Seoul, South Korea – September 4, 2025 – Smilegate announced that its global gaming platform STOVE has signed a global publishing agreement with AIXLAB for the upcoming Korean horror adventure game “Alleyway: Soul Trace.” The game is scheduled for release on STOVE within 2025, with global distribution to follow.
A Chilling Horror Experience in Familiar Korean Alleyways
Alleyway: Soul Trace immerses players in eerie, atmospheric alleyways where they must collect lingering “soul traces” of ghosts while seeking escape from unsettling paranormal events. AIXLAB has recreated the look and feel of Korea’s old alleyways with striking realism, turning once-familiar environments into spaces of fear and unease.
Players take on the role of So-yeon, who suddenly finds herself trapped in a haunted alley. As she confronts bizarre phenomena, players must actively observe, interpret, and react to supernatural disturbances. Choices and collected soul traces influence the game’s multi-ending structure, ensuring unique outcomes with each playthrough.
From VR Pioneers to Full-Fledged Horror Game Developers
Founded in 2016, AIXLAB is an interactive design studio specializing in VR, AR, and XR content. The studio has been recognized for works such as Haunted House VR and Forbidden Art VR, which earned accolades including the Korea Game Awards (VR category) and a 2024 Excellent Game of the Month Award.
Their shift into a traditional horror game has generated significant anticipation from both industry experts and gamers. The game’s debut at STOVE’s “Smart Demo Life” showcase and at Busan Indie Connect Festival (BIC) 2025 drew strong reactions. At BIC, the demo booth saw long waiting lines, with attendees praising it as “the first true K-horror game” and remarking on the unexpected terror of something as mundane as an alleyway.
Strong Community Buzz Ahead of Launch
In online gaming communities, players have already dubbed Alleyway: Soul Trace as “the most anticipated horror game of the year”, with comments describing its tension-filled atmosphere as “heart-pounding”. AIXLAB and Smilegate are currently refining the title based on user feedback, with plans for a full release on STOVE within 2025, followed by a global rollout.
A Step Toward Defining K-Horror in Games
“Alleyway: Soul Trace combines uniquely Korean atmospheres with occult symbolism, offering players a new benchmark in K-horror,” said Yeo Seung-hwan, Executive Director at Smilegate. “We aim to deliver an unforgettable mix of suspense and immersion to global players through this game.”
