Hirai is much better than Kutaragi, he got a little mad over the years

  • c_rake

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 12:02 pm PT

    TGS is going to be awesome!

  • PS3Compass

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 9:17 am PT

    FINAL FANTASY XIII AND FINAL FANTASY VERSUS XIII !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Alucard7321

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 8:45 am PT

    Kaz rocks so much one of my songs is named after him....no joke..its being released later this year on album!

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 3:25 am PT

    Come on Hirai! If anyone can sort out the mess that Krazy Ken has made, it's you. Go Sony.

    Nintendo and Sony FTW.

  • RaNaBiR

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 2:11 am PT

    Hirai-San we salute you!

  • kajtrooper

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 1:45 am PT

    kaz is pwnage

  • Sonovius

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 10:42 pm PT

    Kaz's picture is usually a sign of bad things to come.

  • sony_is_sony

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 10:28 pm PT

    me too calotono ... can't wait to see THE FINAL FANTASY XIII .

  • Rockman_00X

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 9:54 pm PT

    Even Comic Con this year is going to be more entertaining that E3, and it's not even going to be all about video games. Maybe with the exception of the Nintendo conference. Last year the DS booth was crowded as heck, the Sony both was ok, but it wasn't as lively as the DS booth. I'd like to go to TGS someday and Leipzig seeing as E3 isn't going to be worth trying to buy a pass from someone anymore.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 7:43 pm PT

    cool

  • aaron5829

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 7:21 pm PT

    Show me GT5 !! I wanna see the AI in action..

  • dark_drex

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 7:20 pm PT

    E3 was nothing comparing withe TGA magic>> can't waiting

  • JamesL007

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 7:15 pm PT

    Can't wait for the TGS 2007 it going to be a killer I bet, I mean E3 was good but I feel TGS will take the show this year for sure. Peace

  • HXCDEW

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 6:53 pm PT

    Can't wait to see what new games/demos they unveil!

  • Reetesh

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 6:07 pm PT

    Coool! its coming so soon! cant wait

  • Jaster_DCX

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 5:41 pm PT

    when is tgs?

  • calotono

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 5:37 pm PT

    I want final fantasy xiii

  • LonelyPrince

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 5:27 pm PT

    Looks like TGS is gonna be Sony's show. Hey, I'm happy as long as I see some new freakin' FFXIII footage!!!

  • lamprey263

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 5:26 pm PT

    GabuEx, I think you hit the nail on the head with that one. However, the MGS4 release date is March 08 and FFXIII is late 08, so I don't think we'll be hearing the end of it.

  • VladimirCrow

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 4:50 pm PT

    Riiiiiiiiiiiiiidge Raaaaaaaaaaaaacer!

  • castlevaniaX

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 4:50 pm PT

    bghattas wrote:

    There's no doubt in my mind that Kaz will kick butt in September and show everyone why the PlayStation 3 will be the future of gaming. Yes, it has been a slow start but in late 2007 everybody will see what this console will do this year and beyond. Of course, I also hope for a strong showing by MS. As for Nintendo, the marks and casuals they make their money off don't know what the Tokyo Game Show is anyway.

    ******

    The lebanon guy just got it right.

    I'm from KSA ... Rafeeq Alhareery for the win.

  • GabuEx Site moderator

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 4:49 pm PT

    I'll be interested to see what's in store this year. Glad to see that TGS is getting the bad part out of the way early.

    (just kidding, just kidding...)

    @ bghattas:

    "There's no doubt in my mind that Kaz will kick butt in September and show everyone why the PlayStation 3 will be the future of gaming. Yes, it has been a slow start but in late 2007 everybody will see what this console will do this year and beyond."

    That sounds familiar...

    "Just you wait, when the PS3 launches everyone will see the PS3 is the future of gaming."

    "Just you wait, by Christmas everyone will see the PS3 is the future of gaming."

    "Just you wait, by spring 2007 everyone will see the PS3 is the future of gaming."

    "Just you wait, by summer 2007 everyone will see the PS3 is the future of gaming."

    "Just you wait, by late 2007 everyone will see the PS3 is the future of gaming."

    Erm, well, yes, it definitely does appear to be the future of gaming... in the sense that its dominance is always present sometime in the future, never in the present.

  • AnFangs_Endes

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 4:33 pm PT

    Can't freaking wait O_o;'

  • Willy105

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 4:24 pm PT

    Tokyo Game Show!

    Even bigger than E3! For once.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:57 pm PT

    Looking forward to TGS!

  • Link1515

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:52 pm PT

    GrimBee, read the very last paragraph. "This year's Tokyo Game Show will run from September 20-23. As with last year's event, GameSpot will be on hand to provide complete coverage."

  • GrimBee

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:45 pm PT

    Is Gamespot going to cover TGS again this year? Last year they went all-out with TGS...

    Greg Kasavin with his Katanas - THAT ps3 conference (ending with afrika), Homercam, Gamespot tour of tokyo - where to eat and things like that...

    Man, it would be nice for Gamespot to get on form with that again. I remember the SWAG competition from E3 aswell... (funny!).

    Hmm.. Lately, Gamespot has been a little slack, no "the last word" on the front page - Alex Navarro has no more burning answers to those burning questions... and now - Kaz Hirai is taking the headlines! Whats the world coming to!? lol

  • Serious

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:37 pm PT

    There will be a lot more playable demos by September. So the show should be very informative.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:34 pm PT

    Last year's TGS was pretty good. I look forward to this year's TGS.

  • SonicBalla

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:32 pm PT

    KINGDOM HEARTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Can't wait for this show

  • Thorpe89 Site moderator

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:31 pm PT

    Can't wait to catch this show.

  • anthonym45

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:29 pm PT

    Kyogre

    "It's funny how all you need to show the Japanese is Final Fantasy and their set for life. The Japanese market needs to open up to more then just RPG's."

    What do u care about the Japanese market; all American play is FPS

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