Japanese retailer Parco has revealed the launch of its independent game publishing division

Parco, a Japanese department store chain, has launched its indie game publishing brand, Parco Games.

According to VGC, Parco is well-known for its shopping malls across Japan, including its Shibuya location in Tokyo, which houses official stores for Sony, Nintendo, and Capcom. This year, some of its department stores have hosted Death Stranding 2 pop-up tour events in Japan.

Parco Games intends to use its network of 15 department stores to highlight indie games, with a debut showcase planned at this year's Tokyo Game Show.

The first slate of games from Parco Games includes Nova Antarctica, an atmospheric adventure; Constance, a 2D Metroidvania; and The Berlin Apartment, a first-person walking simulator. These titles are expected to be released in winter 2025.

The publisher expressed on its website (translated via Google Translate) that Parco has grown with various cultures and communities, embracing fashion, film, music, literature, and social venues. They emphasize that culture helps people lead authentic lives.

They noted, "Games play a vital role in Japanese culture, prompting us to explore what Parco can contribute to gaming."

The website also stated, "Together with gamers of all kinds, we aim to explore gaming's potential and shape its future," noting their commitment to taking on new challenges.

This year has seen the introduction of several indie publishers, including Lyrical Games, Six One Indie Publishing, The CoLab, and Three Friends.