Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. and Bandai Namco Studios Inc. will start accepting entries from Thursday, 21 September 2023, for the second GYAAR Studio Indie Game Contest held by Bandai Namco Studios’ indie game label, GYAAR Studio.

The contest is being held for the second time with the hopes of further stimulating the video game market going forward, by actively providing support for the indie game creators. A variety of support programs are offered for indie game creators as last time to allow a variety of game titles to shine brighter than ever.

Like the first contest, you can enter the contest by providing the necessary submissions, such as playable demos. The best title entry shall receive up to 100 million JPY in support funding and a variety of support programs are made available for the winners. Honorable Mention award has also been established with a prize of 1 million JPY per entry, for up to 10 title entries, to encourage more indie game creators to enter the contest.

Honorable Mention being established for the first time!

We have created a new award, Honorable Mention, in addition to Platinum Award and Winning Award. We will be awarding 1 million JPY per entry, for up to 10 title entries. Winners shall also be granted free access to the development center, GYAAR Studio Base.
*The total amount of prize will be the same as the first contest. Please check the details of the first contest below: https://indie.bandainamcostudios.com/gyaarcon-1

Entry Overview for the Second GYAAR Studio Indie Game Contest

Contest Schedule

Entry Period: Thursday, 21 September 2023, 10:00 to Monday, 4 December 2023, 23:59 (JST)

Announcement of Results: Winners will be revealed during the TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT 2024 held between Saturday, 2 March 2024 to Sunday, 3 March 2024 (https://indiegamessummit.tokyo/)

Entry Terms (Excerpts)

Eligibility for Entry

• Corporations, organizations or individuals may enter this Contest.

• Applicants who have not reached the age of majority in their country of residence at the time of entry to this Contest must obtain consent from their legal guardian.

• Applicant must be resident or have its principal office registered in the following areas:(Japan, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States)
  *For group applicants, one representative must be appointed, and the representative must agree to these Terms with all other members before submitting the application. If any member is a minor, consent of the minor’s legal guardian must be obtained.

• For corporations, the person who has the authority to enter into agreements on behalf of the corporation, including agreeing to these Terms, shall submit the application.

How to Enter

• Applicant must submit their application through the entry form on the official website (https://indie.bandainamcostudios.com/gyaarcon-2) during the specified entry period.

The following items are required to enter this Contest:

• Gaming ROM (playable demos or prototypes are acceptable)

• Game proposal

• User’s manual *added to required items from second contest onwards

• (If the Applicant is a minor) Letter of consent from a legal guardian such as a person with parental authority

*Applicants must register separately with the BANDAI NAMCO ID (https://www.bandainamcoid.com/).

*Entry to this Contest must be made at the Applicant's own discretion and responsibility. Applicant shall be solely responsible for costs or expenses incurred in the participation in this Contest.

Game Requirements

The gaming ROM submitted must meet the following requirements:

• Can be distributed on STEAM (PC);

• Contain a playable demo or prototype (not "Game proposal");

• Be in Japanese or English.
  *All game genres are accepted.

For more information, please check the terms and conditions on the official website: (https://indie.bandainamcostudios.com/gyaarcon-2/terms)

Prizes

Platinum Award (Max. of 1 winner) Up to 30 million JPY (over 2 years) + Support programs

• 10 million JPY at the time of award

• 20 million JPY maximum. 2.5 million JPY every three months after award (up to 8 times over 2 years)

• 30 million JPY maximum in total

*An examination will be carried out for each support payment, and further support may be cancelled or suspended based on the result.

Award Winners (Max. of 6 winners) Up to 10 million JPY (over 2 years) + Support programs

• 2 million JPY at the time of award

• 8 million JPY maximum. 1 million JPY every three months after award (up to 8 times over 2 years)

• 10 million JPY in total

*An examination will be carried out for each support payment, and further support may be cancelled or suspended based on the result.

Honorable Mention (Max. of 10 winners) 1 million JPY (at the time of award) + Free access to GYAAR Studio base

• 1 million JPY at the time of award

*Will be required to submit development progress reports to us on a regular basis after receiving the award.

Bonus Prize - Support Programs

Development support

Sharing of technical information and development know-how through sessions with the creators at Bandai Namco Studios and lending equipment and environment that is necessary for development. In addition, marketing support from Bandai Namco Entertainment will be provided as necessary.

Free access to GYAAR Studio Base development center

Free access to GYAAR Studio Base development base located in the office of Bandai Namco Studios (Monzen-Naka-cho, Tokyo) to allow real-time communication between developers and the winners. Topic-based talk sessions with the company's creators will also be held regularly.

Publishing support

Bandai Namco Entertainment or Phoenixx will assist with publishing.

*Phoenixx is participating in this contest as an administrative partner.

IP co-creation Support

In addition to Bandai Namco Entertainment and Bandai Namco Studios, the Bandai Namco Group companies will also provide IP development support.

Hosted by

• Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

• Bandai Namco Studios Inc.

In collaboration with

• Phoenixx Inc.

Official Website

URL: https://indie.bandainamcostudios.com/

Official Note

We will post the latest information about this contest and how the winners from the first contest spend their days at the GYAAR Studio Base in the official note.

https://note.com/gyaarcon/

Information Session

An information session will be held for the indie game creators who are considering applying for this contest at GYAAR Studio Base on Wednesday, 6 September 2023. Information on precautions for entry and updates on the winners from the first contest will be shared.

For more details: https://gyaarcon-event-20230906.peatix.com/

First GYAAR Studio Tokyo Game Show Exhibition

GYAAR Studio will exhibit for the first time at the indie game corner of Tokyo Game Show 2023 on Thursday, 21 September 2023. The title entries that were awarded at the first indie game contest can be tried out at the booth. We welcome you to visit the booth when you attend the event.
*It will be a joint exhibition with Phoenixx Inc．

Bandai Namco Entertainment and Bandai Namco Studios under the Bandai Namco Group’s purpose of "Fun for All into the Future,” connects people and societies in the enjoyment of uniquely entertaining products and services, and work to create a brighter future for everyone.