The Japan Independent Games Aggregate also detailed the “BitSummit Heroes,” five heroes that represent groups of developers participating in the event. Through the BitSummit Heroes, the organization hopes to establish a greater sense of community, as well as make exhibiting titles easier to find. Here are the details:
BitSummit Heroes
2020 has been a challenging year. It was heartbreaking for everyone working on BitSummit to cancel the show after months of preparation. We’ve revived it through Gaiden, but one of the elements that make BitSummit shine is the sense of community it inspires year after year.
This new format brings opportunities to introduce more community elements to the BitSummit formula. In addition to Discord, we’re calling on our roster of former BitSummit mascots to help usher us into this BitSummit-online-only world!
Inspired by Japanese traditions of teamwork, we’ve grouped the developers into five teams helmed by BitSummit mascots. With everyone connecting virtually for Gaiden, we hope this will establish a greater sense of community among developers and fans while making it easier for everyone to find the games on Discord!
BitRobots – Led by our original mascot, BitKing, the BitRobots were created by Dr. Yamamu in his secret base underneath Daimonjiyama. Piloted by Milk and his band of misfit game devs, they guard the indie world!
BitRiders – Salaryman by day, masked BitRider by night, the leader of this team debuted in our second event and recruited allies to join him in the third edition! Now they are a trio of game dev bikers racing through the streets of Neo-Kyoto dishing out vigilante justice!
BitRangers – The BitRangers’ love for indie games is overshadowed only by their love for Matcha Tea! This foursome made their first appearance during BitSummit Force (4th), and they were instrumental in defeating Nekora during the BitRumble of A 5th of BitSummit. Since then, they have quietly practiced “chanoyu” in anticipation of the day they are needed again.
BitSamurai – Seven Spirits were transported through time to the modern world during a battle with the same ancient spirit that would eventually become Nekora. Today, these samurai wander the world lending their blades to any who need help.
BitKaiju – Born in an atomic accident near the Fox Shrines of Kyoto, Nekora has often been at odds with the Rangers, Robots, Riders, and Samurai. Its first appearance during A 5th of BitSummit led to the BitRumble, a huge battle that decimated Miyakomesse! Since its defeat, Nekora has become a friend to all children.
What does this mean for the developers participating in BitSummit Gaiden? With SO MANY events moving online, we wanted a way to help both the awesome developers and BitSummit stand out from the rest of the crowd.
With the BitSummit Heroes we hope to accomplish a few things:
Make it easier for everyone to find games in Discord.
