Did you attend the gaming festival “Tokyo Game Show 2024 (TGS2024)” held at Makuhari Messe from September 26 to 29, 2024?

Whether you are actively streaming games or simply love playing and watching them, this was an event you would not want to miss.

The Stomaga editorial team covered the business day. We will leave the blockbuster game reports to the major gaming outlets and instead focus on a niche topic from a streamer’s perspective!

In this report, we explored the latest soundproof booth options at TGS2024 — an essential topic for anyone who wants to stream without holding back.

A Record-Breaking 270,000+ Visitors: A Massive Success

TGS2024 total attendance exceeded 270,000 — an increase of 30,000 over the previous year. Our coverage day, the 27th, saw rain and relatively mild temperatures, making it more comfortable than expected. Still, navigating through crowds and queuing at booths took a toll, so the free energy drink samples being distributed were like “potions” (recovery items from Final Fantasy) for visitors.

Booths for streaming favorites like Street Fighter and Monster Hunter were packed, but the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds drew particular attention. With a playable demo of the unreleased title, the booth was enormous, and many visitors stopped to watch promotional content and demo gameplay.

Stream Without Worry: The Latest in Soundproof Booths

Whether you are a game streamer or a VTuber, noise during streaming is a constant concern. If you live with family or have close neighbors, worrying about disturbing others can hold you back.

Yet trying to keep your voice down while hyping up a stream is contradictory. There is a world of difference between a quiet “yes” fist-pump and a full-throated victory roar after clutching a close match in a fighting game. That raw energy is what makes streams engaging.

This is exactly why personal soundproof booths are gaining attention. Soundproofing technology has traditionally served musicians and instrument players, but demand from streamers has grown significantly in recent years.

While not a booth per se, the standout in soundproofing was the “Gaming Mansion” by Livland Mind. At TGS, they set up a special demo booth with the same soundproof construction as their actual apartments. Even shouting at 120 decibels — equivalent to airplane noise — produced zero sound leakage outside.

Of course, not everyone can rent a dedicated apartment just for streaming. That is why room-installable soundproof booths are the recommended alternative. Our team experienced several models firsthand, and here are our impressions:

ONE-Z loft (Kawakami Sangyo Co., Ltd.)

This booth is designed to fit under a loft bed, making it especially easy to set up for anyone already using one. Made from “Pla-Pearl” (polypropylene), it is lightweight and straightforward to install. It features two cable routing holes and supports up to four attachable fans.

Sound reduction is rated at -15 to -20 dB — modest, but reportedly sufficient to avoid disturbing family members sleeping in another room with the door closed (individual results may vary). The height limits seating to floor-chair level, which may feel awkward for streams requiring an upright posture. On the other hand, being able to stretch your legs out reduces physical strain during long gaming sessions, which could be an advantage for some users.

Dimensions: W1940mm x D980mm x H1380mm
Price (at time of writing): 165,000 yen (tax included)

VERY-Q Plus Zero-Hachi (Miyaji Music)

Constructed from specialized fabric using glass wool and soundproofing material, this booth has a felt-like texture that looks stylish and sophisticated — a good choice for those concerned about interior aesthetics. The tall design means minimal claustrophobia upon entry, with enough room to stretch your arms.

Sound reduction is rated at -30 dB — imagine reducing vacuum cleaner noise to a whisper. This represents a significant level of soundproofing. There are no dedicated cable holes; instead, cables are routed through the seams between assembled panels (with no impact on sound insulation).

One concern worth noting is summer cooling. Rather than using fans to draw in room air, the booth relies on a dedicated spot cooler. During midsummer, with equipment generating additional heat, cooling capacity could be a question mark. However, streaming and gaming equipment can be placed outside the booth, with cables routed through the panel seams — making cable management relatively straightforward even without dedicated holes.

Dimensions: W1440mm x D970mm x H1890mm
Price (at time of writing): 495,000 yen (tax included) — not yet released at time of coverage

GAME BOX (Gifu Plastics Industry Co., Ltd.)

Built with honeycomb-structure panels combined with felt material, this booth offers -17 dB of sound reduction. According to official descriptions, it reduces train interior noise to museum-level quiet. It features two cable routing holes and two ventilation fans.

The single-person low-type model we experienced felt slightly cramped inside, but that also means a smaller installation footprint — which could be a positive for users with limited space. The most notable feature was its brightness: while the bright interior reduces immersion somewhat, it offers a clear advantage for facecam streams, as your face appears brighter and more visible on camera.

The company also offers desktop-type (non-enclosure) models. While these provide slightly less soundproofing than full booths, they accommodate a wider range of needs and room configurations.

Dimensions: W1585mm x D1075mm x H1530mm
Price (at time of writing): 264,000 yen (tax included)

Takeaways

Through our reporting, one important finding was that soundproof booths are effective not only for containing outgoing sound but also for blocking incoming noise.

For example, if an election campaign vehicle’s announcement is picked up during a stream, the candidate’s name and broadcast time can be used to identify the streamer’s residential area. Beyond audio quality, the ability to block outside noise is valuable from a security perspective as well.

In some cases, streamers have even had their locations identified from visible scenery in the background. Using a booth helps control this kind of information leakage. Even if you do not use a soundproof booth, keeping these considerations in mind will help you enjoy your streaming life safely and securely!