Gamers ready to descend on Hong Kong for annual fair

(AFP PHOTO/CHEUNG KA CHUN)

For the past eight years December has been the month Asia's gaming fraternity has descended on Hong Kong for an event which helps promote the very latest in gadgetry as well as provide the opportunity for people to play the dress-ups that go hand-in-hand with such gatherings.

The 9th Asia Game Show ( http://www.asiagameshow.com) will run December 24-27 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and will feature new products from the likes of the massive Sony Computer Entertainment company, which is apparently planning to reveal 40 new games and to offer huge discounts on its PlayStation Portable device.

Last year more than 450,000 people attended the event - putting it on a par with the other major game events such as the Tokyo Game Show ( http://tgs.cesa.or.jp/index.html) in September and Los Angeles's E3 ( http://www.e3expo.com) show each June - and the 2010 edition will feature a special focus on 3D technology.

There are also, of course, the cosplay events, which allow contestants to dress up as their favorite character from either a game or comic, and a whole host of beauty pageants, signings and game-playing competitions.

A little bit of spice has been added to the event this year with the announcement that it is being endorsed by the Canadian-Chinese singer Edison Chen - the first time the entertainer has had his named linked to a major event since he was embroiled in a 2008 sex photo scandal involving a host of Hong Kong's most famous actresses.

9th Asia Game Show
December 24-27
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibitions Centre
http://www.asiagameshow.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=224089777813&ref=ts

Last year's highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjLPV5KM8Gc

MS