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    Global Steam Playtest Now Open to the Public
    Playtest Period Extended Until February 1, 2026 Due to Strong Response

Press release

Ultra-High-Speed Competitive Puzzle Game SHIKA-Q
Global Steam Playtest Now Open to the Public
Playtest Period Extended Until February 1, 2026 Due to Strong Response

Agni Flare Inc. (Head Office: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; CEO: Takeshi Inaba) is pleased to announce that the Steam Playtest period for SHIKA-Q, an ultra-high-speed competitive puzzle game developed by a small independent team, has been extended until Sunday, February 1, 2026, following an overwhelmingly positive response from players worldwide.
The Steam Playtest began on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and was originally scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. To allow more players around the world to experience SHIKA-Q ahead of its official release, the development team has decided to extend the Playtest period.


SHIKA-Q Steam Playtest Details
  • Start Date: December 28, 2025
  • End Date: February 1, 2026
  • Regions: Worldwide (Public Playtest)
 
Available Modes
  • Offline Versus
  • Challenge Mode (Playable up to Level 20)



Steam Page:https://store.steampowered.com/app/4083790/SHIKAQ/
This Playtest provides a pre-release demo version of the game.
Planned platforms for the full release include Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, and Steam. (The release timing for the Steam version has not yet been determined.)
What You Can Experience in the Steam Playtest
This Playtest allows players to experience the core gameplay elements that define SHIKA-Q.
Offline Versus Mode
Players can battle against the CPU (1P vs CPU) or compete locally with another player on the same device. The mode delivers a pace and tension close to the full retail version.
Challenge Mode (High-Score Mode)
A single-player mode that normally progresses from Level 1 to Level 99. In the Playtest, players can play up to Level 20.
As the music evolves, both difficulty and gameplay dynamics change, offering an intense, music-synchronized, high-speed puzzle experience unique to SHIKA-Q.
Online multiplayer, ranked matches, battle passes, and certain other features are not included in this Playtest.
  • Playable Characters: 4
  • Included Music Tracks: 5
In the full version, a wide range of customization content—such as characters, background music, icons, UI themes, wallpapers, and loading screens—will be available at no additional cost.
Additionally, seasonal Battle Pass DLC is planned, featuring:
  • Up to 20 additional characters per season
  • 10 full vocal tracks
  • Exclusive icons, UI designs, wallpapers, and loading screens
Players will be able to unlock these items by completing missions and selecting rewards.
About SHIKA-Q
SHIKA-Q is an ultra-high-speed competitive puzzle game in which players connect links on a 10×10 board and engage in constant offense and defense through split-second decision-making.
Built around strategy, speed, and competition, the game delivers dense, fast-moving battles in short play sessions.
Unlike traditional falling-block puzzle games, SHIKA-Q does not rely on blocks dropping from above. Instead, the board changes instantly the moment a block is placed, creating a real-time competitive experience.
Beyond simply forming links, players must read their opponent’s intentions and carefully time attacks, disruption, recovery actions, and special moves. This creates mind games similar to those found in fighting games, despite its puzzle-based foundation.
Because each decision directly affects the outcome, players are required to think and react simultaneously. Matches move at an extremely fast pace, with momentum shifts that are easy to read at a glance—making SHIKA-Q not only engaging to play, but also highly watchable and well-suited for esports.
Music plays a central role in the experience. Rather than functioning as background accompaniment, fully vocal tracks are designed to represent the match itself, synchronizing gameplay and music to create a deeply immersive experience.
 
Key Features
Strategy × Ultra-Speed × Competitive Play
Connect links on a 10×10 board while executing real-time attacks, disruption, recovery, and special moves.
In addition to offline play, online battles and ranked matches are planned for the full release.
Challenge Mode
A single-player, music-driven mode focused on high-score competition. The progression of the music directly drives gameplay, blending sound and play into a unified experience.
Characters and Worldbuilding
A cast of distinctive characters, along with customizable UI designs and character-specific emotes, allows players to express themselves during matches.
Long-Term Engagement
Seasonal Battle Pass DLC with missions and rewards is planned to support long-term play.
 
Product Information
  • Title: SHIKA-Q
  • Genre: Ultra-High-Speed Competitive Puzzle Game
  • Release Window: Winter 2026 (Planned)
  • Price: TBD
  • Rating: CERO A
  • Platforms: Nintendo Switch™ / PlayStation®4 / PlayStation®5 / Steam
  • Distribution: Digital Download Only
  • Supported Languages:
    Japanese, English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean
Related Links
 
Related Links
Official Website: https://shika-q.com
Official X (Twitter): https://x.com/sikaq_info
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4083790/SHIKAQ/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SHIKA-QOFFICIAL-z4m
Discord: https://discord.gg/wnZAxBqd4W
Contact
Agni Flare Inc.
SHIKA-Q PR Team
Email: info@shika-q.com

Company Information

  • Company Name: Agni Flare Inc.
  • Founded: December 21, 2010
  • Capital: ¥2,000,000
  • Address:
    HF Shin-Yokohama Building 6F,
    2-17-19 Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

CEO: Takeshi Inaba