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INDIE Live Expo 2026 Opens Game Submissions
Developers and publishers hoping to get their games in front of a global audience can now submit titles for the next INDIE Live Expo. INDIE Live Expo 2026.12.1 will take place digitally on December 1, marking the 15th edition of the long-running Japanese indie showcase.
Submissions are now open for its INDIE Waves segment, which will feature more than 80 games through the event’s fast-paced collection of trailers and gameplay footage. Interested developers need to provide a 30-second trailer alongside 15 seconds of gameplay footage for consideration, with submissions closing on September 28 at 7:59 PM PDT, or September 29 for audiences in Asia.
INDIE Waves Will Showcase More Than 80 Games
The returning INDIE Waves segment is built around short introductions, giving many games a chance to appear during the broadcast without requiring lengthy presentations from every developer. This year’s edition is also expected to put greater focus on the people making those games.
Alongside the rapid-fire trailers, the show plans to feature more background on participating developers, including how studios were formed, their creative processes and the stories behind individual projects.
Organisers say the previous showcase received more than 1,000 submissions, illustrating just how competitive the selection process can become. Since beginning in 2020, INDIE Live Expo has featured more than 3,300 indie games, while its broadcasts have accumulated over 100 million views according to organiser Ryu’s Office.
INDIE Live Expo Returns on December 1
The December showcase will be broadcast in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean across YouTube, Twitch, X, Steam, Niconico and bilibili. Cygames will once again support the INDIE Waves portion of the event.
For developers seeking additional visibility before the end of the year, submissions can be made via the official INDIE Live Expo website. INDIE Live Expo 2026.12.1 takes place on December 1, with further information about participating games and the full programme expected closer to the event.
Given that more than 1,000 games were submitted for the previous edition, anyone hoping to make that eventual list of 80-plus titles will have plenty of competition.
