Cave is a Japanese gaming company focusing on shoot 'em up games, more specifically "bullet hell", for the arcade gaming scene. The fan base is not that big, but very devoted, so every year since 2006 (I think), they have been holding festival days once or twice a year. Basically they sell limited goods, not available anywhere else than at these festivals, show new and modified games, and have a talk show. First years it was held at the top floor of HEY in Akihabara, the game center next to Club Sega. But the venue is very small, and there were simple too many fans who wanted to line up and buy limited goods. This was the first time they held the festival at a bigger place - Akiba Square, close to the station. The event was held August 15, 2008.
The previous time I went, I missed out on a lot of stuff because I got there a little late. This time I wanted to come prepared so I took the first train in the morning.
Not that many people on the train, but there will always be some.
I arrive in Akihabara 4:39.
Even so, there's already a bunch of people here lining up. I went to the first guy and asked when he got there, he said 4:20.
4:45 - The sun rises over Akihabara.
6:23 - It's getting hotter and hotter as the sun keeps rising.
I had no clue how many people were behind me at this point. But suddenly there's a long train of people coming around lead by another guy who are relocating the queue line for them. In Japan, queue lines are almost always very organized, to avoid disturbing other people. It may be split at some point so people can walk through. And there will always be someone holding up a sign saying 最後尾 (saikoubi - end of queue line), and this is where you will enter the line.
It is only 7:36 but it feels like it's 30°C+ already.
Finally we can move to the shade and get our entry tickets soon.
Finally got my ticket at 8:01. Sometimes at these kind of events, you will get a ticket like this so you can go do something else while waiting the last two hours. This is also to prevent people from cutting the line later. If you didn't get one of these earlier, you simply won't be let in. No exceptions. You can also not ask for two numbered tickets at once (i.e. for a friend).
Most people have now got their numbered ticket and line in front of the event space has cleared up.
Here's the table with the goods that they will be selling. Rather measily when you think about it.
The posters. Originally these only came with the PCB kit of a game, which cost a bomb.
The dakimakura case. Not as popular as last time.
At every event, they are selling these one-of-a-kind wallscrolls, each with a famous quote from a game. Price is 50,000 yen or so. They only sell one or two different each time, and it's first come first serve. Took about 30 minutes for this one to be sold. It's a lot of money after all.
They improved the queue line system and added a ton of cashiers this time.
There will always be girls handling your stuff.
After getting my stuff, I line up to get a signed fan. You would only get one if you bought the pillow case.
It is artist Inoue Junya who will be signing it. He is the character designer for many of Cave's games, and is also doing some manga (currently one called BTOOOOM!).
Specifically for this event, he had drawn a portrait of the director of Cave - Ikeda Tsuneki (IKD). Ikeda previously worked for Toaplan until they went bankrupt. After I was done getting my stuff I took a cab home to drop it off and went back.
When not buying swag or playing games, you can chill with the booth babes...
...or try fishing games.
The line up of games. Most were loaded with their latest game Daifukkatsu.
One of the were few girls that were at the event.
Finally, it is time for the talk show.
From left to right: Sakai, Ikeda, Mihara. Not sure what Sakai's role is, but Mihara is the vice president of Arika, the game company that makes the console ports for Cave's games.
Last on the schedule was the competition in which anyone could enter. I think the bald guy here is a famous hi-scorer, and his team won. There was also a rock-paper-scissor game where you could win a Espgaluda 2 kit. I came second. :/
And this is the swag I got. Some duplicates for selling to other people later. People overseas will have a hard time finding these.
Japanese tea cups with the names of enemies in the games Dodonpachi Daioujou and Daifukkatsu. These cups with a bunch of kanji on them are called 油のみ (yunomi), and you may see them at sushi resturants. Those are usually decorated with the kanji of fish names.
This 3D crystal is pretty cool. The thing printed inside is the point block that you want to collect in the game Ketsui.
The stand includes a mirror and lights which change color.
You wont sell those yunomi, right?^^
ReplyDeleteYeah, sorry, not for sale.
ReplyDeletehmm, was a stupid question...
ReplyDeletecave matsuri looks awesome! iam always bad informed -.-"
well, if you change your mind anytime, please inform me.
have a nice day!!!
Happy Summer Day!
ReplyDelete