The Tokyo Game Show Turns 30: Tracing the History of Video Game Evolution

Industry dignitaries gather to kick off the 2026 show. (Courtesy CESA)

Masuda Tsutomu, who oversees TGS. During his time at Capcom, he handled promotion for titles including Resident Evil and Monster Hunter. (© Nippon.com)

The inaugural TGS venue. (Courtesy CESA)

Visitors watch demonstrations of new Xbox and PS2 games at TGS 2001 Autumn. (© Reuters)

The e-Sports X professional gaming competition has become one of the highlights of TGS. (Courtesy CESA)

Indie games are also showcased through dedicated areas and competitions. (Courtesy CESA)

The Game Academy Area brings together educational and research institutions involved in game development. (Courtesy CESA)

At the Family Game Park, children who have grown up with programming as a required school subject, particularly in Japan, can play and learn alongside their gamer parents. (Courtesy CESA)

Cosplayers add to the excitement at the venue. (© Stanislav Kogiku/Sopa Images via Reuters Connect)

CESA’s Masuda (left) and Kawamura. Both turned their passion for games into careers in the industry. (© Nippon.com)