Double Victory for Shape of Dreams: Indie Game & Best Developer Awards
Busan, South Korea — Indie game studio Lizard Smoothie achieved a remarkable feat at the 2025 Korea Game Awards, held on November 12 at BEXCO in Busan, by winning both the Indie Game Award and the Best Developer Award for its breakout title Shape of Dreams.
Launched in September 2025, Shape of Dreams became one of the year’s biggest indie success stories, peaking at 45,000 concurrent players and surpassing 600,000 units sold within two months — a staggering accomplishment for a two-person team.
From Job Portfolio to 600,000 Copies Sold
In his acceptance speech, Sim Eun-seop, CEO of Lizard Smoothie, shared the game’s humble beginnings:
“Shape of Dreams began as a simple job portfolio project. We never imagined it would grow this much. Over two years of development, we’ve learned and grown so much thanks to the love and feedback from players.”
He added:
“I’ve gained deep respect for indie developers everywhere. Thank you to everyone who supported us so we could tell the stories we wanted to create.”
A Genre-Bending Fusion of MOBA and Roguelike
Praised for its innovative gameplay, Shape of Dreams combines the strategic teamwork of MOBA games with the procedural variety of roguelikes. Set in a surreal world where the protagonist enters their own dream, the game’s subculture-inspired art style, fast-paced combat, and dynamic skill combinations captured players’ imaginations.
Critics hailed the title as a bold step for Korean indie games, commending its creative mechanics, distinct identity, and strong replay value that appealed to both MOBA fans and roguelike enthusiasts.
Two Developers Who Did It All
Founded in 2023, Lizard Smoothie consisted of only two developers who handled everything — from programming and art to story design and QA.
Despite facing burnout and uncertainty, the team continued refining the game through iterative feedback and KPI analysis, ensuring every mechanic felt polished and purposeful.
Their persistence paid off. After early recognition in multiple competitions — including Gold at the 2023 GIGDC University Division and Grand Prize at the Smilegate IndieGo 2024 Contest — the project attracted attention from publisher NEOWIZ, enabling a successful global release.
Commercial Success and Industry Impact
Within one week of launch, Shape of Dreams sold over 300,000 copies, doubling that figure within two months. The game’s innovative blend of genres, coupled with refined action design, resonated with players worldwide and positioned Sim Eun-seop as one of Korea’s most promising next-generation developers.
Industry analysts describe the game as “a perfect example of indie creativity meeting commercial success.”
NEOWIZ Strengthens Its K-Indie Legacy
A NEOWIZ spokesperson celebrated the win, stating:
“We’re thrilled that both our AAA and indie titles were recognized at this year’s awards. This victory reaffirms our belief in supporting creative Korean indie teams and bringing their visions to global audiences.”
The achievement marks NEOWIZ’s second Korea Game Award for indie publishing, following SANABI’s win in 2022. The publisher’s ongoing commitment to nurturing K-Indie talent continues to bolster Korea’s independent game ecosystem.
A Turning Point for Korean Indie Development
Lizard Smoothie’s story stands as proof that small teams with clear vision and steady execution can thrive in the global market. The fact that this year’s Best Developer Award went to an indie studio underscores a broader industry shift — one where creativity and originality increasingly define Korea’s gaming future.
Shape of Dreams is now available on Steam. Its success continues to inspire the next wave of Korean indie developers aiming to follow in Lizard Smoothie’s footsteps.
