Three Unique Indie Games That Lit Up Burning Beaver 2024 2025-01-08

From November 29 to December 1, 2024 ‘Burning Beaver 2024’, a festival for indie game creators and enthusiasts, was held at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul. A total of 83 creative teams participated, each showcasing indie games with unique characteristics that captured the attention of visitors.

So, which indie games captured the spotlight this year? Newsroom team visited Burning Beaver and selected three standout titles that earned glowing reviews from attendees: “Sohee,” an interactive game by Team Anemone that explores emotions in everyday moments; “Fakebook” by Team Banjihagames, a detective adventure about uncovering secrets of friends and family while gaining followers; and “Nqc: Non Qualia Character” by Team TARP Studio, which follows the story of a protagonist who becomes a being within a virtual network.

Team: Banjihagames / Game Title: Fakebook

A Detective Adventure Game Set on a Fictional Social Media

Story: “Fakebook” is a detective adventure game set on a fictional SNS platform. Players must investigate the death of their sister, who took her own life after being falsely accused of defaming a national idol. Operate a “cyber leaker” account, gather followers, and use your influence to expose the truth!

Highlights: Enjoy a thrilling process of tracking down clues hidden in fictional social media posts and accounts to uncover the truth behind your sister’s death. The game’s highly realistic posts and visuals, created by generative AI, enhance immersion by mimicking real-life social media. Bonus points for the memes and parodies embedded throughout the game—they’re a highlight in themselves.

Team: Anemone / Game Title: Sohee

An Emotional Adventure Game About Overcoming Despair and Finding Hope

Story: “Sohee” is a 2D pixel-art adventure game that stands out for its warm atmosphere and emotional narrative. The story delicately portrays the protagonist’s journey through unexpected pregnancy, heartbreak, and personal growth. Particularly notable is how the game captures the subtle nuances of everyday emotions. The title and protagonist’s name, “Sohee,” means “to hope and hope again.”

Highlights: The game’s simplicity—playable with just a few clicks—makes it highly accessible. In her journey, Sohee faces life’s twists and turns, making meaningful decisions like taking responsibility for a new life and reconciling with estranged family. Despite the hardships, the game delivers a message of hope. Its cozy 2D pixel art, delicate visual direction, and emotionally stirring music draw players even deeper into the story.

Team – TARP Studio / Title – Nqc: Non Qualia Character

An adventure game where a human, now an NPC, searches for their true self

Story: “Nqc” unfolds a unique story built around the concept of duplicating human brain data. The player becomes a “connectome,” a copy of a human named Tris’s brain, and explores “ANTAGONIST,” a game inhabited by self-aware NPCs. Will you be able to recover your lost memories and return to the real world?

Highlights: The storyline and endings change depending on the player's choices, making it an interactive experience. The multidimensional setting enhances the joy of exploring a vast world and discovering hidden elements. Its blend of 2D and 3D visuals offers a unique aesthetic, while the fast-paced, action-based combat delivers intense excitement.

nterview

Q. How was your experience participating in Burning Beaver 2024?

A. Banjiha Games_ This was our team’s first time participating in Burning Beaver, and it was a truly special experience. Since it was held at DDP, right in the heart of Seoul, the accessibility was excellent, allowing us to meet and interact directly with a wide range of users, which made it more meaningful.

TARP Studio_ This is our third time participating, and we can see that the event continues to improve each year. Most of all, it was personally rewarding to see visitors genuinely enjoying our game.

Anemone_ It was an honour to showcase our game alongside other teams who have created amazing titles. Participating in Burning Beaver gave us fresh motivation to push ourselves further and make even better games.

Visitors enjoying games at the Banjiha Games booth

Q. How did participating in Burning Beaver 2024 help your team?

A. Anemone - We were impressed by how visitors could play our game directly and immediately give feedback. That kind of on-site energy was a big motivator for our team. Also, the fellow creators exhibiting alongside us offered support and advice like family, which made the entire event feel warm and encouraging.

A. TARP Studio - As an indie developer, we’re always eager for user feedback. Having players discover bugs and share suggestions while playing the game firsthand is incredibly helpful for improvement.

A. Banjiha Games - Thanks to the users who played our game and left vivid reviews, we were able to improve it significantly. More than anything, showcasing our game to so many attendees gave us a strong sense of motivation.

아네모네 팀과 부스에서 게임을 즐기는 관람객들

Q. Could you share a memorable reaction from a visitor?

A. Anemone - On the first day, a male visitor came to our booth and got teary-eyed while playing "Sohee." Since the main character is a female college student, we didn’t expect male players to relate as deeply. But watching him get emotional made us realise our game could also resonate emotionally with male players.

Banjiha Games - Before launching Fakebook, we ran a crowdfunding campaign with around 2,000 backers. Seeing those backers enjoying the game at the event and saying things like, “It feels like I was part of the development,” left a lasting impression.

TARP Studio - There was a player recording the screen while playing our game on their phone. When we asked why, they said they wanted to save a memorable scene to review it and share it with others. Knowing that our game left such a strong impression made me feel proud as a developer.

타르프 스튜디오 팀과 부스에서 게임을 즐기는 관람객들

Q. Lastly, is there a message you'd like to share with indie game players?

A. Banjiha Games - Burning Beaver offers many opportunities for direct interaction with creators. Through these conversations, you can better understand a game's message or intent and enjoy it even more. We hope visitors keep this in mind and fully enjoy what Burning Beaver has to offer.

A. TARP Studio - Indie games are a unique form of creation where developers and players share values and grow together. The warm support and interest from players are a huge driving force for us. We're truly grateful for the meaningful interactions we had with so many people at Burning Beaver. We’ll continue to grow with you and make even better games!

A. Anemone - Developing an indie game is like going on an adventure. No one knows how it will end, but what truly matters is that the interest and support from players provide great strength throughout the journey. We hope you'll continue to show love for indie games.