KIOU is a free-to-play competitive shogi game from Nekonome Inc. running on KIOU AI built by professional player Hiroki Taniai 5-dan, with iOS, Android, and Steam versions available and more than 10 million cumulative matches recorded as of September 2026.
Nekonome released KIOU on June 12, 2026 for iOS and Android, with the Steam version following on June 14. The game is free-to-play with optional in-app purchases and includes online, ranked, casual, and CPU battle modes. Time settings include the Fischer rule, 3-minute sudden death, and 10-second shogi. Matches run on KIOU AI, built by professional player Hiroki Taniai 5-dan, which suggests moves during play. The release also includes voiced characters, an affection system, and effects for strategies, and a monthly subscription is available for AI analysis.
On June 19, Nekonome announced the Google Play Store version would arrive on June 22, 2026. Until then the Android build was distributed as an APK file from the official website, which limited installation and updates. The iOS version was already on the App Store, and the PC version was on Steam, so the Google Play release closed the gap in how Android players could get the game.
By September 14, 2026, KIOU had passed 10 million cumulative matches, roughly three months after launch. The company reported the figure across the ranked, CPU, and friend match modes already in the game. Coverage has been consistent on formats and platforms, with the Android distribution question settled by the Google Play release and the match count the most recent measure of how the game is being used.
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KIOU, the competitive shogi game from Nekonome Inc., has passed 10 million cumulative matches, roughly three months after the game went live. The iOS and Android versions launched on Friday, June 12, 2026, with the PC version on Steam following on June 14. The game runs on KIOU AI, built by professional player Hiroki Taniai, 5-dan, and supports ranked, CPU, and friend matches.
Neconome Co., Ltd. announced that the Google Play Store version of its competitive shogi game 'KIOU' will release on Monday, June 22, 2026. Previously available only via the official website for Android, the game will now be easier to install and update. The iOS version is on the App Store, and the PC version is on Steam.
Nekonome Co., Ltd. released the competitive shogi game KIOU on June 12, 2026 for iOS and Android, followed by a Steam (PC) version on June 14. The game is free-to-play with optional in-app purchases. It features the KIOU AI, created by professional shogi player Hiroki Taniai 5-dan, which suggests moves during matches. Players can choose from online, ranked, casual, and CPU battle modes, with time settings including the Fischer rule, 3-minute sudden death, and 10-second shogi. The game also includes a cast of characters with voice acting, an affection system, and effects for strategies. The Android version is currently distributed as an APK file from the official website, with a Google Play release planned later. A monthly subscription for AI analysis is available. The game aims to appeal to both beginners and advanced players.