Shochiku Games will be exhibiting at BitSummit PUNCH, Japan's largest indie game festival, held at Miyako Messe in Kyoto from May 22 (Friday) to 24 (Sunday), 2026. This marks the publisher's second booth appearance at the event, with six playable titles on display at booth 1F-B04. The lineup includes the highly anticipated hotel management and romance adventure game Yog-Sothoth's Yard — slated for a Japanese-language update and Nintendo Switch release on July 23 — alongside the newly announced overseas horse racing simulation Rival Stars Horse Racing and football event management simulation COPA CITY.
In addition to merchandise sales that proved popular at last year's event, BitSummit-exclusive novelties will be distributed and a combined prize campaign covering all titles is planned, along with a striking large-scale installation.
6 Titles on Display
1. Yog-Sothoth's Yard
Hire a diverse cast of quirky and charming otherworldly girls — including an artificial maid, a grim reaper-in-training, a dragon girl, and a spirit-slayer — and manage a debt-ridden hotel. The game spans activities like mining, adventure, alchemy, and restaurant management, with players occasionally wagering their Sanity (SAN value) for a shot at quick riches. Decisions and the bonds formed with heroines shape the outcome of this hotel management sim crossed with a romance adventure. A Japanese-language update and Nintendo Switch release are planned for July 23, 2026. Nintendo Switch physical edition pre-orders are currently open.
Title: Yog-Sothoth's Yard
Genre: Hotel Management Simulation / Romance Adventure
Release Date: July 23, 2026 (planned)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch™ / Steam
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2194530/
Price (tax included):
Nintendo Switch Physical Edition: First-Run Limited Edition ¥4,400 / Standard Edition ¥2,970
Nintendo Switch Digital Edition: ¥1,980
Steam: ¥1,300
Players: 1
Developer: Bone Nail
Publisher: Bone Nail, Shochiku
Official Site: https://game.shochiku.co.jp/lp/yogsothothsyard/
Official X (Japanese): https://x.com/YogSothoYard_JP
© Bone Nail, 2026. All rights reserved. Licensed & published by Bone Nail.
*Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.
2. Algorithm Prescription
In the fully AI-managed city of Xenoria, "empathy scores" dictate trust, employment, and even romantic relationships. Players take on the role of an intern doctor working in this city while uncovering the truth about themselves and the world around them — a deeply immersive romance suspense visual novel. The free PC demo is currently available, and full-voiced additional scenarios have been confirmed for the full release.
Title: Algorithm Prescription
Genre: Visual Novel / Romance Simulation
Release Date: TBD
Platforms: Steam
Free Demo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4533090/Algorithm_Prescription_Demo/
Full Version: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3227510/Algorithm_Prescription/
Price: TBD
Players: 1
Developer: Shochiku
Publisher: Shochiku
Official X: https://x.com/algorithm_pre
©ALPr
3. Rival Stars Horse Racing (World Premiere Announcement)
Inherit a legendary ranch, craft the perfect bloodline, and take the reins yourself. This overseas horse racing simulation offers a comprehensive experience of the sport — from complex genetics-based breeding and strategic stable management to dynamic races and free-roaming horseback riding. Designed to be authentic and deep yet surprisingly accessible, the game invites players to build a legend alongside their horse. A Nintendo Switch and Steam release is planned for May 28 (Thursday), and this BitSummit appearance is the game's Japan premiere demo.
Title: Rival Stars Horse Racing
Genre: Horse Racing Simulation
Release Date: May 28, 2026 (planned)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch™ / PlayStation®4, 5 / Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One
Xbox: https://www.xbox.com/ja-jp/games/store/rival-stars-horse-racing/9n5lqk16str9
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1166860/Rival_Stars_Horse_Racing_Desktop_Edition/?l=japanese
Price: ¥3,500 *May vary by platform
Players: 1
Developer: PikPok
Publisher: PikPok, Shochiku
©2026 Prodigy Design Limited. PikPok, PikPok Plus and Rival Stars are trademarks or registered trademarks of Prodigy Design Limited. All rights reserved.
*Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.
4. COPA CITY (World Premiere Announcement)
Rather than controlling a player, COPA CITY puts players in charge of an entire city, guiding a prestigious club's mega-event to success in a real-world urban setting. Managing everything behind the scenes — from infrastructure development and transportation network overhauls to controlling emotionally reactive crowds — the game challenges players to plan meticulously and stage the ultimate kickoff. The PlayStation 5 version launches on June 17 (Wednesday), and this BitSummit showing is the game's Japan premiere demo.
Title: COPA CITY
Genre: Football Event Management Simulation
Release Date: June 17, 2026 (planned)
Platform: PlayStation 5
https://store.playstation.com/ja-jp/concept/10011541
Price: ¥5,600
Players: 1
Developer: Triple Espresso
Publisher: Triple Espresso, Shochiku
© 2026 triple espresso. All Rights Reserved.
5. 夢幻桜楼閣
A roguelite 3D action game developed by Japanese indie team Denneko Yuugi. Players control Retra, a dual-sword-wielding cat-eared hooded girl, as she takes on fantastical dungeons and grows stronger along the way. A free trial is currently live on Steam, and the latest demo version will be playable at the BitSummit booth.
Title: 夢幻桜楼閣
Genre: Roguelite 3D Action
Release Date: 2026 (planned)
Platform: PC (Steam)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2991310/
Price: TBD
Players: 1
Developer: Denneko Yuugi
Publisher: Shochiku
© Denneko Yuugi. All rights reserved. Licensed to & published by Denneko Yuugi, Shochiku Co.,Ltd.
6. SONZAI
Set in Kumotoshi — the only town in the world where magic exists — SONZAI is a fresh-feeling RPG that blends deep storytelling with combo-driven action. In a world brought to life by hand-drawn animation, the connections between characters hold the key to changing fate. Players can master both swords and guns to develop their own fighting style. Planned for release in 2026.
Title: SONZAI
Genre: Action / RPG
Release Date: 2026 (planned)
Platform: PC (Steam)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1380980/SONZAI/?l=japanese
Price: TBD
Players: 1
Developer: 2 Odd Diodes
Publisher: Top Hat Studios, Inc., Shochiku
SONZAI (©) 2020 by 2 Odd Diodes. All Rights Reserved. Licensed exclusively to Top Hat Studios, Inc.
A 2.65-Meter Kabuki Horse Takes Center Stage
To celebrate the launch of Rival Stars Horse Racing and the Year of the Horse, a traditional kabuki stage horse — measuring 2.65 meters in length — will be on display at the Shochiku booth. Visitors who add the game to their wishlist can climb on for a ride. BitSummit-exclusive horse racing ticket-style cards will also be distributed at the event.
BitSummit-Exclusive Novelties and Prize Campaign
Stickers for each exhibiting title will be handed out at the venue. Visitors who play a demo or add a title to their wishlist will receive a BitSummit-exclusive original clear file featuring each game's artwork. A lottery campaign covering all exhibiting titles is also planned — following the Shochiku Games official X account grants one lottery draw. The top prize (Prize A) includes an A1 tapestry for each title, with other prizes also on offer. The lottery runs on general public days only (May 23 and 24).
Official X: https://x.com/ShochikuGames
Official Merchandise Resale
Popular items from the official merchandise lineups of Yog-Sothoth's Yard and MiSide — both of which sold well at last year's event — will be available again in limited quantities.
BitSummit PUNCH Event Details
Dates: May 22, 2026 (Friday) Business Day / May 23 (Saturday) to 24 (Sunday) General Public Days
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue: Miyako Messe (Kyoto Municipal Exhibition Hall), 3F Exhibition Hall 3 / 1F Exhibition Hall 2
Booth: 1F-B04
Organizers: BitSummit Executive Committee / Japan Independent Game Association / Kyoto Prefecture
Official Site: https://bitsummit.org/
