To all media representatives

August 10, 2026

Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association

< Indie Game Project >

Pocky Appointed as Official Ambassador for Indie Game Area!

SELECTED INDIE 80 Excellence Award Winners Announced!

SENSE OF WONDER NIGHT (SOWN) Top 8 Finalists Announced!

Second Wave of Official Sponsors Announced for Indie Game Initiatives!

The Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA; Chairman: Haruhiro Tsujimoto) is pleased to announce the 8 finalist games selected to present at "Sense of Wonder Night 2026" (SOWN 2026), a pitch presentation event for indie game developers taking place on the first Business Day of TOKYO GAME SHOW 2026 (TGS 2026) on Thursday, September 17. Additionally, video creator Pocky has been appointed as the Official Ambassador for the Indie Game Area for the fifth consecutive year. CESA is also pleased to announce the official sponsors for its indie game initiatives, including "SELECTED INDIE 80," which aims to provide a platform for indie developers to thrive and contribute to the growth of the global gaming industry.

Today's Key Announcements

1. Pocky Appointed as Official Ambassador for Indie Game Area

2. SELECTED INDIE 80 Excellence Award Winners Announced

3. SENSE OF WONDER NIGHT Top 8 Finalists Announced

4. SELECTED INDIE 80 Official Website Launched!

5. Second Wave of Official Sponsors Announced for Indie Game Initiatives

Pocky Appointed as Official Ambassador for Indie Game Area

Video creator Pocky has been appointed as the Official Ambassador for the TGS 2026 Indie Game Area for the fifth consecutive year. In addition to serving as a judge for SENSE OF WONDER NIGHT (SOWN), Pocky will select outstanding titles from a creator’s perspective and present the "Pocky Award" during the event. He will also feature gameplay of the awarded titles on his channel through Let's Play videos.

Pocky, Official Ambassador for the TGS 2026 Indie Game Area

Pocky (Profile)

Pocky is one of Japan's most popular gaming content creators’whose YouTube channel boasts over 3.7 million subscribers and more than 4 billion total views. Widely recognized as a leading gaming content creator and a passionate advocate for indie games, he marks his fifth consecutive year as the Official Ambassador for the TGS Indie Game Area. Serving as a judge for SOWN, Pocky selects outstanding entries from a creator’s perspective to receive the prestigious "Pocky Award." His Let's Play videos featuring these award-winning titles reach a massive audience, playing a key role in sharing the passion, creativity, and joy of indie games with the world.

Ambassador's Comment

"Hello, I'm Pocky! I’m truly honored to serve as the TGS Indie Game Official Ambassador once again this year. The world of indie games is getting more exciting with every passing year. I’m thrilled and can’t wait to see what amazing new titles I’ll discover this time! I’ll do my best to bring you as many fascinating and incredible games as possible!"

Announcement of SELECTED INDIE 80 Excellence Award Winners

Eight outstanding titles have been selected from the "SELECTED INDIE 80" showcase to receive the "SELECTED INDIE 80 Excellence Awards"—a new award program designed to evaluate creativity and quality from multiple perspectives. The award ceremony will take place during the "International Party + Indie Night" event held on the second Business Day (Friday, September 18). The winning titles will be highlighted with "Platinum" or "Gold" badges on the exhibitor title list on the official website, as well as at the SELECTED INDIE 80 booth at the TGS venue.

Award Winners

Announcement of SENSE OF WONDER NIGHT (SOWN) Top 8 Finalists

SENSE OF WONDER NIGHT (SOWN) is a contest dedicated to discovering indie game developers with innovative game ideas that evoke a true "Sense of Wonder"—a feeling that instantly changes one's perception of the world the moment a game's concept or visuals are experienced. Marking its 19th edition this year, SOWN received 151 entries, from which 8 top finalist titles have been selected. The 8 chosen developers will present their works on stage during the first Business Day (Thursday, September 17).

SENSE OF WONDER NIGHT 2026 Overview

Finalists

SELECTED INDIE 80 Official Website Now Live!

The official website for "SELECTED INDIE 80"—which offers indie game developers the opportunity to exhibit at the TGS 2026 Indie Game Area free of charge—launched today, Monday, August 10. The site features the 79 selected titles (29 domestic, 50 overseas) chosen from a total of 1,513 applications. Latest updates and information will be posted regularly, so please be sure to check it out!

Hands-On Demo Activity: "SELECTED INDIE 80 Card Collection"

Each booth in the SELECTED INDIE 80 area will feature an exclusive "SI80 Card" highlighting the exhibited title. Visitors who play a game demo will receive one card per title. Collect these cards to participate in a guaranteed-win raffle at the special booth. We invite everyone to join the SELECTED INDIE 80 Card Collection!

INDIE GUIDEBOOK IN TGS2026

An official guidebook highlighting the TGS 2026 Indie Game Area will be distributed to all visitors free of charge. In addition to introducing the exhibitors in the Indie Game Area and the SELECTED INDIE 80 lineup, the guidebook features exclusive interviews with indie game developers. Distribution Locations: Hall 9 (Indie Game Area), 2F Esplanade, and other designated areas.

Indie Game Illustration Challenge

Visit the Illustration Challenge corner located right next to the SELECTED INDIE 80 area! Why not try creating your own artwork using CLIP STUDIO PAINT, the popular digital painting software widely used in indie game visual production? Your finished illustration will be printed as a postcard for you to take home as a gift! Location: Organizer Booth, Hall 10 2F Esplanade

Announcement of Second Wave of Official Sponsors for Indie Game Initiatives

Nintendo, Kodansha, PLAYISM, iGi indie Game incubator, CLIP STUDIO PAINT, TOEI GAMES, CRI Middleware, Amakusa City, SQUARE ENIX, ASK, AURYN, Wit One and ZOTAC have been confirmed as official sponsors supporting a series of indie game developer initiatives, including "SELECTED INDIE 80." (Note: Sponsors are listed based on sponsor tier and past sponsorship history.)

Tokyo Game Show 2026 – Event Overview

Official Channels

Official X: https://x.com/tokyo_game_show

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyo_game_show/

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tokyogameshow/?locale=ja_JP

Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogameshow.official

Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogameshow

Official Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/tokyogameshow1

Official LINE: https://page.line.me/tokyo_game_show