From the 1980s to the mid-21st century, the Japanese video game industry led the world in creativity and innovation, but in recent years, Japanese studios have been unable to keep up with technological advancements, and many have shifted their focus away from high-risk projects and unique gaming experiences. Today, many players around the world crave to play games that inspired and excited them during their childhood. For industry veterans and young talents who aspire to pursue originality and creative freedom, independence is the answer. Japan has a history of independent creators establishing active communities, even in industries dominated by large media companies. The comic market and similar events attract over one million participants annually. In the past few years, the Japanese gaming industry has begun to recognize the power of independent creators and the momentum of emerging scenes. In 2013, Tokyo Game Show created a pavilion featuring independent creators for the first time in its history. With this question in mind, we embarked on a two-year journey of Japanese independent cinema. Branching Paths is a mosaic composed of developers, publishers, and Japanese independent game enthusiasts.
