The Taipei Game Show 2026 Indie Game Award (IGA) ceremony, held on the evening of January 28, has showcased the immense talent of the Asian indie scene. In a record-breaking year for the event, South Korean developer Concode took home a major trophy, while Japan’s TearyHand Studio claimed the evening’s highest honor.
South Korea’s Concode Triumphs with ‘Graytail’
The mystery adventure title Graytail, developed by the Korean indie studio Concode, was crowned Best Mobile Game. The game follows a protagonist investigating mutants on a mysterious island while searching for their missing mother.
Judges were captivated by the game’s “seamless narrative progression and elegant visual style,” labeling it a masterpiece with high potential. Beyond its win in the mobile category, Graytail was a heavy hitter across the board, receiving nominations in three categories including Best Visual Art.
Current Status: A demo is currently available on Steam, with the mobile version slated for release following the official PC launch.
A demo version is currently available on Steam, and a mobile version will be released after the official launch.
Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2888960/Graytail/
‘and Roger’ Stuns the Jury: Grand Prix & Best Audio Double Win
The most prestigious award of the night, the Grand Prix, was awarded to and Roger, a point-and-click visual novel developed by Japan’s TearyHand Studio and published by Kodansha Creators’ Lab. The game also secured the Best Audio award, making it the only double-winner of the night.
The story explores the perspective of a family dealing with dementia, a narrative so moving that several judges admitted to being “moved to tears.” This marks the first time in seven years that a Japanese indie game has won the Grand Prix at the Taipei Game Show.
- Global Recognition: and Roger has already swept awards at the 2025 Tokyo Game Show and has been nominated for a BAFTA in the “Game Beyond Entertainment” category.
- Celebration Sale: To celebrate the win, a 30% discount is available on Steam and Nintendo Switch until February 11, 2026 (KST).
IGA 2026 Winners Circle
| Award Category | Game Title | Developer (Country) |
| Grand Prix | and Roger | TearyHand Studio (Japan) |
| Best Mobile Game | Graytail | Concode (South Korea) |
| Best Audio | and Roger | TearyHand Studio (Japan) |
| Best Narrative | The Berlin Apartment | Blue Backpack (Germany) |
| Best Visual Art | Aeruta | FromDawn Games (Taiwan) |
| Best Design | BALL x PIT | Kenny Sun & Friends (USA) |
| Best Innovation | No Players Online | Beeswax Games (Belgium) |
| Best Student Game | Froggo’s Adventure | SmellyFrog (Taiwan) |
To celebrate the award, there will be a 30% discount on Steam and Nintendo Switch until February 11th at 2:59 PM KST.
Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3308870/and_Roger/
A Record-Breaking Year for Indie Innovation
The 12th annual IGA saw its largest participation to date, with 515 entries from 51 countries, a 1.5x increase from the previous year. New participants from countries like Norway, Panama, and Kyrgyzstan added to the global diversity of the event.
The selection process utilized a unique “Peer Review” system where developers evaluate each other’s work, fostering a global exchange of creative ideas before a final panel of industry experts and media professionals determined the winners.
All winning titles will be playable at the Indie House “Winner’s Pavilion” at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center for the duration of the show (January 29 – February 1).
