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NZ CODE drifts into BitSummit 2024

NZ CODE supported studios - Astronaut Diaries, Metia Interactive, and Mune Studio - secure pods on Ukiyo Studios’ booth at BitSummit Drift 2024 in Kyoto, Japan.

Pictured: Astronaut Diaries Director, Shrikkanth Sreedharan (L) and Mune Studio Co-Founder. Erekose Watson (R) exhibit their games at the Ukiyo Studio's booth at BitSummit 2024.


In its 11th year, BitSummit Drift is the premier Indie Games event of Asia, a perfect “hybrid” event of B2C and B2B with great media coverage from East Asian games media.


BitSummit’s focus is very much around smaller independent studios so offers a very different feel from other events in the region. The B2B networking opportunities with locally headquartered platform holders like PlayStation and Nintendo also add to its significance.


“BitSummit was recommended by many developers as an excellent way to find deals and support in Japan specifically and Asia more generally. Although a consumer event, BitSummit attracts many publishers from the region looking for content to sign or sub-license regionally, and CODE has teams specifically targeting those markets” says Vee Pendergrast, CODE’s Industry Development Manager.


Denari, Guardian Maia, and Brews & Bastards were selected to exhibit on the Ukiyo Studios booth at BitSummit.


BitSummit Drift 2024


For Astronaut Diaries Director, Shrikkanth Sreedharan, BitSummit proved critical in increasing awareness of their game, Denari.


“This was a wild opportunity thanks to CODE, and looking back will probably be one of the most crucial moments for our game. We had productive meetings with Japanese companies, received praise and critique from internationally successful developers, and one of Japan’s most respected game outlets, 4Gamer, wrote a whole article about us!”, says Shrikkanth.


Pictured: Astronaut Diaries Director, Shrikkanth Sreedharan (L) gets a selfie with Thierry Boulanger and Philip Barclay of Sabotage Studio (Sea of Stars).


It was the second time Metia Interactive had publicly shown their game, Guardian Maia following PAX Australia in 2023. Metia took onboard a lot of feedback they received at PAX last year, and prepared a new build in time for exhibiting at BitSummit.


Metia Interactive Founder, Maru Nihoniho, says, “When I first got to BitSummit the anxiety was real, especially being in a new territory with a new build. However, my anxiety lasted only moments as there was a lot of interest in our game, the story and our culture. Everyone there knew to some degree about Māori culture too - there are so many cultural similarities - we connected well with everyone.”


“I know that when I am at these game shows I am representing more than myself and my game. I am representing our culture and our country too. It’s a big responsibility but one I am proud to carry”.


Pictured (L-R): Gaurdian Maia exhibited at BitSummit; Maru Nihoniho poses with a PONOS Battle Cat at BitSummit; with Hinetera Ozyurteri, Metia Interactive's Social Media Manager.



For Mune Studio Co-Founder, Erekose Watson, exhibiting Brews & Bastards at BitSummit provided valuable insights and connections into the Asian market.


“BitSummit was an excellent experience for both showcasing our game, Brews & Bastards, and for business connections. We learned so much about marketing and how the industry functions in Japan and Asia, leaving us with many valuable pieces of knowledge for launching our current and future projects. Everyone at the event was relaxed and friendly, plus Kyoto is the perfect place for sightseeing and finding excellent food locations (just mind the heat!)”.


Pictured: Mune Studio Co-Founder, Erekose Watson watches as Head of Playstation, Shuhei Yoshida plays his game, Brews & Bastards.


Pictured: Highlights of BitSummit 2024, in Kyoto, Japan.


The teams were assisted by CODE’s Travel Grant for international game development industry events, and continue to receive support with commercial follow ups and business opportunities following BitSummit.


Expressions of Interest for NZ CODE Round 5 Travel Grant funding will be re-opened in October 2024. Please check the Travel Grant Guidelines on our Funding page for more information.

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