BEIJING – May 14, 2026 – The night is unremarkable – until it isn't. Developer AIXLAB, publisher Smilegate, and co-publisher Thermite Games have announced that the free demo for The Alley, the first-person psychological horror game set in the maze-like, claustrophobic alleyways of Korea, is now available on Steam. Trapped in an unassuming, everyday labyrinth, you'll have to use your camera, keen observational skills, and clever wits to investigate the supernatural forces stalking you – and survive.
The Alley - Official Demo Launch Trailer
High school student Soyeon steps out of evening class and into streets she has walked a hundred times before. But something has changed. The alley stretches longer than it should. The exit never comes. The bracelet her shaman grandmother pressed into her hands years ago suddenly begins to glow — it is not only a warning and a guide, but also the only thing standing between her and whatever stirs in the dark.
At its core, The Alley is a game of anomaly detection and consequence. The bracelet signals that something is wrong; the player must uncover what it is. Photograph anything suspicious, then send your assessment to your grandmother by MMS — is it a Ghost Trace, something that you could never experience in the real world, or a Ghost Feint, something strange yet still possibly existing in reality? Every correct judgment is a step toward the truth, while every mistake brings something dangerous closer.
The world of The Alley is rooted in Korean folk tradition – mudang shamanism, an ancient bloodline of spiritual power passed through generations. AIXLAB, a studio with nearly a decade of horror environment craft behind it, has recreated the texture of Korea's backstreets with painstaking fidelity: the layout feels familiar, but the signage, storefronts, and alley details quietly insist that you do not belong here. That uncanny distance is where the dread takes hold.
"We want to create spaces that are completely ordinary to Koreans to feel terrifying through atmosphere alone – and global players can also experience a kind of horror they haven't encountered before," noted the development team at AIXLAB.
Before its Steam debut, The Alley won Top 10 at the 2025 STOVE Indie Awards and drew over 2,000 broadcasts from Korean streamers and content creators. Today's new demo features approximately 30 minutes of gameplay and supports Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, Russian, and Korean languages.
Key Features
The Alley is waiting. The demo is free on Steam. Go find what doesn't belong — or lose yourself in a maze that has no end.
MEDIA ASSETS: Press Kit
About AIXLAB
AIXLAB is a small content production company that has been producing horror VR games since 2017. It launched horror VR games such as Haunted House VR and Forbidden Art VR, and won the Korea Game Awards for its realistic environmental representation and experience. With The Alley, the studio makes its debut in PC gaming and has garnered attention for its realistic environments and unique experience.
About Smilegate
Smilegate is a leading global game development and publishing company headquartered in Pangyo, South Korea. Best known as the creator of CROSSFIRE, the world’s most popular first-person shooter with over 1 billion registered players worldwide, Smilegate is committed to delivering world-class entertainment across various genres.
Beyond its flagship title, the company has expanded its portfolio with critically acclaimed games such as Lost Ark, a record-breaking MMORPG, and Epic Seven, a top-tier mobile RPG. Smilegate is also a major player in the global esports scene, hosting the annual Crossfire Stars (CFS) tournament. With a vision of "Creating a world through games and more," the company continues to diversify into media, venture capital, and social contribution through the Smilegate Foundation.
About Thermite Games
Thermite Games is a publishing company behind hit titles such as Tales of the Neon Sea, LONESTAR, House of Legacy, Teatopia, and more. Founded in 2020, Thermite Games consists of young, passionate gamers and industry professionals.
Media Contact
Tyler Gardner
Sandbox Strategies for Thermite Games
tyler@sandboxstrat.com
www.sandboxstrat.com