’s gameplay reveal was probably one of the most stunning trailers I’ve ever seen. But still, I can’t help but imagine what the furore would have been like if that video was debuted in front of a live audience at TGS, E3 or a PlayStation Experience-type event.
It’s unlikely that would have happened without the need to justify attendance at a physical show: companies would’ve slumped back into their complacency and left us waiting for the next pint-size video broadcast for more marketing department-approved info. After both Gamescom and TGS, I feel more excited about a lot of the games and developers I met and read about, and surely that’s a net positive for those who attended.
Digital events will always have a place in the marketing and discussion of video games – the world is simply not going back to the way it was before the pandemic. But they can’t bring the video games community together, or build buzz, quite like an in-person gathering. And that’s why many fans and creators currently roaming the halls of TGS will be delighted to be back this week.