Square Enix has announced the SQUARE ENIX GAME CONTEST 2026, a new game development competition offering a total prize pool of ¥1 billion.
The contest focuses on original game concepts for PC and mobile, ultimately seeking projects embracing “novelty, originality, entertainment value, and completeness.”
The Grand Prize will award ¥300 million to one project. Four additional Masterpiece Awards will each receive ¥100 million, while ten Excellence Awards will receive ¥30 million each.
Winning projects will receive publishing, distribution, and marketing. Royalty payments based on sales are also planned for selected entries.
Applications open on December 15, 2026, with submissions closing on March 15, 2027. Winners are scheduled to be announced on June 30, 2027. Applicants must also reside in Japan.
Submissions require a project proposal PDF, a gameplay video uploaded privately to YouTube with a maximum length of 20 minutes, and a playable build submitted as a ZIP file.
AI-generated content will be permitted under a separate guideline. The tools used must be disclosed, and AI-generated portions may need to be manually revised if projects move forward.
The judging process will consist of three stages, beginning with reviews of proposals and gameplay videos, followed by evaluations of playable builds and final interviews.
