BitSummit, the annual indie game festival in Japan, has revealed its 2025 theme, “Summer of Yōkai,” calling the event BitSummit the 13th.
The theme pulls on the fact that this year’s BitSummit is the 13th one, and it’s also more than likely a reference to the classic scary franchise Friday the 13th given the format of the name. However, the theme pulls on more Japanese folklore than classic horror. Yōkai are spirits that can be just as cute and mischievous as they can be wicked. Yo-kai Watch is a great example of a cuter, not-as-scary representation of them.
BitSummit the 13th will be home to all sorts of Yōkai shenanigans from July 18 to July 20 at the Miyako Messe in Kyoto. July 18 is a Business Day where businesses can network and connect, including developers, publishers, and media.
The rest of the event is for fans, and they’ll have the opportunity to get hands-on time with indie games from around the world while meeting the developers. There are also influencer booths where fans can meet with influencers in the gaming industry.
While BitSummit is focused on indie-developed games, it’s sponsored by the biggest names in the gaming industry. BitSummit also revealed the sponsors alongside the theme, and they include the following:
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Nintendo
- Cygames, Inc
- Devolver Digital
- Shueisha Games Inc
- Kakehashi Games
- Pocketpair
- Kocca
- Marvelous
- Aniplex
Fans can see a full list of sponsors here on the BitSummit website. Tickets to the event can be found here, though the site is down for a few hours daily for maintenance. For those who can’t make the event in person, the event will be live-streamed on BitSummit’s official social channels.
John Davis, co-founder and member of JIGA, shared his excitement for BitSummit the 13th:
“BitSummit has grown into something truly special—a community where the games industry and fans come together to celebrate the creativity of Japanese indies. Every year, we hear stories of friendships formed over drinks by the river, new ideas sparked between developers, and deals made in the most unexpected places. We’re thrilled to welcome everyone back to Kyoto to celebrate connection, creativity, and a touch of yōkai mischief!”
For roundups of previous indie-game events, check out the Tokyo Indie Games Summit 2025 and the Indie Live Expo Spring 2025.
