TGS – Tokyo Game Show Episode II

TGS

The message delivered at the TGS last week by many of the top Game Executives was that its not the hardware that will be ruling the industry – but in fact the software. The Big Three (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo) console makers now find themselves competing with mobile smart phones and the ever evolving Apple iPhone. Content as always, is KING. The threat of applications being developed and hosted on the Appstore for a mere 99 cents bites into the console gaming market.

Announcements were made by heads of Sega, Sony to name a few were that diversification was on its way. Software development for all platforms and for all markets – not just Japan but the greater Western world would be in the pipeline.

More notable themes of the TGS were:

• Economic Recession = less exhibitors and less attendees – approx. 27000 in 2009 vs 105,000 in 2008 on the first day of opening.
• More Mobile gaming exhibits were present at the TGS compared to last year.
• Content will become downloadable in future.
• Strength is relying on the internet and social media networks to capture gamers.
• Console prices dropped.
• Game Publishers now develop content for ALL consoles…Where does your loyalty live with?

Main Game Titles on Display -

• Assassins Creed II
• Call of Duty II
• Gran Turismo 5
• The Last Guardian
• Ninokuni: The Another World
• MetalGear Solid Peace Walker
• Final Fantasy XIII
• End of Eternity
• Lunar
• Last Ranker
• White Knight Chronicles 2
• Phantasy Star 2 Portable

Other Areas of Interest

1. Game Schools – Universities showcasing their courses to future game developers
2. Business Solutions – Solutions to help Gaming Publishers – Payment, Music, Font, Delivery.
3. Mobile – Games developed specifically for Mobile Phones.
4. International Area – developers and Publishers from Specific Countries housed under one roof – EG: China, Canada, Taiwan, Holland.
5. Kids – Yes, even an area just for children’s games.

Official Attendance TGS

Day 1 – 27,435 Visitors (2008: 27,305 Visitors)
Day 2 – 24,605 Visitors (2008: 24,178 Visitors)
Day 3 – 61,138 Visitors (2008: 71,639 Visitors)
Day 4 – 71,852 Visitors (2008: 71,166 Visitors)
Total: 185,030 Visitors (2008: 194,288 Visitors)

The eBook Battle

The closest I’ve come to an eBook is my old Palm PDA. I use to download scripts of my favourite movies for long car rides. Pulp Fiction on PDA. Predator on the Palm. Nowadays, things have changed a bit, but eBooks still seem to be grappling to take a foothold – in the Singapore market, at least.

Generally, there are two main eBook products with many third parties, a distant third. (as an example, see Cnet Asia here)

The Amazon Kindle (and the more recent Kindle 2) is the front runner, thanks to Amazons early efforts and backed by its winning formula online shopping site and book archive.

In the opposing corner, the Sony Reader Digital Book PRS-700BC , the primary challenger.

In addition to being able to read ebooks on the iPhone,  I’m convinced Apple is also about to officially join the royal rumble with their intended tablet, which more are claiming will land in early 2010.  Dell, Intel, and HTC amongst others are reportedly going down the same tech path, I can imagine, we could soon all be like the flintstones and their rock tablets. But, lets not.

So, why don’t I (or most people) own an eBook reader?

Apple v PC (iBookG4 v Sony Vaio SR36GN)

Not my Ibook, just an image by philomglol via Flickr

Over the last 7 years, I’ve moved from a PC (HP Tablet) to the Apple ( iBookG4) and now back to a PC (Sony Vaio SR36GN).

Switching between computers has always been more a reason of circumstance than reasoned and determined consumer choice. My flatmate had gotten me a good deal on a refurbished Tablet, since he worked at HP. It was nice, shiny and gimmicky for being able to write on the screen with the stylus, which for 2004, was quite something. This, of course has been blown away by the iPhone interface.

I used the tablet for 2 years, and during that time, the performance became so slow, it was like watching George Bush JR. try to shake hands at a G4 summit, with his international counterparts and everyone, rightfully snubbing the silly little man. Cringe worthy. I guess this may have had something to do with the fact that the tablet had been refurbished.

I managed to get ahold of an iBook. Yet another hand me down, given to me because my then-gf, who had used it for 3 years before that, had upgraded to an Apple Powerbook…yes, she saved up long for it and brought it after finding a very good deal in Holland Village. Which is in Singapore, of course.

I had used the iBook for more than 2 years (06 to 09) until the usual problem I have encountered countless times with Apple reared its ugly head. The horrific poorly constructed cord connection. This has happened to my iPod ear buds 3 times in immediate succession, and finally seemed to have happened with the battery cord. The connection point at the jack had worn and chafed until the plug couldnt dependably charge the computer unless I wiggled and placed it at odd angles.

Understandably, frustration set in, and due to a lack in faith of needing to deal with the Apple store finding and getting me an new battery cord for an outdated Apple model, i resigned to getting a new computer.

I chose to go for a PC.

Reason: Affordability. A low end Apple costs about as much as a high end specification PC.

In my case, a Sony Vaio SR36GN with 4GB memory, 320GB, graphics card with high refresh rate.

The salesman also played a role in choosing to purchase the Vaio as he was willing to up the memory from 3GB to 4GB, and throw in a bluetooth mouse.

Its been more than 6mths of use for the Vaio. The blue tooth mouse was an unknown china brand…it sucked.

At this point, if not for the battery cord, the Apple seems to have an overall sturdier dependability to it. Will need to reassess this again in a few months time. General thoughts and experience are as follows:

Differences I’ve noticed:

Connecting to Wireless: The Apple would have little if any lag time joining our home wireless network. The Vaio needs to take 4-8 secs to jump on. My hurry up and wait mentality finds this a bit frustrating.

System: The PC – Windows system is easier to use and more intuitive. I used the Apple for 2 years. My preferenc

e may be attributable to growing up with Windows. My Apple always had trouble uploading movies from my camera and I found the Apple app for managing my photos always troublesome. The Windows basic upload and store trumps this in my book any day.

Battery Life: After a full charge, the Apple seemed to long laster than the Vaio, despite my iBook being a well worn hand me down. The Apple seemed to hibernate better and for longer. After typical usage 2 -3 hrs and then leaving it over night, and through the day until getting back after work, the Vaio would be on its last legs, whilst the iBook would still only have dropped 5-10% in battery.

Heat Management: My Apple would get very hot under the casing, thoug to be fair this may be attributable to old age. The more recent Vaio has an area on the  left hand side which fans out hot air,  dispersing the heat evenly.

More thoughts to come over time. Have to give the Vaio an even stick.