SmileGate Launches Korean Horror Game 'Back Alley: Spirit Mark' on Steam Global

SmileGate, in collaboration with developer AIXLAB and publisher Thermite Games, has officially launched the Korean psychological horror game 'Back Alley: Spirit Mark' (hereafter 'Back Alley') on the global market via Steam. This marks nearly nine months after its initial domestic release through the company's indie game platform 'Stove' in October 2023. The global version features extensive updates and leverages Steam's global reach to target international audiences. 'Back Alley' immerses players as protagonist So-yeon navigating a distorted familiar back alley, blending realistic graphics with Korean-specific elements like narrow alleys and everyday sounds to amplify psychological horror. The gameplay uniquely combines Korean occult elements, requiring players to use only a smartphone to capture anomalies and discern between supernatural 'Spirit Marks' and explainable 'Ghostly Whispers' through a system where answers are verified via messages to a mystic grandmother figure. The global version incorporates user feedback to enhance gameplay, including revised level structures, expanded save points, and refined difficulty balance. Additional features like a new 'Epilogue Mode' and expanded storytelling elements further enrich the experience, supported by six language options including Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian.