The Tokyo Game Show VR 2023 – A Magical Trip to the Japanese Gaming World
The Tokyo Game Show, one of the most important gaming events in the world, is currently taking place. This year, there is also a digital edition of the event that allows attendees to enter a virtual world dedicated to the event, which is also accessible in virtual reality. The virtual space was designed and developed by the Japanese company Ambr, using their “metaverse platform” called xambr. As a media partner of the event, I had the opportunity to explore the VR version of the Tokyo Game Show and share my experience.
The onboarding process for the VR app was a bit challenging, as it required navigating through the Tokyo Game Show VR website to find the direct link to the app on Meta App Lab. The app itself was the xambr platform, which had its own set of challenges, including a rough UI and issues with accepting the terms of licensing. However, once those hurdles were overcome, I was able to download the content and start the virtual experience.
The Tokyo Game Show VR is primarily an exploratory experience, with attendees able to navigate between different virtual islands and visit virtual booths. Each booth was unique and showcased the offerings of various Japanese gaming companies. The booths typically featured images, videos, and 3D models of popular game characters. Some booths even offered interactive experiences, such as grabbing virtual energy drink cans or casting virtual magic spells.
The experience also included quests that attendees could complete for rewards. These quests often involved finding specific information within the virtual world and rewarded participants with new avatars. While the quests were enjoyable, the language barrier, as most of the content was in Japanese, made them challenging for non-Japanese speakers.
Social features, such as chat and photo-taking, were available to engage with other attendees. Additionally, attendees could click on URLs associated with the virtual booths, which opened a Metaverse Quest Browser window while still within the VR experience.
Visually, the Tokyo Game Show VR was appealing, with its cartoonish style and well-designed virtual spaces. The audio, background music, and ambient sounds contributed to a relaxing atmosphere. However, the framerate was often below 50 FPS, which could be improved for a smoother experience.
Despite its technical quirks, the Tokyo Game Show VR offered a magical trip to the Japanese gaming world. The virtual booths of well-known gaming companies, such as Capcom and Square Enix, brought beloved characters to life. The rich and cute virtual worlds, reminiscent of manga/anime culture, made for an enjoyable exploration. The experience provided a taste of the Japanese gaming culture, making it a must-visit for gaming enthusiasts.
Overall, while not perfect, the Tokyo Game Show VR 2023 was a fun and immersive virtual experience that showcased the best of Japanese gaming. If you have 30 minutes to spare, I highly recommend taking a trip to this magical world.