{"id":389745,"date":"2026-04-09T11:35:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/389745\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T11:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:35:10","slug":"ultra-fast-competitive-puzzle-game-shika-q-launches-today-april-9-2026-confirmed-for-exhibition-at-evo-japan-2026-side-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/389745\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultra-Fast Competitive Puzzle Game SHIKA-Q Launches Today, April 9, 2026 Confirmed for Exhibition at EVO Japan 2026 Side Event"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">AGNI-FLARE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa; CEO: Takeshi Inaba) is pleased to announce that its ultra-fast competitive puzzle game SHIKA-Q is now available worldwide as a digital download title for Nintendo Switch\u2122, PlayStation\u00ae4, and PlayStation\u00ae5 as of today, April 9, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">In addition, the title will be featured at multiple major events, including a side event at EVO Japan 2026, participation in INDIE Live Expo 2026, and the launch of official esports initiatives such as the SHIKA-Q World Link Tournament and a public audition for official commentators.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Steam version is currently in development, with the release date yet to be announced.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n\u25a0Event &amp; Tournament Information<\/p>\n<p>INDIE Live Expo 2026&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">SHIKA-Q will be showcased at INDIE Live Expo 2026, an international indie game presentation event. The broadcast will take place on April 25, 2026, and will be streamed simultaneously across platforms including YouTube, Twitch, NicoNico Live, bilibili, and Steam.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Official Website:<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/indie.live-expo.games\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> https:\/\/indie.live-expo.games\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nEVO Japan 2026 Side Event&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">SHIKA-Q World Link Tournament<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">An official offline tournament, SHIKA-Q World Link Tournament, will be held as a side event at EVO Japan 2026.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Format: Single Elimination<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Entry: First-come, first-served<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Registration Opens: April 9, 2026<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nEntry Deadline: May 2, 2026, 20:00 JST<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nCheck-in Starts: May 3, 2026, 11:00 JST<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nEvent Date: May 3, 2026, 10:00\u201317:00 JST<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nVenue: Tokyo Big Sight, East Exhibition Halls 1\u20133, Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Details &amp; Registration:<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\n<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/tonamel.com\/competition\/QtspD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/tonamel.com\/competition\/QtspD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This event will be held in Japan. While participants from overseas are welcome, please note that this is an offline tournament and attendance in person on the day of the event is required.<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SHIKA-Q_world_link_Tournament.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nAbout EVO Japan 2026&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">EVO Japan is the official Japanese edition of the Evolution Championship Series (EVO), one of the world\u2019s premier fighting game tournaments. It features an open tournament format and attracts players from around the globe, combining high-level competition with a strong community presence.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Dates: May 1\u20133, 2026<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nVenue: Tokyo Big Sight, East Halls 1\u20133<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nSHIKA-Q Official Commentator Audition &amp; Exhibition Match&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">AGNI-FLARE will host a public audition to select an official commentator for SHIKA-Q tournaments.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Up to four candidates will be shortlisted and invited to participate in a live-streamed web interview. The selected finalist will serve as an official commentator for one year. An exhibition match will also be held during the broadcast.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Registration Opens: April 9, 2026<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nApplication Deadline: April 24, 2026, 20:00 JST<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nBroadcast Date: April 29, 2026<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">YouTube Channel:<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\n<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SHIKA-QOFFICIAL-z4m\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SHIKA-QOFFICIAL-z4m<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Application Form:<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\n<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSfW_TDtuqrC3WiQWvPE5MMmH9Yu_VZZalgUok3aTi9EcSVwNQ\/viewform\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSfW_TDtuqrC3WiQWvPE5MMmH9Yu_VZZalgUok3aTi9EcSVwNQ\/viewform<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Please note that this audition is currently open to Japanese-speaking participants. We are considering opportunities for other language groups in the future, but for this round, Japanese proficiency is required.<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SHIKA-Q_Audition.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n\u25a0Product Overview&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Title: SHIKA-Q<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nGenre: Ultra-Fast Competitive Puzzle Game<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nPlayers: 1\u20132 (Online Multiplayer Supported)<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nDistribution: Digital Download Only<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nRating: CERO A<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Platforms: Nintendo Switch\u2122, PlayStation\u00ae4, PlayStation\u00ae5, Steam (TBD)<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nLanguages: Japanese, English, Simplified\/Traditional Chinese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The title will be available in most regions supported by each platform, excluding China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n\u25a0Release Schedule&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Nintendo Switch\u2122: April 9, 2026 (00:00 JST)<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">PlayStation\u00ae4 \/ PlayStation\u00ae5: April 9, 2026 (00:00 JST)<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Steam: TBA<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Release timing may vary depending on region and platform.<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/SHIKA-Q_keyvisual.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p data-end=\"177\" data-start=\"0\">\u25a0Release Date<br data-end=\"16\" data-start=\"13\"\/>&#13;<br \/>\nNintendo Switch\u2122: April 9, 2026 (00:00 JST)<br data-end=\"62\" data-start=\"59\"\/>&#13;<br \/>\nNintendo eShop: <a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendo.com\/it-it\/Giochi\/Giochi-scaricabili-per-Nintendo-Switch\/SHIKA-Q-3060714.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/www.nintendo.com\/it-it\/Giochi\/Giochi-scaricabili-per-Nintendo-Switch\/SHIKA-Q-3060714.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p data-end=\"339\" data-start=\"179\">PlayStation\u00ae4 \/ PlayStation\u00ae5: April 9, 2026 (00:00 JST)<br data-end=\"238\" data-start=\"235\"\/>&#13;<br \/>\nPlayStation Store:<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\n<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/store.playstation.com\/zh-hant-tw\/product\/JP5593-CUSA57057_00-0120180967376671\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/store.playstation.com\/zh-hant-tw\/product\/JP5593-CUSA57057_00-0120180967376671<\/a><br \/>&#13;<br \/>\n<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/store.playstation.com\/zh-hant-tw\/product\/JP5593-PPSA31366_00-0109554914688688\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">https:\/\/store.playstation.com\/zh-hant-tw\/product\/JP5593-PPSA31366_00-0109554914688688<\/a><br \/>&#13;<br \/>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p data-end=\"365\" data-start=\"341\">Steam: To be announced<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p data-end=\"424\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\" data-start=\"367\">Release timing may vary depending on region and platform.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u25a0Editions<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Nintendo Switch<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Available in the following editions:<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">&#8211; Standard Edition<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">&#8211; Nexus Edition (Base Game + Nexus Battle Pass)<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">&#8211; Premium Edition (Base Game + Premium Battle Pass)<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">&#8211; Deluxe Edition (Base Game + Battle Pass Set)<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Additional content:<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">&#8211; Nexus Battle Pass<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">&#8211; Premium Battle Pass<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">&#8211; Battle Pass Set<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">PlayStation\u00ae4 \/ PlayStation\u00ae5<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Available as:<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">&#8211; Base Game<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">&#8211; Deluxe Edition<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">&#8211; Individual Battle Passes<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Note: Nexus and Premium Editions are not available on PlayStation platforms.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Prices may vary by region and platform. Please refer to each store for details.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nPlayStation\u00ae Early Purchase Offer&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Discount: 20% off for PlayStation\u00aePlus members until April 30, 2026 (23:59 local time)<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Bonus Items: Customers who purchase during the early period will receive four in-game cosmetic items:<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Player Icons \u00d72: \u201cMark of the Pioneer[Blue]\u201d, \u201cMark of the Pioneer[Red]\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Battle BGM \u00d71: \u201cWind Racer\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Achievement Badge \u00d71: \u201cFounding Challenger\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<br \/>\n\t&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">These items are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay balance.<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EarlyPurchase-02-EN.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nAbout SHIKA-Q&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">SHIKA-Q is an ultra-fast competitive puzzle game played on a 10\u00d710 board, where players connect \u201cLinks\u201d to outmaneuver opponents in real time.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Combat elements such as attacks, interference, recovery, and special abilities occur simultaneously, creating a strategic experience comparable to fighting games. Its real-time board transformation system demands both rapid decision-making and sharp reflexes.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The game features a single-player challenge mode, competitive multiplayer, online rankings, and a battle pass system, with ongoing plans for esports expansion.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nLinks&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Official Website:<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/shika-q.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> https:\/\/shika-q.com<\/a><br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nX (Twitter):<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/sikaq_info\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"> https:\/\/x.com\/sikaq_info<\/a><br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nSteam:<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/4083790\/SHIKAQ\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/4083790\/SHIKAQ\/<\/a><br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nYouTube:<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SHIKA-QOFFICIAL-z4m\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SHIKA-QOFFICIAL-z4m<\/a><br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nDiscord:<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/discord.gg\/wnZAxBqd4W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> https:\/\/discord.gg\/wnZAxBqd4W<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nCompany Information&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Company Name: AGNI-FLARE Co., Ltd.<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nLocation: 6F HF Shin-Yokohama Building, 2-17-19 Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nCEO: Takeshi Inaba<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nEstablished: December 21, 2010<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nCapital: \u00a52,000,000<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nContact&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">AGNI-FLARE Co., Ltd. \u2013 Public Relations<br \/>&#13;<br \/>\nEmail:<a class=\"gp-autolink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gamespress.com\/en-US\/mailto:support@agni-flare.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">support@agni-flare.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"&#13; &#13; &#13; AGNI-FLARE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa; CEO: Takeshi Inaba) is pleased to announce that its&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":389746,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[61,60,80],"class_list":{"0":"post-389745","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-technology","8":"tag-ie","9":"tag-ireland","10":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/389745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=389745"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/389745\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/389746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=389745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=389745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=389745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}