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 日本のインディーゲームを世界に発信する場として京都で初開催
- 2025 BitSummit the 13th: Summer of Yokaiを開催、来場5.8万人超
- 2026 BitSummit PUNCH（5/22〜24）が来場68,208人・496ブースで過去最大を記録
- 2026 閉会式で2027年開催日程（5/21〜23）を発表
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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