Smilegate’s gaming platform Stove announced on the 3rd that the platform has signed a global publishing deal for the new horror title 'Alley: Trace', developed by AIXLAB.

Alley: Trace is a horror adventure game where players must navigate a grim alleyway to collect 'traces' of spirits and find an escape. The developer has meticulously recreated the nostalgic scenery of old-school Korean alleyways, only to warp these familiar spaces into something deeply unsettling and bizarre. While actively identifying and responding to 'anomalies' within the game, players are promised something far more intense than your standard jump scares.

The game features a multi-ending structure that shifts based on how many traces are collected, ensuring that every playthrough offers fresh consequences. As the protagonist, Soyeon, attempts to uncover the truth and survive the suddenly ominous surroundings, the game aims to dial up both psychological tension and immersion to the max.

AIXLAB is an interactive design studio established in 2016, specializing in VR, AR, and XR experiential content. The developer has proven its mettle by winning the VR category at the Korea Game Awards and being named a notable game of the second half of 2024 for titles like 'Abandoned House VR' and 'Forbidden Art VR'.

Stove and AIXLAB are currently polishing the experience based on player feedback, with a release on the Stove platform slated for later this year. A broader global rollout is planned to follow.

Director Yeo Seung-hwan of Smilegate remarked, 'Alley: Trace blends Korean sensibilities with occult symbolism, and I believe it shows new potential for K-horror. We are committed to ensuring global players experience unforgettable tension and immersion through this title.'