[RAM RIDER] Something's Off on the Gaming Front!?! Changes Felt at This Year's TGS

RAM RIDER / Artist / Music Producer

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RAM RIDER “What Should We Play Tomorrow?”

Official Website: https://ramrider.com/

Game Frontline Abnormal!? What Changed at This Year’s TGS

Last month, I participated throughout the entire duration of Tokyo Game Show 2025—the annual gaming festival I’ve joined in various forms every year. This year, I performed as a DJ at the Sega/Atlus booth stage, presenting a set themed around “Persona 3 Reload” (PC / Nintendo Switch 2 / PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / PS4 / Xbox One—hereafter referred to as P3R) and “Persona 5: The Phantom X” (PC / iOS / Android—hereafter referred to as P5X)—and also collaborated with guest vocalists for a performance.

This year’s TGS was packed with highlights, and I had many thoughts that I truly wished I’d written up during the event itself! But since I was performing at the Sega/Atlus booth, I exercised adult discretion and merely took notes. For reference, the day before TGS opened featured a glamorous reception party for media and industry guests hosted by Sega/Atlus in Ginza, where I also performed as DJ. There, I presented a showcase blending music from other Atlus titles—including the Persona series—as well as mixes featuring tracks from all entries in the Yakuza series. The audience energy was incredible—I’d love to perform this again someday for fans of these works.

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P3R is a major remake featuring extensive new content, with the Switch 2 version newly announced. P5X, meanwhile, is a brand-new release designed for PC and smartphones—making it especially notable as an original title not merely a port or remaster. At last year’s Japan Game Awards 2025, the Grand Prize went to “Metaphor: ReFantazio,” which made me think how admirable Atlus is—nurturing beloved franchises while consistently delivering solid new titles. Come to think of it, this column also began with “13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim” (related article). As for the new title from Verdict, which was also showcased on the same stage, I kept pestering my Sega colleague responsible for VF about it at length—yet still haven’t gotten any concrete details. Can’t wait to see everything!

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During the event, I also appeared on 4Gamer’s stage alongside SWERY—the developer of White Owls’ new title “Hotel Barcelona” (PC / PS5 / Xbox Series X|S) (related article). I listened to SWERY, who’s been involved in various games since the 1990s, talk about founding his own company and bringing this project to life—plus insights into the actual game. “Hotel Barcelona” was released just one day after our event, so I felt honored that such an important moment was entrusted to me. The game blends numerous elements inspired by classic horror films with energetic action (in a gory, over-the-top sense), layered with roguelike mechanics—making it truly unique. Personally, if you’re into 90s-style games like “Splatterhouse,” this one’s highly recommended. Your character returns as a ghost after dying and continues aiding you based on previous movements—a concept hard to grasp without actually playing it. It’s an entirely fresh action experience that advances through repeated playthroughs with both easy and hard settings. I’ll definitely be playing the PS5 version myself. Thank you, SWERY!

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Also, I’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Atlus team—especially my contact Takami—for being so accommodating in letting us use 4Gamer’s stage despite competing bookings with other companies’ events. People who love games truly have broad hearts!

And while not strictly during TGS proper, I was especially thrilled by news of “Urban Legend Deconstruction Center” winning the Special Prize at last year’s Japan Game Awards 2025. About a year before its release, someone from the development team approached me at an event saying they liked my music. They handed me a sticker with “We’re making this game now”—and then suddenly it was released and now we’ve won! Just imagining how tough it is for people without prior game development experience to come together and create and launch one title makes me dizzy. The award interview moved me to tears—congratulations again!

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Oh, and speaking of that Sega/Atlus pre-party—what struck me was the dramatic increase in attendance from overseas media professionals this year, especially across Asia. The Makuhari venue echoed with all kinds of languages. And then there’s that bit of online humor about “influencer check-in.” It wasn’t just a joke—it clearly reflects current industry trends. With trailers and latest info now freely available as videos, and demo versions easily downloadable, what TGS is expected to deliver today is the experience itself—a real-world space. That’s why influencers who can authentically convey this user-centric experience are becoming increasingly important—right alongside game media like 4Gamer. So I hope we’ll see more creators who stay true to their own perspectives and aren’t just chasing “sponsored content.” It would be wonderful if TGS continues growing into an even more vital gathering for the global gaming community.

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I hope I’ll get to meet so many people again next year in Makuhari!

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■■ RAM RIDER (Artist / Music Producer) ■■
RAM RIDER currently appears on YouTube’s “Audio Galaxy” and podcasts such as “The Life Entertainment Meeting Room of Non-Industry People” (https://x.com/3pskaigishitsu) and “Storage 2000” (https://x.com/deathrace2003).