PROJECT ZIRCON

PROJECT ZIRCON is a strategic deckbuilding roguelike from KONAMI. You take on the role of a head of state in a dark fantasy world, where the Calamity Dragon of the Abyss returns after 100 years. To save your land, you recruit character cards, build facilities and shape a new strategy in every run.

A full run spans five game years. Each year, your state must meet set goals. On the normal path, the fight against the Calamity Dragon awaits in the fifth year.

KONAMI has not yet named a release date for PROJECT ZIRCON. The Steam page is already live and the game can be added to your wishlist. At the Tokyo Game Show 2026, producer Shiro publicly showed a playable demo for the first time on Sep 19, 2026.

Currently confirmed is a PC version via Steam. No other platforms have been announced by KONAMI.

PROJECT ZIRCON alternates between a Strategy Phase and an Admin Phase in each game year. In the Strategy Phase, you expand territory, buy character cards and build facilities. Three resources determine the country's development: Commerce, Industry and Culture.

In the Admin Phase, character cards are placed on the playing field. Each card has a rank and a type. Strong combinations with facilities increase income, with the system deliberately reminiscent of poker-style combination logic. In addition, up to three Zirpower effects can be equipped that specifically change a run.

Today's TGS demo showed the full loop in motion for the first time. Events and decisions branch the story, several endings are possible, and not every winning path requires purely military strength. A run is designed to take about an hour. Rising player levels unlock additional facilities and starting decks.