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Microsoft Opts Out Of Gamescom, TGS
Microsoft has announced that it won't be attending the Gamescom and Tokyo Game Show events this year. Instead, the company says it will put its post-E3 efforts toward smaller events across the world.
Microsoft's Larry Hryb (AKA Major Nelson) broke the news this morning in a statement on his official blog.
As you saw at E3, we have a solid line-up of games launching this holiday, along with other entertainment experiences. We’ve changed our approach a little, though. This year, Xbox will be focusing on smaller, more localized promotions and experiences for press, partners, retailers, and customers around the world. Which means that as you might have seen on some of the news sites today, we won’t be taking part in gamescom or Tokyo Games Show this year.
Nintendo and Sega previously announced that they won't be attending Gamescom, which is the largest gaming event in the world. Several days are open to the public, which attracts throngs of fans to Cologne, Germany, from across Europe. As we saw at E3, Microsoft is leaning heavily on third-party developers. While their absence means that players won't likely get their hands on exclusives such as Gears of War: Judgment or Halo 4, they're sure to see games that shared Microsoft's stage such as Tomb Raider, Resident Evil 6, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.
Microsoft's plan to opt out of Tokyo Game Show is less surprising, considering the difficult time the company has had courting Japanese gamers. Its booths have traditionally had a mix of first- and third-party games, so perhaps the company is just deciding to let its partners do the heavy lifting this year.
Gamescom is from August 15-19 in Cologne, while Tokyo Game Show takes place between September 20-23.
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