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The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) has announced the first group of sponsors supporting SELECTED INDIE 80, a major indie developer initiative at Tokyo Game Show 2026. The organization also revealed a brand-new recognition program called the SI80 Excellence Awards, designed to highlight standout indie titles participating in the project.
The initiative aims to strengthen opportunities for independent developers by offering free exhibition space and additional support while helping elevate indie projects on a global stage.
Sponsors Supporting SELECTED INDIE 80
CESA confirmed several major companies and organizations backing the SELECTED INDIE 80 program, including:
- Nintendo (Platinum Sponsor)
- Kodansha (Platinum Sponsor)
- PLAYISM (Gold Sponsor)
- iGi indie Game incubator (Silver Sponsor)
- CRI Middleware (Bronze Sponsor)
- Amakusa City (Bronze Sponsor)
- ASK Corporation (Equipment Sponsor)
- auryn (Equipment Sponsor)
- Wit One (Equipment Sponsor)
Selected exhibitors will receive various forms of exhibition support from sponsors as part of the program.
CESA also confirmed that additional supporting partners are still being recruited.
SI80 Excellence Awards Announced
Alongside the sponsorship reveal, Tokyo Game Show organizers introduced the SI80 Excellence Awards, a new recognition system for standout titles featured within SELECTED INDIE 80.
Approximately 10 games will be selected for the awards based on multiple criteria, including:
- creative quality
- level of completion
- overall gameplay experience value
Winning titles will be announced in August 2026, with an awards ceremony scheduled during Tokyo Game Show 2026 itself. Award marks will also appear at exhibitor booths to help highlight recognised projects to visitors, media, and publishers.
Organizers described the SI80 Excellence Awards as a complementary evaluation system distinct from Sense of Wonder Night, which focuses primarily on originality of ideas.
What Is SELECTED INDIE 80?
SELECTED INDIE 80 is a support initiative designed for independent developers, small studios, and individual creators. The program allows qualifying teams to exhibit their projects free of charge in the Tokyo Game Show Indie Game Area with sponsor-backed support.
Applications are open globally, with no restrictions based on nationality, profession, or age. The goal is to highlight creative and experimental projects that might not otherwise receive exposure through traditional publishing channels.
Eighty titles will ultimately be selected to exhibit at Tokyo Game Show 2026 following the application review process.
Application Deadline and Eligibility Details
The application deadline for SELECTED INDIE 80 is April 30, 2026 at 17:00 JST (16:00 MYT).
Selected projects must:
- be fully original titles
- be developed for platforms the applicant is licensed to create for
- comply with CESA and Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO) guidelines
- remain below specified annual revenue thresholds for individuals and studios
- be exhibited physically at Makuhari Messe for the full five-day event
Projects already released overseas with mature ratings equivalent to ESRB “17+” are not eligible.
Automatic Entry Into Sense of Wonder Night 2026
Titles selected for SELECTED INDIE 80 will also be automatically entered into Sense of Wonder Night 2026, Tokyo Game Show’s long-running indie pitch contest celebrating innovative game ideas.
Eight finalists will present their projects during the event’s opening day on September 17, 2026, with the Grand Prix winner receiving $3,000 USD (approximately RM11,884.50)
Tokyo Game Show 2026 Event Overview
Tokyo Game Show 2026 will take place from September 17 to September 21, 2026, at Makuhari Messe in Japan.
Organizers expect:
- approximately 300,000 visitors
- around 3,500 booths
The event continues to position its indie initiatives as a major entry point for emerging developers looking to connect with global audiences, publishers, and media.
