After 255 games, With My Past gets another shot at the spotlight

According to the official announcement, SHIBA GAME AWARD 2026 SUMMER opened submissions on June 4, 2026, with entries accepted until July 5, 2026 Japan time. Run by the executive committee of SHIBA GAME AWARD, an online game award operated by Japan's SQOOL Co., Ltd., the program is open to games from around the world, not only Japan. Submitted titles are set to be showcased later on the award's official website, on YouTube, and, for eligible Steam releases, on a Steam event page.

The more distinctive point is the award's stated purpose. Created by the editorial team behind SQOOL.NET Game Laboratory to support game creators, it began in 2019 as the SQOOL GAME AWARD and has continued under its current name, SHIBA GAME AWARD, while keeping the same core idea. The organizers put that stance plainly: this is not an award meant to identify the "best" or "best-selling" game. It is meant to recognize the games and creators they "want to support." That sets it apart from awards driven mainly by sales, profile, or market buzz.

For smaller teams, the value here is not just the trophy. It is visibility. The pitch is practical: every submitted game will be listed on the SHIBA GAME AWARD website, with additional coverage planned for the award's YouTube channel. If a game is already on Steam, it may also be featured on the Steam event page. For indie developers working with limited budgets, that kind of exposure can be more useful than a one-line award mention, because it connects directly to wishlists, media reach, and cross-region discovery.

The award is no small event now, either. The previous edition, SHIBA GAME AWARD 2025 WINTER, received 255 game submissions from around the world, a sign that it is growing beyond a Japan-focused showcase into a more international event. Just as important, this edition is again open globally rather than limited to Japan. That point is especially relevant for developers outside Japan: the Grand Prize winner of SHIBA GAME AWARD 2025 SUMMER was With My Past from China, and it later received PR support aimed at opportunities such as appearances at Japanese indie game exhibitions.

There is also a clearer example of what that "support" can look like. Robot Hospice, the Grand Prize winner of SHIBA GAME AWARD 2025 WINTER, previously received support for a Traditional Chinese localization. That gives the award's stated mission some practical weight. In other words, the support can go beyond publicity and turn into practical help around release. Under the current plan, the Grand Prize and other awards for this round are expected to be announced in late August, and the Grand Prize winner will receive marketing support from the SQOOL.NET editorial team.

For developers, the pitch is fairly straightforward: the barrier to entry looks low, and the potential upside is tangible. Submissions must be made through the dedicated form on the official SHIBA GAME AWARD website. The window is already open, but it closes on July 5, 2026 Japan time. Dates for the online livestream, the Steam event page, and the final award announcements will be revealed later. Players may also want to keep an eye on it early. Awards like this can surface promising indie games before they show up in larger publisher-led showcases.

The original article also notes that its content was machine-translated and may contain some unnatural phrasing.