Domestic game companies shone with their presence at TGS (Tokyo Game Show) 2026. At TGS, where Japanese game companies, the stronghold of subculture, and top game companies from around the world gathered, each company's booth captured visitors' attention by highlighting its unique charm.
At this year's TGS, NC unveiled for the first time a playable build of its subculture new title 'Astra Oration' (Asora). Even on Business Day, when only game industry insiders and media could enter, a 90-minute queue formed as people tried to try out the game build.
NC decorated its demo space with wooden desks, stands, picture frames, and other items to recreate the atmosphere of an administration within the game's world. A large LED installed above the booth continuously played videos featuring characters and game-related content.
The background of Asora is Tokyo in 1989. To showcase this, NC installed a Tokyo Tower model at the booth. Director Im Jong-gyu explained that since Tokyo was the most prominent location within the genre, they introduced it head-on.
Nexon unveiled for the first time its subculture new title 'Paradolia,' which is being developed by the team behind 'Blue Archive.' At the booth, Nexon recreated a real-life tasogarekan (twilight hall) from the game and had cosplayers welcome visitors.
A wait of over 90 minutes also occurred for those trying out Paradolia.
Behind the Paradolia booth was a setup for 'Lineage M.' Visitors sat around a bonfire model, the symbol of Lineage M, and enjoyed the game.
In front of the Lineage M booth, a cosplayer dressed as Nao, the game's representative character, welcomed visitors and greeted them.
Netmarble, which brought three new titles, powered up its booths with various sculptures. At the core of this year's TGS, the 'Shangrila Frontier: Seven Strongest Species' (Shangp) booth featured a sculpture depicting the protagonist Sanraku in battle that captured visitors' attention.
To promote 'Solo Leveling: Arise,' a new sculpture of Seong Jin-woo was created. Karma is the third game made under the Solo Leveling IP and features a story not present in the original work. To maintain the atmosphere of the original, Netmarble underwent rigorous review by the original author.
For 'Pearl in Blue,' which made its debut at this year's TGS, awareness was low, but as a typical subculture genre title, it captured the attention of passersby. Netmarble raised interest in the game through cosplayers.
Smilegate showcased its new titles 'Dead Account: Two Blue Flames' and 'Mirai-shi: The Unseen Future' at this year's TGS. Dead Account, based on a popular Japanese manga, received significant attention even locally in Japan.
Smilegate installed a scoreboard at the 'Dead Account: Two Blue Flames' booth to reflect demo results on a real-time ranking, provide prizes, and offer frames that can be used in-game upon future launch.
At the 'Mirai-shi: The Unseen Future' booth, cosplayers dressed as game characters captured visitors' attention. Five characters appeared: Itsuka, Ende, Tieria, New, and Lemon.
Shift Up set up its presence at the SEGA booth. Visitors lined up to try out the Nintendo Switch 2 version of 'Stellar Blade.'
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