Playism (stylized as PLAYISM) is a Japanese independent video game publisher operated by Active Gaming Media. Playism started as a digital distribution platform for PC games in May 2011.
History Playism was launched by Active Gaming Media in May 2011 as a digital distribution platform for PC games. It was founded by Shunji Mizutani, who has run it as executive producer since. Its launch titles included Machinarium and SpaceChem. Its goal was to introduce western-developed indie titles to the Japanese market, and to localize Japanese doujin games for overseas audience.
In April 2013, Playism began a project with HAL College of Technology & Design in both Osaka and Nagoya. The project involves students creating games in four-person teams over a period of several months. The games would then be judged by Playism staff, Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya (Cave Story), Smoking Wolf (One Way Heroics), and members of Nigoro (La-Mulana). The highest-rated games were then localized by Playism, and released on the PLAYISM store page for purchase.
Playism was closely involved in the administration of the indie-based game event BitSummit in March 2013, helping both with translation and interpretation as well as with logistics. In September 2013, Playism collaborated with Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Asia on an event called Indie Stream. Originally planned by indie developers Nigoro and Nyamyam, Indie Stream was designed to bring indie developers from both Japan and abroad together to meet and share information. It was announced at Indie Stream that PLAYISM would be assisting indie developers in publishing their games on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in Japan.
Playism closed its digital storefront on March 24, 2021, ceasing download service and sales of Steam keys on the website. The company announced that this would not affect its other businesses, and would continue publishing video games for Steam, GOG.com, and other home game consoles.
Works +YearTitleDeveloperAdditional note(s)2012Ether VaporEdelweissOriginally published by Nyu Media; publishing rights transferred to Playism in 2022I'm Gonna Be God of the ForestShindenkenLa-MulanaNigoroRemake2013Artifact AdventureBluffmanRe-release on Steam in 2015Unholy HeightsPetit Depotto2014AstebreedEdelweissInternational releaseKero BlasterStudio PixelMagical Battle FestaFly SystemMeadowlandMårten JonssonMitsurugi Kamui HikaeZenith BlueOne Way HeroicsSmokingWOLFPC re-release on SteamRevolver 360 Re:ActorCross EagletRime BertaNext Soft+2015D4: Dark Dreams Don't DieAccess GamesPC versionForget Me Not: My Organic GardenCavyhouseGocco of WarpeakvoxHacker's BeatTeam Tands+Neo Aquarium: The King of CrustaceansNussoftPC re-release on SteamAn Octave HigherKidalangOne Way Heroics PlusSmokingWOLFExpansion of One Way HeroicsPrismatic SolidYO1 KOMORIStar SkyMårten JonssonStarchaser: Priestess of the Night SkyNonlinearTorquelFullPowerSideAttack.com2016Ace of SeafoodNussoftAlicemareMiwashibaPC re-releaseAwareness RoomsGame Na KibunCroixleur SigmaSouvenir Circ.PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC versionsFuturidium EP DeluxeMixedBagPC versionA Healer Only Lives TwicePon Pon GamesHelen's Mysterious CastleSatsuHer StorySam BarlowJapanese localization updateLiEatMiwashibaPC re-release on SteamLucy -The Eternity She Wished For-Modern Visual Arts LaboratoryiOS and Android versionsMad FathersenPC re-release on SteamMementoLabo Game StudioMomodora: Reverie Under the MoonlightBombserviceMurasakiKatatemaNightCryNude MakerPrincipia: Master of SciencetomeappThe Silver CaseGrasshopper ManufactureRemasterStar Sky 2Mårten Jonsson20171bitHeartMiwashibaPC re-releaseGarden TaleBonion GamesLost TechnologyStudio 4DMisaoThe Miscreant's RoomDefinitive Edition in 2017; 2024 HD Remaster update in 2024Rosenkreuzstilette[erka:es]PC re-release on SteamRosenkreuzstilette Freudenstachel[erka:es]PC re-release on SteamVA-11 Hall-ASukeban GamesJapanese localization updateVertical Strike Endless ChallengeProject ICKX2018Ark NoirAmamori LabArtifact Adventure GaidenBluffmanAngels of DeathHoshikuzu KRNKRNThe Boogie ManUri GamesBreak Arts IIMercuryStudioCineris SomniaNayuta StudioThe Crooked ManUri GamesHakoniwa Explorer PlusSuxaThe Hanged ManUri GamesLa-Mulana 2NigoroMurasaki TsurugiKatatemaThe Sand ManUri GamesStar Sky 3Mårten JonssonWill: A Wonderful WorldWMY StudioJapanese localization updateYume NikkiKikiyamaPC re-release on SteamYume Nikki: Dream DiaryKadokawa Corporation2019Artifact Adventure Gaiden DXBluffmanMedusa and Her Lovership of EYLNNight in the WoodsInfinite Fall, Secret LabJapanese localization updatePixel Game Maker MVKadokawa CorporationSteel Sword Story8bits fanaticsUpdated to Steel Sword Story S in 2024Strange TelephoneHZ3 SoftwareTouhou Luna NightsTeam Ladybug, WSS Playground, Vaka Game MagazineEarly access release in 20182020Bright MemoryFYQD StudioFight CrabCalappa GamesGiraffe and Annikaatelier miminaNecrobaristaRoute 59OmoriOmocat, LLC.Japanese localization update and the console versionsOrangebloodGrayfax SoftwareReplicaSomiNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versionsSoundartMercuryStudioUmurangi GenerationOrigame Digital2021Bright Memory: InfiniteFYQD StudioFull-length version of Bright MemoryDeeeer SimulatorGibier GamesDoki Doki Literature Club Plus!Team SalvatoJapanese localization updateGnosiaPetit DepottoInternational release; Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 versionsThe Good LifeWhite Owls Inc.Idol ManagerGlitch PitchLegal DungeonSomiNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versionsMighty GooseBlastmodeRecord of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder LabyrinthTeam Ladybug, WSS PlaygroundEarly access release in 2020The Sealed AmpouleCavyhouseTasomachi: Behind the TwilightOrbital Express2022DrainusTeam Ladybug, WSS PlaygroundIbkouriRemakeNoel the Mortal FateKanawoConsole versions and Microsoft Store releasePotato Flowers in Full BloomPon Pon GamesSamurai BringerAlphawing Inc.Signalisrose-engineTakkoman: Kouzatsu WorldilluCalab.TemtemCremaPhysical release in JapanTimothy and the Tower of MuKibou EntertainmentTokoyo: The Tower of Perpetuity//commentoutEarly access release in 202020237 Days to End with YouLizardryNintendo Switch and PC versionsDrago NokaGeSEI unkanPC re-release on Steam and the Switch versionFrom Madness with Lovejamsanpoid, Vampire K.K.Marfushahinyari9PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch versionsPhantom Rose II SapphiremakarollRefind Self: The Personality Test GameLizardryRusted Mossfaxdoc, happysquared, sunnydazeSubway MidnightBubby DarkstarNintendo Switch version2024The Detective Reaper InvitesShinzu Kano UmiThe Exit 8Kotake CreateNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, iOS and Android versionsMaid Cafe on Electric StreetAdventurer's TavernNo Case Should Remain UnsolvedSomiNintendo Switch versionPlatform 8Kotake CreateNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 versionsThe Star Named EOSSilver Lining StudioUmurangi Generation VROrigame DigitalVR version of Umurangi GenerationValkyrie of PhantasmAreazeroEarly access release in 20222025Behind the Frame: The Finest ScenerySilver Lining StudioNintendo Switch version, bundled with The Star Named EOSBlade ChimeraTeam Ladybug, WSS PlaygroundBreak Arts IIIMercuryStudioCATO: Buttered CatTeam WollPlayStation 5 and Switch versionsCling to BlindnessLizardryHeart of CrownJapanime GamesThe Little Tomb: The Maholova Club and the Search for a Dead BodyCavyhouseMetal BringerAlphawingMillion DepthCyber Space BiotopeMind DiverIndoor SunglassesMomodora: Moonlit FarewellBombserviceMotionRecHandsumNidanalvl374Nitro ExpressGrayfax SoftwareOutrider MakoAsamado GamesSnezhinka: Sentinel Girls 2hinyari9Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S versionsUrban Legend Hunters 2: Doubletoii2025 re-launchThe Use of LifeDaraneko GamesEarly access release in 20222026The Dream of a CockspurroccayDyping EscapeHeaviside CreationsHomura HimeCrimson Dusk2027DevilConnectionChaoGamesNintendo Switch, iOS, and Android versions
Upcoming release and others +TitleDeveloperAdditional note(s)Bot!Aimed FreedomStudent project for the PlayStation 4 in 2015; unreleasedGensokyo Night FestivalWSS playground, tea_basiraEarly access in 2019MaguSphere: Magical Cannon GirlsOhbadoMissed release window in 2022Fight Crab 2Calappa GamesEarly access in 2024Journey RecordKochi CreateMissed release window in 2024EDEN.schemata();WSS Playground, illuCalab.Release window in spring 2025GlacieredStudio SnowblindRelease window in 2026Care Make ArenaLizardryEarly access in 2026The Dream of a CockspurroccayRelease window in 2026Dungeon Sweeper PlusSetamoRelease window in 2026Haruka: Beyond the Starsatelier miminaRelease window in 2026A Passing in the Night.irisRelease window in 2026Samurai Bringer: RampageAlphawingRelease window in 2026Skateboard KnightPlayismRelease window in 2026There's Something Wrong with the Hero's ChoicesminatonezumiRelease window in 2026Full Belly BreakoutZximaRelease window in 2027Idol Manager: Virtual VentureGlitch PitchRelease window in 2027Iron BrambleEmlise, Mini BunniesRelease window in 2027Midnight Train: New MoonLydiaBluebellRelease window in 2027Sea SniffersBlastmode, MP2 GamesRelease window in 202734EVERLASTKanata Lab, Hyper RealRelease date TBD
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