International Esports Research Conference "Esports Research Network Conference 2026" Adopts "POCKETALK Conference"

POCKETALK Inc. (Headquarters: 7-1 Nihonbashi Kabutocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Executive Officer and President: Noriyuki Matsuda) is pleased to announce that the AI simultaneous interpretation service "POCKETALK Conference" has been adopted for the "Esports Research Network Conference 2026" (ERNC 2026), an international conference to be held from September 15 (Tue) to 17 (Thu), 2026, at the University of Tsukuba University Hall.

"Esports Research Network Conference 2026" is an international conference that brings together researchers, educators, and corporate/organizational representatives involved in esports research from Japan and abroad. In 2026, it will be held in Asia for the first time. This historic inaugural event will be held in Japan, fostering multifaceted discussions that connect the accumulation of game culture with the future of esports.

During the conference, panel discussions, keynote speeches, and research presentations are planned on themes such as the esports industry, education, culture, public policy, and the role of academia. By utilizing "POCKETALK Conference" at this international conference, which will gather diverse speakers and participants from Japan and abroad, we aim to create an environment where the content of lectures and discussions can be easily understood across language barriers, supporting a conference operation that allows more participants to engage in discussions.

The AI simultaneous interpretation service "POCKETALK Conference" to be introduced is a service that interprets and translates spoken content in real-time via audio and text using AI, which participants can then view on their own smartphones. No dedicated app installation is required; users can simply scan a QR code displayed at the venue to access the service. This allows participants to easily use simultaneous interpretation on their own devices, enabling them to more actively participate in international discussions.

POCKETALK Inc., with its mission to "eliminate language barriers," aims to realize a world where people can communicate in their native languages and achieve deep mutual understanding, and has been expanding its "POCKETALK" series globally. We will continue to support the creation of an environment where everyone can interact and deepen their mutual understanding without being conscious of language barriers.

[ "Esports Research Network Conference 2026" Overview ]

Event Name: Esports Research Network Conference 2026 (ERNC 2026)

Dates: September 15 (Tue) - 17 (Thu), 2026

Venue: University of Tsukuba University Hall

Location: 3-2-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Organizers: University of Tsukuba, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Entertainment and Gaming Research Association (EGRA)

Details URL: https://v3.esportsresearch.net/conferences/

Registration Form: https://app.payvent.net/embedded_forms/show/69cf1c8f7b74f52562971854

Conference Chair: Tsubasa Shinohara, Assistant Professor (University of Tsukuba, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)

Co-Organizers: Tobias Scholz, Associate Professor (University of Agder); Sayo Okamoto (GAKU)

[ What is "POCKETALK Conference" ]

"POCKETALK Conference" is a solution that enables easy multilingual conference interpretation using AI technology, without requiring listeners to install any software. Listeners can simply scan a QR code on their smartphones to receive simultaneous interpretation of the speaker's language (42 languages) into 77 languages via audio and text.

Details URL: https://pocketalk.jp/sentio/conference

[ What is the AI Simultaneous Translator "POCKETALK X" ]

"POCKETALK X" is a desktop AI simultaneous translator developed to enable natural face-to-face conversations in multiple languages.

Equipped with a dual-sided display, it instantly translates and displays each other's words, allowing for a natural conversational experience. Furthermore, it features precise voice recognition with a high-sensitivity microphone, a smart sensor that automatically activates the screen upon detecting a person's presence, and privacy features such as one-touch deletion of conversation history, designed for intuitive and secure use in public spaces.

<Sales Prices and Plans>

Rental Plan

Monthly fee: ¥20,000 + tax

Annual fee: ¥200,000 + tax

Outright Purchase Plan

Initial cost: ¥400,000 + tax (includes device cost and 2 years of software usage fees)

Software usage fee from the 3rd year onwards: ¥120,000 + tax per year

Free Trial Application: https://pocketalk.jp/pt-x