- Korean Indie Studio Pepperstones to Participate in Shanghai ChinaJoy 2026 Booth from July 31
- A new official trailer was also unveiled for the first time during the event, with a target release date of Q1 2027 on Steam Early Access.
‘HIPS N NOSES’, a new game currently under development by the Korean indie game studio PepperStones, will participate in ‘ChinaJoy 2026’, which will be held in Shanghai, China from July 31 to August 3.
Visitors can experience the game’s public play demo for the first time in the world at Booth G-892 in Hall N1 of the Shanghai New International Expo Center, and a new official trailer is also scheduled to be unveiled for the first time during the event.
[Related Article: Pepperstones Unveils Steam Page and Trailer for New Indie Title ‘HIPS N’ NOSES’]
HIPS N NOSES is a game that combines cafe management simulation with action roguelike.
The player takes on the role of Mela, a girl who can dream alone in a world where no one can sleep. During the day, she runs a café frequented by customers who have lost their memories, while at night, she enters an ever-changing nightmare to fight monsters and collect ‘Flowers of Memory’.
A recipe completed with hints from conversation, a cyclical structure connecting day and night
In this ChinaJoy demo, the game’s core day and night cycle structure will be revealed for the first time.
During the day, you run a cafe by understanding customers’ tastes and needs through conversations and combining ingredients based on this to complete recipes. At night, you enter a dream world to engage in action battles and acquire special ingredients that cannot be obtained in reality.
Spoils obtained through combat serve as the foundation for growth, expanding the cafe’s infrastructure and building up characters. An interesting point is the close interaction between the two content types.
Daytime business performance determines nighttime survival chances, and the results of battles in the nightmare drive the store’s growth in reality. In essence, the disparate genres of tycoon and action roguelike interlock within the narrative of ‘day and night,’ creating a single, highly polished gameplay flow.
The contrast between two worlds realized through cartoon-style visuals
The game’s visuals are realized in Pepperstones’ signature vivid cartoon art style. The warm and cozy atmosphere of the cafe contrasts sharply with the ominous and surreal dream world, creating the game’s unique character.
The developers stated that they extended this contrast to music and character direction, structuring the two worlds with different atmospheres to naturally connect within a single universe. The new trailer to be unveiled at this event will also introduce the expanded worldview and key characters, as well as scenes of cafe management and combat.
A studio founded by middle school classmates, the second new title with a history of Tokyo Game Show and Gamescom
Pepperstones is a South Korean indie game studio established in 2021, co-founded by two middle school classmates while they were in college. They aim to create memorable experiences through vivid visuals and organically interconnected game systems.
The previous title, ‘Wetory’, was showcased at Tokyo Game Show 2022 and achieved the feat of being selected for Gamescom’s ‘Best Indie Top 10’. Building on the success of its predecessor, ‘HIPS N NOSES’ is a title that faithfully inherits the distinctive cartoon art style and action-packed combat.
In particular, it is attracting the attention of many gamers for significantly expanding the volume and depth of the game by adding a more intricate tycoon system, dense interactions between characters, and an attractive narrative plot.
Exceeding Wishlist Goals… Playtest Participants Continue to Praise
Even before its official reveal, ‘HIPS N NOSES’ has been garnering steady interest, primarily within the Steam community. According to the development team, the number of wishlist entries has exceeded their internal targets, and positive reactions have continued among playtest participants.
In particular, there was much praise for the lighthearted cafe management, charming combat, attractive art style, and story, and it was confirmed that the game is difficult to put down. Some overseas users also highly appreciated the 3D-based rendering, rather than the typical low-cost sprite method.
Based on this feedback, the development team is continuing to make improvements, such as adjusting character balance, and is continuously communicating with users through Discord and the Steam community.
Pepperstones stated, “ChinaJoy is the first opportunity to showcase ‘HIPS N NOSES’ to the public in a playable form,” adding, “We want to hear various opinions directly regarding cafe management, recipes, and dream battles.”
The Pepperstones, having made a name for themselves in the global market with their previous work, are aiming for a consecutive home run with an even more evolved “day and night virtuous cycle thriller.” Their participation in ChinaJoy is expected to be the most intense test to gauge their potential for global success.
Aiming to capture the hearts of global users with its charming cartoon art and intricate narrative, ‘HIPS N NOSES’ is set to arrive in Steam Early Access in the first quarter of 2027. If you are a gamer curious about the secrets of the sleepless city, why not visit the Steam Store page now and add it to your wishlist?
Information regarding ‘HIPS N NOSES’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | PepperStones (South Korea) |
| Publisher | PepperStones.Inc (Self-publishing) |
| Genre | Cafe Management Simulation / Action Roguelike |
| Release platform | PC (Steam), Console |
| Scheduled for Early Access release | Q1 2027 |
| Participation Event | 2026 ChinaJoy (July 31–August 3, 2026, Shanghai New International Expo Center) |
| Booth location | N1 Building G-892 |
| Main contents | World’s first public play demo and new official trailer unveiled simultaneously |
| Previous work | Wetory (Exhibited at Tokyo Game Show 2022, Gamescom Best Indie Top 10) |
| Official Channel | X(@Project_Mela), Instagram(pepperstones_kr), Discord |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
