[TIGS2026] First-Ever Online Showcase a Huge Hit! Report from TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT 2026, a Massive Success for Assembled Indie Games

Phoenixx Inc. (Musashino, Tokyo; CEO: Kazunori Sakamoto) hosted the indie game festival "TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT 2026" from March 20 (Fri) to 21 (Sat), 2026, with the main venue at IMAGINUS, the Suginami Science Lab for the Future, in Suginami, Tokyo. The event welcomed a total of 12,978 visitors. Furthermore, the first-ever online showcase achieved a user reach of over 2 million, marking a significant step forward for TIGS. It was a tangible success, delivering the appeal of indie games to a wider audience both online and offline.

**TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT 2026 Event Overview** Dates: March 20, 2026 (Fri) 10:00–17:00 Business Day March 21, 2026 (Sat) 10:00–17:00 Public Day Main Venue: IMAGINUS, Suginami Science Lab for the Future 2-14-13 Koenji-kita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-0002 Tickets (tax incl.): Business Day Ticket ¥6,000 / Public Day Ticket ¥1,000 / TIGS Supporters Ticket ¥10,000

**What is TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT?** TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT is an indie game event that started in 2023 in Kichijoji, Musashino, with the hope of becoming a place where the talents of various creators, centered on indie games, can gather and aim for the top. It continues to evolve as a place where new possibilities are born and nurtured through the unity of creators, fans, and the local community, serving as an "opportunity for creators to present their work and interact with users and other creators," and for users, an "opportunity to discover and experience new games and creators." This year, for its fourth iteration, the venue moved to IMAGINUS in Koenji, Tokyo, and featured more diverse projects than ever before, including the first online showcase using TikTok LIVE and the TIGS AWARD, which was expanded to four categories. The event broadcasted a unique culture that fuses the charm of indie games with local and global elements.

**—First-Ever 'TIGS Online Showcase' Streamed on TikTok LIVE!** Prior to the event's opening on March 20-21, the first-ever TIGS online broadcast program, 'TIGS Online Showcase,' was held on TikTok LIVE from 7 PM on Monday, March 16. Hosted by MC Hyakka Ryouran, the show featured members of the gaming streamer team "TIZZ TRIDENT"—a group of top TikTok LIVE game creators—including Yukidora, Rinatea, Sawako, Jun-kunchi, and Tanaka. The three-hour broadcast delivered segments like "TIGS LINEUPS 2026," which introduced all exhibiting titles, and "TIGS PICKUP," where they played featured titles. The show also announced the winners of the newly established "TIGS AWARD 2026." Streamed to indie game fans worldwide, it garnered a huge response as a showcase that condensed the appeal of indie games. This broadcast was mirrored on the official TikTok LIVE and TIGS accounts, as well as the personal TikTok accounts of all performers, reaching over 2 million users and attracting a large audience.

**▼Full Archive Now Available!** **"TIGS Online Showcase 2026" Indie Game Latest Info & Live Gameplay**

**—TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT AWARD 2026 Powered Up with Expansion to 4 Categories!** The annual 'TIGS AWARD' expanded from last year's three categories to four: Adrenaline Rush, Heart Melter, Brain Spark, and One More Try. The winning titles for each category were selected by a panel of distinguished special judges, including Shuhei Yoshida (Yosp, inc.) and Atsushi Morita (External Director, SNK CORPORATION). The winners were announced during the 'TIGS Online Showcase' on March 16 (Mon), and an awards ceremony was held at the venue on the business day, March 20 (Fri). The award-winning creators gathered to celebrate their achievements.

▼'TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT AWARD 2026' Winners **[TIGS AWARD 2026 Grand Prize]** **'CYCLIA JOURNEY'**

[Category Awards] Adrenaline Rush / 'Onikura' Heart Melter / 'Wabi-Sabi Sushi Derby' Brain Spark / 'CYCLIA JOURNEY' One More Try / 'Insider Trading'

Additionally, the "TIGS AWARD Community" was newly established this year. With GYAAR Studio, which has extensive experience in nurturing and supporting indie games, as an operational partner, a post-award support system for winners has been put in place.

**—Over 180 Indie Games, the Largest Scale Ever, Gathered at the Venue, with Demo Booths Crowded All Day!** On both the business and public days, over 180 carefully selected game titles from Japan and abroad were exhibited. Long lines formed at the demo booths, and the venue was filled all day with the unique enthusiasm of an indie game event where developers and visitors can interact directly.

**▼TIGS2026 Exhibitor Title Movie Now Available! | Indie Game LINEUPS**

**—Bullet Train's Ryoga and Yuki Join In! "Hideout 404" x "TIGS" Collaboration Stage** On Saturday, March 21, a collaboration stage was held with "Hideout 404," a game event project by STARDUST PROMOTION and AOI Pro. Inc. The special stage, where Ryoga and Yuki from Bullet Train played the latest game titles, was held in two parts. They played exciting games in front of a lottery-selected audience. This collaboration, which presented the fun of indie games in a new way, was a huge success and one of the highlights of the event.

**—Kona Yoshimoto of Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora Also Appeared! Public Recording of Indie Game Show "Hachi Lab"!** A public recording of "Hachi Lab," an indie game specialty program broadcast on Ishikawa TV, was held on Saturday, March 21. Guest Kona Yoshimoto (from Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora) played two titles from the event, 'Jinro Burger' and 'MONOWAVE.' During the recording, developers who rushed to the venue were on hand to give her direct instructions and gameplay advice, creating a live stage atmosphere unique to the event period.

**—Kids' Area Also a Success! A Wide Range of Game Fans from Families to Industry Professionals Visited** In addition to the game demo booths by creators, the venue featured a variety of projects and corners targeting a wide audience, from families to industry professionals. The "Programming Workshop by Kids Programming Academy" (held three times a day), where elementary school students could experience game creation with the small PC "IchigoJam," and "make.ctrl.Japan," where visitors could experience games using uniquely developed controllers, were popular again this year. Also featured was a hands-on session (free admission) for the newly introduced "BEYBLADE X"...