Event Overview
Sony broadcast a Japan-focused State of Play presentation on November 11, 2025 at 2 PM Pacific Time. The showcase highlighted games targeting the Japanese and broader Asia-Pacific markets, featuring multiple 2026 release dates and pre-order availability announcements. Japanese voice actor Yuki Kaji hosted the presentation, which streamed on PlayStation's official YouTube and Twitch channels.
State of Play Japan presentations typically emphasize genres and franchises with strong appeal in Asian markets, including action games, visual novels, racing simulations, and role-playing games from Japanese developers. This particular showcase confirmed several previously announced titles while revealing new gameplay footage and concrete release windows.
Major Announcements and Release Dates
BlazBlue Entropy Effect X
Arc System Works' roguelite action game BlazBlue Entropy Effect X launches on PlayStation 5 on February 12, 2026. The game combines the BlazBlue fighting game universe with roguelite progression systems and action-focused gameplay distinct from the series' traditional fighting game mechanics. Pre-orders opened immediately following the announcement.
Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse
This PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 action title arrives on March 5, 2026. The game features hand-drawn animation and action gameplay centered around a witch protagonist navigating a cursed world. Pre-orders became available following the reveal.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake
Koei Tecmo's remake of the 2003 survival horror classic Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly releases exclusively on PlayStation 5 on March 12, 2026. The remake modernizes the original game's graphics and controls while preserving the core Camera Obscura photography-based ghost combat system. The Fatal Frame series has historically performed strongly in Japan and maintains a dedicated following for its distinctive approach to horror gameplay. Pre-orders are currently available.
Gran Turismo 7 Power Pack DLC
Polyphony Digital confirmed the Power Pack expansion for Gran Turismo 7 releases on December 4, 2025. The paid downloadable content adds fifty new races, a dedicated endurance mode with 24-hour events, and the Gran Turismo Sophy 3.0 artificial intelligence system. The announcement included pre-order details and pricing information for the Japanese market.
Octopath Traveler 0
Square Enix made a demo for Octopath Traveler 0 available on the same day as the State of Play broadcast. The demo allows players to experience the early portion of the game, and progress from the demo carries forward to the full release on December 4, 2025. This release strategy encourages players to try the game before committing to a purchase while providing a preview of the story and combat systems.
Why This Showcase Matters for PlayStation Fans
Japan-focused State of Play presentations often reveal games that receive simultaneous worldwide releases despite their initial announcement in a Japanese-language showcase. While some titles remain exclusive to Asian markets or receive delayed Western releases, many games announced during these broadcasts launch globally with localization support included from day one.
The confirmed 2026 release dates provide concrete planning information for players interested in Japanese-developed games across multiple genres. The immediate availability of pre-orders following these announcements also indicates that development has progressed to a stage where publishers feel confident committing to specific release windows.
How to Watch the Archived Broadcast
The full State of Play Japan presentation remains available on PlayStation's official YouTube channel for viewers who missed the live broadcast or want to review specific announcements. Individual game trailers from the showcase are also published separately on both PlayStation's channel and the respective publishers' channels, making it easy to share or revisit specific announcements.
Official Resources
Browse the PlayStation Blog's full recap for individual game posts, trailers, and additional details on each announcement from the showcase.