181. The Demise of Game Trade Shows

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E3 was interrupted by a global pandemic, and then cancelled in 2023 after none of the big console publishers were scheduled to appear. Before that it was Space World, and before that CES. Now with the internet publishers can create their own virtual showcases any time and as many times per year as they want without the cost overhead of sending personnel and materials to trade shows where only a fraction of the audience can attend, making them de facto press junkets.

On the last public day of Tokyo Game Show 2023, Sean and Vinnk look back at their own sparse attendance at these shows, and try to figure out what exactly the world is missing if these cornerstones of gaming experience disappear for good.

(Network note: Yes episodes 181 and 182 were released out of order. Yes we agree it’s strange. Yes it’s Sean’s fault.)

[ Additional Episode Notes Here ]

“One More Continue” and “RPG” theme songs by the Imari Tones: http://imaritones.net. Vinnk and SeanOrange pixel art by Louis Lloyd-Judson: https://louistrations.co.uk.

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