Kao UFO wins four awards at Tokyo Game Show 2026

The indie game ‘Kao UFO’ has won four awards at the ‘Sense of Wonder Night 2026’ contest held during the Tokyo Game Show 2026. The titles include the Audience Award Grand Prix, Best Experimental Game Award, Best Game Design Award, and Best Presentation Award.

Developed by freelance creator Takahiro Miyazawa, the action game uses facial expression recognition via a USB camera to control a UFO. Players navigate obstacles by changing their expressions: smiling moves the character upward, while making a surprised face moves it downward. Other expressions, such as anger or sadness, facilitate forward movement.

Miyazawa expressed surprise at the high level of recognition and is currently working toward a release planned for the Nintendo Switch 2 within 2026.