Phoenixx Inc., a Japanese indie game publisher, was formed to take over the contracts and projects left behind when a major music company decided to stop actively expanding its indie game business.

The story begins in October 2017, when Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. launched the indie game label UNTIES. The person who launched it was Kazunori Sakamoto. Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. later decided to stop actively expanding the UNTIES business. Sakamoto spent 2019 negotiating to take over the existing contracts with the developers, along with their projects, and founded Phoenixx on October 25 of that year. The company began operating as a publisher on February 3, 2020. Its headquarters are in Musashino, Tokyo, and Sakamoto serves as representative director and president.

The company’s business rests on three pillars: game publishing and development; creator management; and events, together with IP management and merchandise sales. Phoenixx states on its own website that it has released more than 100 titles, among them PAW Patrol World, Clock Rogue, fan-made games set in the Touhou Project universe, and Lazy Witch’s Factory, which is due to enter early access in August 2026. Phoenixx describes its corporate philosophy as “Creators-Centric,” saying it supports Japanese and international creators in reaching each other’s markets.

Phoenixx also organizes events of its own. Since 2023, it has held the TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT (TIGS) in Kichijoji, Tokyo. Attendance topped 9,000 at the second event in 2024 and reached 23,802 at the third event in 2025, which also featured the TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT AWARD Supported by BS Asahi. The fourth event, in 2026, was held on March 20 and 21 and drew 12,978 attendees; starting with that event, the TIGS AWARD expanded to four categories.

On October 4 and 5, 2025, Phoenixx held the OSAKA INDIE GAMES SUMMIT for the first time. The second edition, OSAKA INDIE GAMES SUMMIT 2026, will take place on October 3 and 4, 2026, at Congrès Square Grand Green Osaka. Ticket sales began on August 4, 2026. The event is co-hosted with FM COCOLO, FM802, and a Kansai-based concert and event promoter.

Official site: phoenixx.ne.jp