Game streamer Pocky ( @Pocky_Sweets ) has been appointed as the official indie game ambassador for " Tokyo Game Show 2026 " (hereinafter "TGS2026"), organized by the Computer Entertainment Association, for the fifth consecutive year.
In addition, the eight finalist titles set to be featured at “Sense of Wonder Night 2026” (hereinafter “SOWN2026”), a presentation event for indie game developers, have been announced.
Pocky Appointed Official Indie Game Ambassador for the Fifth Consecutive Year! Will Also Serve as a Judge for SOWN2026
Pocky ( @Pocky_Sweets ), who is primarily active as a game streamer, has been appointed as the official Indie Game Ambassador for TGS 2026 for the fifth consecutive year!
In addition to serving on the “SOWN” judging panel, he will announce the “Pocky Award” during the event and release gameplay videos of the winning titles.
Pocky has released a statement on his appointment! He’ll continue to showcase the appeal of indie games for the fifth year in a row.
Pocky, who has been appointed as the Official Indie Game Ambassador, has released a statement.
Appointment Statement
I’ve been appointed as the Official TGS Indie Game Ambassador again this year.
I’m Pocky!
The world of indie games is getting more and more exciting every year.
I’m already so excited to see what new games I’ll discover this year!
I’ll do my best to bring you lots of great games!
SOWN2026 Finalists Announced! Winners of the "SELECTED INDIE 80 Excellence Awards" and Sponsoring Companies Also Revealed
The eight finalists set to present at “SOWN2026” —a presentation event by indie game developers to be held on the first day of TGS2026’s Business Days—have been selected.
In addition, the sponsoring companies for indie game projects—including “SELECTED INDIE 80,” which aims to provide a platform for indie game developers to thrive and contribute to the growth of the global gaming industry—have also been announced!
"SELECTED INDIE 80 Excellence Awards" Winners Announced! Which 8 Titles Were Selected?
From among the projects selected for the "SELECTED INDIE 80" indie game initiative, the following eight titles have been chosen for the "SELECTED INDIE 80 Excellence Awards," a new award that evaluates creativity and polish from multiple perspectives!
| Exhibitor Name | Title | Country/Region | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum Award | Ridrox | Finding Polka | Japan |
| Gold Award | Takahiro Miyazawa | Face UFO | Japan |
| Gold Award | Koryu Ishizaki | Adaptation | Japan |
| Gold Award | Studio ZeF | There’s no door that can’t be opened with a key that isn’t black | Japan |
| Gold Award | Yareta | YARETA | Taiwan |
| Gold Award | Valentin Wirth | Become | Czech Republic |
| Gold Award | INTERSCAPE | INTERSCAPE | South Korea |
| Gold Award | Hugecalf Studios | Joint Liability | United Kingdom |
The award ceremony for this award will take place at the " International Party + Indie Night " on Friday, September 18, 2026, the second day of Business Day!
Announcing the 8 SOWN 2026 Finalists! Presentations will be held on the first day of Business Day
"SOWN" is a contest designed to discover indie game developers with ideas that evoke a "sense of wonder" —that feeling where, the moment you see or hear the concept, everyone is struck by a sense that their world has changed.
Now in its 19th year in 2026, “SOWN” has selected 8 titles from a total of 151 entries!
| Exhibitor Name | Title | Country/Region |
|---|---|---|
| Takahiro Miyazawa | Face UFO | Japan |
| Team Gehanashi | ANRI | Japan |
| P.F.J | UNKNOT! | China |
| Software Control | Flip⭐︎Panic! | Japan |
| Honest Banana | Selfie Worm | Taiwan |
| Easy Fox | Teaching My Little Sister to Drive | South Korea |
| Valentin Wirth | Become | Czech Republic |
| Room 127 | LEGACY CODE | Japan |
The eight selected groups will present their finalist projects on Thursday, September 17, 2026, the first day of Business Day.
"SELECTED INDIE 80" Official Website Now Open! 79 Titles from Japan and Abroad Announced
The official website for “SELECTED INDIE 80, ” which allows indie game developers to exhibit for free in the “Indie Game Corner” at TGS 2026, opened on Monday, August 10, 2026.
The 79 titles selected from 1,513 entries (29 from Japan and 50 from overseas) have been announced.
"SELECTED INDIE 80" Hands-On Sessions and Illustration Challenge Corner to Be Held! Free Official Guidebook Distribution Also Available
Here is some information about events related to “SELECTED INDIE 80.”
Playtest Event: “SELECTED INDIE 80 Card Collection”
Each “SELECTED INDIE 80” booth will feature “SI80 Cards” introducing the titles on display.
Visitors who try out each title will receive one SI80 Card!
Collect the cards to participate in a guaranteed-win raffle at the special booth.
INDIE GUIDEBOOK AT TGS 2026
Free copies of the official guidebook introducing the TGS2026 Indie Game Corner will be distributed!
In addition to profiles of exhibitors in the Indie Game Corner and the "SELECTED INDIE 80" exhibitors, the guidebook also features interviews with indie game developers.
- Distribution Locations: Indie Game Corner in Hall 9, 2nd Floor Esplanade, and other locations
Indie Game & Illustration Challenge
An illustration challenge corner will be set up next to the “SELECTED INDIE 80” area.
You can create illustrations using “CLIP STUDIO PAINT (Cristal),” a painting app widely used in indie game visual production!
Your illustrations will be printed on postcards and given to you as a gift.
- Location: Organizer’s booth on the 2nd floor of Hall 10, Esplanade
Announcing the Second Round of Sponsors for the Indie Game Initiative! A total of 12 companies, including Nintendo and Kodansha
Twelve new companies have been selected as sponsors to support indie game developers through initiatives such as "SELECTED INDIE 80."
Platinum Sponsors
- Nintendo
- Kodansha
Gold Sponsors
- PLAYISM
Silver Sponsor
- iGi Indie Game Incubator
- CLIP STUDIO PAINT
- Toei
Bronze Sponsor
- CRI Middleware
- Amakusa City
- Square Enix
Equipment Sponsor
- ASK
- Aulin
- Wit One
"TGS 2026" kicks off on September 17! Tickets are now on sale
Enjoy a variety of game exhibits at "TGS 2026," including an indie game project featuring Pocky as the official ambassador.
Tickets are available for purchase on the official "TGS 2026" website!
Check the official "TGS 2026" X account ( @tokyo_game_show ) for the latest updates!
| Event Overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tokyo Game Show 2026 (TOKYO GAME SHOW 2026) |
| Dates | September 17 (Thu) and 18 (Fri), 2026: Business Days 10:00 AM–5:00 PM September 19 (Sat), 20 (Sun), and 21 (Mon), 2026: Public Days 9:30 AM–5:00 PM *Until 4:00 PM on the final day only |
| Venue | Makuhari Messe, TKP Tokyo Bay Makuhari Hall |