BitSummit 2027
Overview
Japan's largest indie game festival, held annually at Miyako Messe in Kyoto. The 2026 edition ("BitSummit PUNCH") set a record with 68,208 visitors and 496 booths over three days. Built around hands-on demos where developers from Japan and abroad let visitors play their new titles directly, it also serves as a meeting point with publishers and international media. The 2027 dates (May 21-23) were announced at the closing ceremony.
Foundation
- Founded
- 2013
- Founder
- James Mielke and colleagues
Launched in Kyoto in 2013 as a venue to showcase Japanese indie game developers to the world. It has grown into the centerpiece of Japan's indie scene, with major companies such as Nintendo and Sony now exhibiting alongside independent creators.
Transition
- 2013 First edition held in Kyoto as a venue for showing Japanese indie games to the world
- 2025 BitSummit the 13th: Summer of Yokai held, with over 58,000 visitors
- 2026 BitSummit PUNCH (May 22-24) set a record with 68,208 visitors and 496 booths
- 2026 The 2027 dates (May 21-23) announced at the closing ceremony
Voices
A creator's-eye report covering the demo booths and developer interactions from business day onward (from AICU's on-site report, in Japanese)
Walking the public days, the writer finds the reason BitSummit is loved in the closeness between visitors and exhibitors (from cmex.kyoto's field report, in Japanese)
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