Square Enix launches game contest with 1 billion yen prize pool
Square Enix has announced the launch of the SQUARE ENIX GAME CONTEST 2026. Applications for the competition will open on December 15, 2026. The project is designed to support creators with unique ideas that break traditional genre boundaries, offering an unprecedented scale of prize money.
The total prize pool for the contest is set at 1 billion yen. The distribution of funds is structured as follows: one Grand Prize winner will receive 300 million yen, four Masterpiece winners will receive 100 million yen each, and ten Excellence winners will receive 30 million yen each. A total of 15 projects are guaranteed to be selected.
In an interview with 4Gamer, Executive Officer and Executive Producer Yosuke Saito explained that the company aims to revive the spirit of the 1980s-era contests that helped launch the careers of legendary creators like Yuji Horii. Saito noted that with the current surge in the indie game scene, Square Enix wants to leverage its resources to help talented developers achieve global success through formal commercial partnerships.
Takashi Tokita, Producer and Director at Creative Studio 5, emphasized that the contest seeks ideas reflecting the current era, particularly for platforms like PC and mobile. He clarified that the competition is open to everyone, from solo indie developers to established professional studios.
The selection process will consist of three stages:
- First Stage: Video review by general users based on novelty, originality, entertainment value, and completion status.
- Second Stage: Playtesting and document review by Square Enix staff and the public.
- Third Stage: Final interviews and negotiations regarding potential partnerships.
Regarding the required state of the games, Saito clarified that projects do not need to be 100% finished for the initial entry, provided the core
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