The Japanese Indie Game Scene, One Interview at a Time

The Daedalus Machine is a collection of interviews with Japanese indie game developers, reviews of emerging Japanese indie games, and gameplay of demos. The games on this site come from Tokyo- and Osaka-based indie game and fan events such as Digital Games Expo, Comiket, and BitSummit.

Recent Interviews and Reviews

Interviews with Japanese Indie Game Developers

From mobile to VR, indie game developers from all levels of experience talk about making games in Japan. Topics include games they've made, details about the circle or group, comments on their game development process, and reflections on the Japanese game industry.

exeCUTE

In this interview with exeCUTE, we talk about their demo Rasetsu, JRPGs vs WRPGs, the pros and cons of various indie game events in Japan, and how to apply for Comiket.

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Hamazaki Factory

Hamazaki Factory talks about their background and previous games, game development and design, and challenges promoting games as an indie dev.

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Hekiraku-ya

Hekiraku-ya talks about the challenges one-man development teams face when designing games, the differences between indie devs and circles, and mobile in Japan.

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MAPFG

MAPFG discusses how they developed Alchemy Panic!, the origins of their group's name, and challenges they face as indie devs.

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Neo Future Labs

An Interview with Max Preston, CEO of Tokyo-based game company Neo Future Labs. Topics include working what it's like to work at Japanese game companies, the metriodvania genre, indie game design and workflow, and living abroad in Tokyo.

OGSD

Japanese indie developer OGSD talks about some of the differences between "indie" and "doujin" games, JRPGs and WRPGs, and a few of the influences on their work. We also talk a bit about kawaii and moe in Japanese popular culture.

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Picorinne Soft

In this interview with Picorinne Soft, we discuss their latest demo, what selling at Comiket is like, and some concerns facing emerging indie devs.

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Phantom Island

Phantom Island talks about cultural differences in game design, the indie dev community in Tokyo, and tricks to optimize game performance.

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Pon Pon Games

In this interview with Pon Pon Games, the developer discusses the games that have influenced him, the challenges facing Japanese indie developers, and the general state of the Japanese indie game scene.

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Primary Orbit

In this interview with Primary Orbit, the developer discusses the games that have influenced him, how he got on Steam, and other impressions of the Japanese dev scene.

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Reminisce

In this brief interview conducted after TGS17, we talk about their game Link: The Unleashed Nexus, the difficulties in marketing games as an indie developer, and events in Tokyo.

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Riceinbowl

In this interview with Riceinbowl, we talk about their demo Memories of the Ruins, indie game events in Tokyo, and game development.

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Siter Skain

Siter Skain discusses their circle's lengthy history, the doujin shops where indie games were sold back in the day, and their struggles and successes over two decades of devving.

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Gameplay and Reviews of Japanese Indie Games

Footage and comments on indie games appearing at events across Japan, such as Comiket, TGS, Digige or BitSummit. From betas to release, these videos showcase some of the experiments Japanese indie game devs are taking with games and offer insight into what trends at specific events.

C91

Full

SRPG

A Healer Only Lives Twice

Digige

Full

Puzzle

Alchemy Panic!

Digige

Demo

ARPG

Black Blood Breaker