- The Pedigree: Hosted by NEOWIZ, the publisher behind indie hits Skul: The Hero Slayer and SANABI.
- The Scale: NEOWIZ’s largest competition to date, featuring teams from Korea, the US, China, and beyond.
- The Focus: Narrative-driven gameplay and storytelling excellence.
- The Reward: A total prize pool of 165 million KRW (approx. $120,000 USD) and zero mandatory publishing ties.
NEOWIZ (Co-CEOs Seung-chul Kim and Tae-geun Bae) announced on the 22nd that it held the awards ceremony for its global indie game competition, “NEOWIZ Indie Quest,” at its Pangyo headquarters. After nine months of intense competition, the narrative adventure GLASS HOUSE emerged as the grand prize winner.
A 9-Month Global Journey for Narrative Excellence
NEOWIZ Indie Quest was designed to foster global indie talent by prioritizing world-building and storytelling over raw commercial metrics. The competition attracted hundreds of entries from across the globe, including significant participation from developers in South Korea, the United States, and China.
The top 10 finalists were awarded a combined 165 million KRW. Unlike traditional competitions, NEOWIZ intentionally structured the rewards to support the creators’ independence; winners receive prize money, mentoring, and strategic consulting without being forced into a publishing contract. This allows developers to focus purely on their creative vision while leveraging NEOWIZ’s industry expertise.
The Winners: Mastering the Art of the Story
The judging panel focused on how well a game’s scenario was integrated into its core mechanics.
- 1st Place: GLASS HOUSE
- 2nd Place: INARI
- 3rd Place (Tie): NAME OF THE WILL, HAWTHORN, and GRETEL & HANSEL
“The future of gaming lies in the power of narrative—solid world-building, unique stories, and characters that spark a fandom,” NEOWIZ stated during the ceremony. Having successfully launched titles like the million-seller Skul and the emotionally gripping SANABI, NEOWIZ continues to cement its reputation as a premier “tastemaker” in the global indie scene.
Spotlight on the Champion: ‘GLASS HOUSE’
Developed by the Italian indie studio Flat28, GLASS HOUSE is an isometric narrative-driven adventure that takes place within the confines of a secluded “Glass House.”
- Atmospheric Tension: The game explores the psychological friction and shifting relationships between characters cut off from the outside world.
- Player Agency: Every choice and interaction directly alters the flow of the story, leading to multiple paths and hidden truths.
- Minimalist Aesthetic: The game utilizes a symbolic visual style and haunting sound design to emphasize a sense of unease, creating a deeply immersive experience where the environment is as much a character as the inhabitants.
1st Place Winner ‘Glass House’
‘GLASS HOUSE’, which took first place with the highest evaluation in this competition, is a game currently under development by the Italian indie game studio ‘Flat28’, in which a creative worldview, dense narrative, and unique storytelling techniques are closely integrated throughout the gameplay.
Set in a closed-off glass house, the game is a narrative-driven adventure where the story unfolds based on the player’s choices and actions. Characterized by a structure where relationships between characters and psychological tensions gradually emerge within an environment cut off from the outside world, the game uncovers hidden truths through exploration and interaction. Minimalist yet symbolic visuals and sound design emphasize an unsettling atmosphere, while the game features immersive gameplay where player choices directly influence the narrative.
Neowiz Indie Quest Award Winner – Steam Page Link
| ranking | Title of the work |
|---|---|
| 1st place | GLASS HOUSE |
| 2nd place | INARI |
| 3rd place (tied) | NAME OF THE WILL |
| 3rd place (tied) | HAWTHORN |
| 3rd place (tied) | GRETEL & HANSEL |
