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Japan Forward
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
[Gamer's World] BitSummit the 13th Brings Magic and Surprises from the Indie Game World
BitSummit is Japan's premiere indie game festival, held annually in Kyoto – and this year's 2025 edition was far and away the best yet. And I should know: I've been to every edition of BitSummit since it was first held as a tiny ramshackle gathering of 200 independent Japan-based game developers in 2013. This July, for its 13th edition – appropriately titled BitSummit the 13th – the show boasted more exhibitors than ever, spilling out of the two main floors of the Miyako Messe convention centre. The very definition of indie spirit, the event has grown organically and exponentially, drawing 58,065 visitors compared to around 38,000 in 2024 and 23,000 the year before (2023). That's a big leap for a small event! I've definitely noticed the rising recognition of BitSummit within the game industry. I go to a lot of global game expos throughout the year, and this past 12 months, I had more indie developers than ever tell me they were planning to go in 2025 – or that they hoped to go someday, or that exhibiting at BitSummit was their dream. This is a testament to the high bar of curation BitSummit has set: Getting your game into the official selection is a mark of quality. It's probably also because of BitSummit's reputation as a highly social event, where developers can quickly meet new business partners and make new friends. The show really nails this aspect, allowing participants to make essential network connections while also blowing off steam at after-hours parties and the show's legendary nighttime gatherings beside the Kamo River. he PlayStation booth showcased over a dozen indie games available on PlayStation 5. Despite featuring more games and more visitors than ever, this year's show felt extremely well designed. Many of the bigger booths were concentrated on the third floor, with platform holders Nintendo and PlayStation hosting a number of games playable on their respective hardware. However, the first floor also had some larger highlights, like PocketPair's booth showing Palworld as well as some other smaller games they are publishing. Overall, the venue was zoned so that you could easily find the types of games you like. Casual gamer who is new to the indie space? Start at the PlayStation and Nintendo booths. Prefer to go deeper and find smaller games made by one-person teams? Or deeper still to check out raw new demos whipped up in a game jam or by university students? Like games with insane controllers? Or board games, or merchandise? There was a corner for each of these and more, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in different islands of the indie game world. Hirokazu "Chip" Tanaka was a pioneer of chiptune back in the NES days, and performed an unforgettable live set on the BitSummit stage. There was also a large stage on each floor, with the first-floor stage playing host to sessions by influencers and streamers, and the third-floor marquee presenting special guests. That had a strong lineup that included live musical performances by pioneering chiptune composer Chip Tanaka and Final Fantasy legend Nobuo Uematsu. It also featured panels with renowned independent developers like Okami/Bayonetta creator Hideki Kamiya and Boku no Natsuyasumi creator Kaz Ayabe. Uematsu's performance in particular drew the biggest crowd in BitSummit's history, according to cofounder James Mielke. The grey-haired veteran musician performed songs from Final Fantasy alongside new songs by his band con TIKI. IGN Japan livestreamed some of the highlights from BitSummit on our YouTube channel, playing a selection of game demos interspersed with developer interviews from the show floor. With so many excellent games to choose from, we had to be extremely picky about our lineup, resulting in an all-killer no-filler selection. Here are some of my highlights from the BitSummit show floor. Henry Halfhead won the IGN Japan media award at BitSummit. Henry Halfhead is the game we picked as IGN Japan's game of the show, presenting developer Lululu Entertainment with the IGN Japan media award. It's a sweet, quirky game filled with curiosity and playfulness, where the player controls Henry, a 3-year-old toddler who can possess any item around him and play with them in unexpected ways. As the demo progresses, gentle narration reflects on Henry's childlike view of the world, resulting in a game that is both mischievous and moving. Dreams of Another is the latest opus from Kyoto-based Q-Games developer Baiyon. A paean to the 1990s original PlayStation days, it features dreamlike fuzzy visuals generated by modern tech, surreal gameplay where you clear a thick fog in each stage with a machine gun to find your way through oblique environmental puzzles, and deliberately hammy dialogue, evoking a bygone age while still feeling fresh and new. Awaysis, the new game from Kyoto-based studio 17-Bit, drew a constant crowd at BitSummit. Another Kyoto studio, 17-Bit, showed its new game Awaysis. This colourful dungeon brawler pits four friends against waves of enemies as you explore a fantasy landscape. A fun physics-based combat system allows players to knock enemies flying, interacting with items around the environments to inflict extra damage, while also engaging in some slapstick friendly fire. With four players and tons going on at once, the screen gets a little busy at times, but it'll be cool to see how the physics elements stack up for unexpected effects in the final game. Love Eternal from developer brika is an intriguing puzzle-platform game rendered mostly in black and white. It has a mysterious story of family tragedy intercut with its well-designed puzzle box levels where you must control gravity to avoid brutal obstacles and reach the end of each screen. One More Plate! is a two-player party game where players must work together to catch falling snacks and feed them to the hungry monsters waiting mouth-open on each side of the screen. The controls are simple but deliberately tricky, and teamwork is a necessity, meaning you'll laugh and argue and sweat your way to victory in the vein of Overcooked. HellHeart Breaker is the new game from Singapore-based developer Battlebrew Productions. Cuisineer developer Battlebrew Productions unveiled new game HellHeart Breaker, a hack and slash roguelite game with a dating sim twist. Monster girls you date unlock additional powers, and the ones you don't become the bosses you fight. This game's cute graphics, 1920s Shanghai-inspired setting and abundance of tasty looking food make it one to watch. The central pun in the title of Building Relationships is that it is a game about both developing bonds between characters, and the central characters literally being buildings. Controlling a boxy house that cartwheels hilariously through an island setting, you must find other houses, windmills and sheds to befriend and romance, all through a filter of retro visuals and arcadey gameplay. The surprisingly risqué dialogue and challenging platforming will bring a smile to your face. But BitSummit is about more than just traditional games, no matter how unusual. The Unique Controller area featured around 20 short, sharp games built around inventive inputs and hysterical outcomes. One of these, Okonomiyaki Taiken Game: Kote no Meijin, was made by students of Tokyo Polytechnic University as a graduation project. It tasked players with flipping an okonomiyaki pancake when prompted by the game. Okonomiyaki is of course a cuisine native to Kansai, where Kyoto is located, so the game seemed geographically relevant. The plastic okonomiyaki device was designed to crumble to pieces quite easily, while the size of the spatulas available – small, medium and large – translated to hard, normal and easy modes. It includes a device fitted with an accelerometer to tell the game when it has been flipped, and other sensors to detect whether it has remained intact. I watched a guy walk up and boldly proclaim that he is a real-life okonomiyaki chef. But as he confidently flipped the pancake and set it down smartly, he misjudged the edge of the table, sending half the pieces scattering all over the floor – and eliciting shrieks of laughter from the crowd around him. Other games were controlled by snakes, digital beer glasses, bananas, spinning office chairs and screams. It's well worth a browse of the X (Twitter) feed of Unique Controller area curator for videos of many of these bizarre devices in action. BitSummit draws a diverse crowd, from hardcore gamers who travel from around Japan and overseas to attend, to locals who bring their families to simply spend a day at play. Daniel visits the official photo booth at BitSummit. This year I had the pleasure of seeing the show through the eyes of a newbie, as an old friend who lives locally and who doesn't usually play games came to check out the show for the first time. Overwhelmed at first by the hundreds of games, the friend quickly became mesmerised watching someone play the humorous game Baby Steps, before finding a few games to try for themselves, chatting with the developers who made them, and eventually leaving the show with a couple of games on their wishlist. That's the magic of a game show like BitSummit. Big enough to offer something for everyone, small enough to be intimate, and filled to the brim with surprises. This year's 13th edition of was far from unlucky – and I can't wait to see how BitSummit levels up again in 2026. Author: Daniel Robson Daniel Robson is the Executive Producer of IGN Japan
Express Tribune
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Nintendo edits key patent amid ongoing Palworld copyright lawsuit
Nintendo has updated the language of a key patent in its ongoing lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair, adding complexity to the legal dispute over alleged copyright infringement related to Pokémon. Since September 2024, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have pursued legal action, claiming Palworld copies elements from the Pokémon franchise. Pocketpair has consistently argued that the patents cited in the case do not apply to its game. Recently, Nintendo submitted a request to the Japan Patent Office to modify the wording in one of these patents, which has now been approved and published, according to Games Fray. The patent in question covers 'smooth switching of riding objects,' including the transition between different rideable creatures, such as moving from flying mounts to land-based mounts within a game environment. The updated language adds detailed technical descriptions while retaining the original core claims, creating a more complex legal document for the case. Legal observers, including consultant Florian Mueller, commented that the choice of wording may be a deliberate attempt to broaden the patent's scope, making it more challenging for Pocketpair to argue for its invalidation in court. This development follows ongoing efforts from both parties to secure their positions, with Nintendo aiming to substantiate claims of copyright infringement and Pocketpair seeking to dismiss the case by questioning the validity of Nintendo's patents. As the Palworld lawsuit continues, the updated patent language may impact future proceedings, though it remains uncertain whether the changes will significantly alter the direction of the case between Nintendo and Pocketpair.
Geek Vibes Nation
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
Why Lag-Free Hosting Matters In Palworld's Open-World Survival
Lag and Its Impact on Survival Gameplay Key Causes of Lag in Open-World Environments Choosing the Right Hardware and Network Setup Reliable Hosting Solutions Ongoing Maintenance and Performance Tuning The Role of Community Support and Updates Best Practices for Smooth Multiplayer Experiences In the diverse world of Palworld, every millisecond counts when exploring, battling, or taming creatures. Lag is more than a minor annoyance; it disrupts combat timing, causes missed opportunities, and can frustrate shared objectives. In open-world survival, unpredictable delays can easily mean the difference between thriving and losing valuable progress. Seamless connectivity supports fair competition and creates an immersive environment where quick reactions and teamwork matter. Investing in suitable Palworld Server Hosting is the simplest way to remove technology as a barrier, letting skill and strategy be the deciding factors in every adventure. High-performance servers ensure stable frame rates and minimal latency, even during large-scale battles or busy multiplayer sessions. With the right hosting setup, players can focus fully on exploring Palworld's rich environments and forming meaningful alliances without technical distractions. Key Causes of Lag in Open-World Environments Open-world games like Palworld challenge both hardware and network infrastructure. Frequent lag is often a combination of overloaded CPUs, insufficient RAM, slow hard drives, and especially internet connections that can't handle simultaneous data transfers for many players. PC Gamer's exploration of open-world game networking highlights that immense map sizes and complex AI demands require stable performance. Distance to the server, background processes, or heavy mod usage can amplify delays further. Every weak point in the chain can degrade the shared survival experience, making a stable foundation essential. Choosing the Right Hardware and Network Setup Selecting proper equipment greatly reduces performance issues before they start. A modern multi-core processor, at least 8GB of RAM, and a solid-state drive will keep game processes running smoothly. However, strong server specs can't compensate for limited internet speed or unstable connections. Upload bandwidth is vital in multiplayer titles, ensuring players sync actions and events in real time. Those looking to grow their community or run large public sessions may benefit from referring to GamesRadar's server performance optimization guide to choose hardware that scales with growing player needs. Reliable Hosting Solutions High-quality hosting makes all the difference in Palworld's open-world survival. Unlike hobby servers at home, professional hosts provide dedicated resources, powerful connections, and consistent uptime. The structure of dedicated hosting is designed to withstand heavy usage, unexpected traffic bursts, and technical hiccups that often crash household networks. Providers specializing in game servers also offer essential support—troubleshooting, monitoring, and rapid fixes—so players aren't stranded during key moments. Opting for a dedicated provider ensures a stable experience and builds trust within the gaming community. Ongoing Maintenance and Performance Tuning Even the best setup needs regular oversight to stay lag-free. Scheduled restarts, timely software updates, and consistent backups keep worlds secure and responsive. Proactive monitoring tools can alert admins to bottlenecks long before they disrupt players. Game updates often address security vulnerabilities and add new features that require maintenance, so a routine plan is crucial. Unused mods, excessive logs, and cluttered worlds should be pruned regularly to free up valuable resources. Maintenance is an investment in a server's longevity and reliability. The Role of Community Support and Updates No server operates in isolation. Community support—whether in forums, Discord channels, or via official documentation—offers practical fixes and advice for unusual performance hiccups. Real-time feedback from players helps spot invisible issues, giving admins a direct line to the experience of regular users. In fast-moving titles like Palworld, staying up to date with developer news and patch notes is equally critical. This ensures compatibility, optimizes resources, and keeps everyone enjoying the latest content together. Best Practices for Smooth Multiplayer Experiences Balance, clarity, and consistency are the cornerstones of great multiplayer sessions. Select hardware that can scale, prioritize security and stability, and never underestimate the value of quality hosting. Keep communication lines open for fast troubleshooting and lean on community knowledge for ongoing improvement. Ultimately, lag-free play creates the freedom to fully immerse in Palworld's vast open world, letting every survival story unfold without technical limits holding players back.
Newsweek
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Palworld Players on PS5 Might Need to Delete Their Entire Save Files
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors In recent weeks, Palworld players on PS5 have been facing frustrating issues with their save files, with recent versions of the game giving errors and corrupted save files on Sony's console. Now, after developer Pocketpair has spent some time investigating the issue, it seems that for some players at least, the solution is to say goodbye to their beloved pals and wipe their save files. A player character rides a yellow Pal wielding a minigun in a screenshot for Palworld. A player character rides a yellow Pal wielding a minigun in a screenshot for Palworld. Pocketpair In a post on X (formerly Twitter), developer Pocketpair revealed it had identified the cause of the errors and corrupted save files on PS5, citing an issue with the PS5 backend that results from having too many save files. Players who had over 10 save data instances reportedly would see the game failing to save, which would sometimes corrupt the data. Pocketpair apologized for the error in the post, saying that it was "ultimately our fault" and that it would be implementing a fix on July 10, 2025, that limits the maximum amount of save data on PS5 to 10 instances. Players who currently have more than 10 instances of save data won't have any files automatically deleted, the developer says, and further improvements have been made to the save system to improve stability. [Important Notice Regarding the PS5 Data Issue] Thank you for your continued support of Palworld. We would like to inform our players about the cause and solution for the recent PS5 data loss issue. ■ The Bug As a result of our ongoing investigation, we have identified the… — Palworld (@Palworld_EN) July 9, 2025 Unfortunately, for some players who experienced certain errors – namely the CE-100022-5 and CE-100096-6 errors – there isn't a clear path out of the troubles. Pocketpair says players who encountered this error in the past are likely to experience it again in the future, even after tomorrow's patch, due to the corruption already inherent in their save files. The solution is a sad one for avid players: delete your entire save file, wiping progress and starting from scratch in the process. "We regret to inform these players that the only solution in this case will be to completely delete all your Palworld save data before playing," Pocketpair said in its post. "Please note that we do not collect and store save data on any platforms, so we cannot restore lost data. We deeply apologise for the inconvenience caused to our players." Some players in the replies have suggested that an affected PS5 player could join a friend's save file on a different platform and withdraw their Pals, then retrieve them after restarting the game to avoid losing their Pals, but there's no guarantee such a solution would work. It comes not long after Pocketpair announced that Palworld had surpassed 32 million players, with the game reaching the milestone earlier this year.
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Remember ‘Palworld'? It's Survived Meme-Hood, Nintendo And Is Still Big
Palworld One of the most surprising days I've had in the last few years of game coverage was watching Palworld absolutely blow up at launch, a game that came out of relative nowhere, combining survival aspects with Pokémon-like catching and battling. There were also guns. You could shoot the Pokémon with guns. It wasn't just a surprise hit; it was perhaps one of the most surprising rocketships in the last decade of the industry, rocketing to 2.1 million concurrent players on Steam close to launch as scores of big streamers logged on and millions of players tried it out, and liked it. Though you may think Palworld was a shooting star, the game has had a longer lifespan than you might imagine and has outlasted many other fad games that have come and gone. It's not a live service, as developer Pocketpair repeatedly points out, but it does release major updates, and those result in significant player surges. Right now, for example, the game has an 85,000 concurrent peak a year and a half after launch and is inside Steam's top 15 games, which is almost entirely full of classic titles that rarely leave these spots, from CS2 to Dota 2 to Apex Legends to GTA V. Palworld FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Of course, Palworld is never going to get millions of concurrents again, but this baseline this far after launch of nearly 100,000 players remains impressive. While it felt like a meme, the playerbase has persisted. Its big updates spike its players anywhere from 140,000 to 212,000 this past December. Palworld has also engendered a lot of sympathy over the last year or so as they have been relentlessly targeted by lawsuits from Nintendo. Back at launch, there was an idea that Nintendo may sue for similar character designs, as there certainly were some similarities. But what's ended up happening is that Nintendo has made a bunch of game mechanic claims that have actually forced Palworld to remove aspects of its gameplay, everything from gliding on Pals to summoning them with balls. These are things Nintendo apparently exclusively owns, and in order to avoid protracted legal fights with the gaming giant, Palworld has to keep bending the knee and changing the game in awkward ways. Nintendo has not come out of this with the public on its side, with accusations that it's being a patent troll with these kinds of somewhat generic mechanics somehow in its pocket. Palworld Admittedly, I have not kept up with Palworld for a while now, but closer to launch, I easily sunk a few hundred hours into it, and I understood the appeal. In many ways, it felt like the kind of Pokémon game that Nintendo should have made half a decade ago, but never did. And still hasn't. Palworld's appeal is that it can operate as a survival game, a gotta-catch-em-all adventure, or in some ways, it's even a bit Breath of the Wild. And it not being 'live' means you're never really all that far behind and can jump back in whenever. And it's very clear that some people never left. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy
