The Alley news & patch notes

Hello everyone!

We would like to inform you that we have fixed the following issues.

• Fixed an issue where some achievements would not unlock

• Improved visibility for certain puzzles

• Revised awkward text and added hints

Known Issues

We have confirmed that a Fatal Error occasionally occurs when applying upscaling in the graphics options,

or when applying 4K resolution on low-end (non-RTX) graphics cards.

It is taking some time to identify the exact cause of this issue.

We will do our best to fix it as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Hello everyone!

We would like to inform you that we have fixed an identified issue.

We have identified and fixed an issue where the game did not start in the correct language upon the first launch on Simplified and Traditional Chinese operating systems. However, if you have already launched the game at least once, this fix will only apply if you delete your save data. In this case, we kindly ask you to change the language manually in the settings.

Known Issues

We have confirmed that a Fatal Error occasionally occurs when applying upscaling in the graphics options, or when applying 4K resolution on low-end (non-RTX) graphics cards. We will prepare an update to fix this as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Hi everyone!

Our first-person psychological horror game The Alley is now out on Steam for $8.99, with a special limited-time 10% launch discount!

If you've played the demo, you've probably already gotten the hang of the unique mechanic, using your phone to detect anomalies. In the full version that's just been released, we’ve packed in even more content to crank the horror all the way up:

The complete playthrough lasts around 4 to 5 hours, with a total of 64 suspicious phenomena scattered throughout the deep, shadowy alley. Every observation matters. Carefully spot every single irregularity, and you will follow the clues and gradually uncover the secrets buried in the alley. But make just one wrong call, and the ghost lurking in the dark will start creeping closer.

What's more, as you explore this restless and cursed alley, you'll constantly be torn between fleeing and turning back, trapped in an endless loop. Will you really break the loop and escape this sinister alley for good? Everything is still unknown. The protagonist's fate hinges on every choice you make.

We have always believed that the most haunting fear is not found in distant, unfamiliar worlds, but hidden within ordinary daily life. A street walked alone at night, a phone casually picked up...These are the most ordinary things. But the moment something unspeakably strange grows out of these familiar scenes, that jarring, unnerving sense of alienation is exactly the unique horror experience we want to present.

We can't wait for you to step into The Alley and experience it for yourself. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings in the community. If you run into any bugs or have suggestions for improvements, don't hesitate to share them with us through the questionnaire. We'd love to hear from you!

In addition, as a thank-you for all your patience and excitement, we've put together several horror bundles available right now with an extra discount for a limited time!

Dread Flats：

Scarlet Idol：

Dread Neighbor：

The Bridge Curse Road to Salvation：

The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication：

Who's at the door?：

The Scourge：

Once again, thank you all so much for your support!

X：https://x.com/TheAlley_AIXLAB

Discord：https://discord.gg/VdcxpXVsEZ

Youtube：

Hi everyone,

After months of hard work and fine-tuning, we’re beyond excited to finally announce: The Alley is coming to Steam on July 24th at 12 AM (PDT)!

This is an immersive, first-person psychological horror game set in the unsettling, maze-like back alleys of Korea. You’ll find yourself trapped in an endless, looping nightmare, with nothing but your smartphone camera to keep you alive...

What you’ll face in the dark:

• Trust Your Lens: Use your camera to distinguish between “Ghost Traces” (supernatural anomalies) and mere “Ghost Feints” (distractions that could cost you your life).

• Deep Atmospheric Horror: Inspired by Korean folk tales, the game builds a unique, suffocating atmosphere that will keep you constantly looking over your shoulder.

• Heart-Pounding Chases: When you hear unsettling noises, don't just run but observe your surroundings. Sometimes, the only way to survive is to turn around and capture the truth before it catches you.

• A Recursive Maze: Every corner is a gamble. Uncover the secrets hidden in the shadows and break the loop before you become a permanent part of the alley.

We’ve loved hearing your feedback so far, and we can’t wait to see how you handle the horrors that await.

Ready to step into the alley? Make sure to add it to your Wishlist so you’re the first to know the moment we go live.

We’ll see you there on July 24th!

To our fellow horror enthusiasts,

We are thrilled to announce that The Alley is officially participating in the June Steam Next Fest! While our public demo has been available for a few weeks, we are incredibly excited to welcome a wider global audience to step into our nightmare.

The event runs from June 15th, 10:00 AM PT to June 22nd, 10:00 AM PT.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who stepped into The Alley when we first released the demo. Over the past month, we have been reading and carefully noting every single piece of feedback. Your support and expectations have been our driving force, and we are working hard to polish every detail to ensure the final experience is as terrifying as it gets.

Haven't entered the alley yet? Now is the perfect time:

• The Maze: Wander through a hyper-realistic, chillingly authentic Korean alleyway where the mundane becomes macabre.

• The Truth or the Lie: Use your phone camera to distinguish between \ (supernatural anomalies) and \ (disturbing but plausible real-world incidents). One wrong choice could be your last.

• The Warning: Your grandmother’s shaman bracelet is your only lifeline. When it glows, you’re not alone—the entity is closing in.

• Don't Look Back: When you feel a presence behind you... just RUN.

The Alley is still evolving. If you haven’t already, please Wishlist the game—it is the single greatest way to support our small team and help more players discover this nightmare.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and see your most terrifying screenshots in our community hub. See you in the alley!

X：https://x.com/TheAlley_AIXLAB

Discord：https://discord.gg/VdcxpXVsEZ

Youtube：

Late classes are finally over?

You've walked that alley a hundred times.

But tonight… something feels off.

Hello, horror fans.

We’re genuinely excited to tell you that the free demo for The Alley is now live on Steam.

If you're ready for that feeling of “the familiar suddenly turning strange” – step into this eerie alley. Experience first-person psychological horror for yourself.

Here's what's waiting in the demo:

• Explore an endless maze built from real Korean alleyway details

• Use your camera to spot and judge Ghost Traces (the impossible) vs. Ghost Feints (the weird – but possibly real)

• Watch the glow of your shaman grandmother's bracelet. It knows when the ghost is near.

• Run. Don't look back. The ghost is already following.

A quick note on the demo:

The game is still being polished. If you run into anything weird (bug-weird, not ghost-weird) – or just want to tell us what you think –please reach out to us by filling out the feedback survey. We're listening!

If you like what you see in The Alley –

please wishlist the game and tell a friend!

Your support is what helps us bring the full story of this alley to life.

X：https://x.com/TheAlley_AIXLAB

Discord：https://discord.gg/VdcxpXVsEZ

Youtube：

Play the latest Game and check out Taipei Game Show 2026–exclusive goodies!

Find 〈The Alley〉at the STOVE Booth and experience the game firsthand.

·    Date: Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026

·    Venue: Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1

·    Booth: A16

Get early access to the upcoming demo!

Hello, this is AIXLAB.

We have prepared a series of development logs looking back at the creation of The Alley. Our first story is about building the titular alley, the very starting point of our game.

After deciding on an alley as our setting, our goal was not to replicate a specific location. Instead, we aimed to reconstruct common shapes and characteristics of everyday alleys to create a sense of familiarity, even if it lacked distinct uniqueness.

We began by testing the basic framework of the alley using simple geometric shapes in the game engine. We focused on whether the space felt too cramped or, conversely, too wide, which might reduce the sense of tension.

As we built the initial blockout and conducted playtests, more fundamental elements began to stand out. While keeping the walls and paths simple, we repeatedly adjusted corners and dead ends to ensure the space felt realistic. We then developed a high-quality demo space to refine a specific section of the environment.

With ongoing research, we defined the details, atmosphere, and sense of space. We initially constructed a 50m x 25m area and focused on capturing the right feeling for the narrower sections.

Our research included visiting well-known alleys, observing daily commutes, and referencing various image and video materials, including YouTubers who specialize in exploring alleys. From these references, we selected elements that were both efficient to implement and effective in creating the right atmosphere.

Once the structure was finalized, we added lighting, surfaces, and props to the same locations. We intentionally avoided making things look too organized. In Korean alleys, a slightly disarrayed look feels more natural.

We didn't treat surfaces like floors and walls as mere decoration; we wanted the player to feel it was Korea without needing an explanation. We photographed common sidewalk patterns found in Korea to create the floor textures and based posters and other wall elements on real-life scenes.

In the restaurant district, we wanted to capture a lived-in feel with AC units, flower pots, beer crates, and trash bags left out after business hours.

In contrast, residential areas featured items like old clothing bins and delivery boxes to show the flow of daily life. We crafted these unique assets with care, sometimes utilizing scan data.

At the end of alleys or just out of direct sight, we added elements like murals, construction barriers, and redevelopment slogans. We wanted to leave an impression that this place was built over a long period.

These objects are background elements that let players naturally sense how people live in this alley.

We hope the space in The Alley is something players gradually absorb as they walk through it. This log summarized our starting point and the criteria for making it feel like a real Korean alley.

In the next entry, we will talk about the supernatural phenomena and gameplay mechanics.

If you like The Alley, please add it to your Steam Wishlist.

Thank you.

Hello, this is AIXLAB

We are excited to announce that we will be participating in \, held in Taipei for three days starting December 12th!

This participation will be featured under the theme 'STOVE PLAY TOUR' in collaboration with Smilegate. We invite you to visit our booth with the excitement of traveling into a game world.

At the venue, you can play the demo of the latest version of our game. We have also prepared various events and limited-edition goods for our booth visitors. We look forward to bringing you joyful memories and hands full of gifts at the Taipei Expo Dome.

To all our users in Taipei, we hope to see you there! 👋

📅 Event Information

Date: December 12 (Fri) ~ December 14 (Sun)

Location: Taipei Expo Dome

Booth: Smilegate STOVE Booth

Hello, this is AIXLAB.

Today, we are thrilled to unveil our project, 《The Alley》, to you for the very first time.

Looking back from the moment we started this project until now, we asked ourselves:

"Why did we embark on this journey?"

For us, the answer came down to one word: uncanniness.

Horror games often rely on unfamiliar settings or imaginary monsters to build atmosphere.

But we believe true terror lies closer to home—in those moments when a familiar space suddenly feels alien. The walk home late at night. A dark, quiet alleyway. The eerie sensation that someone is watching you, even in a place you know so well. We wanted to capture that exact feeling of "strangeness within the mundane."

As a Korean team, our top priority was "to accurately recreate a Korean alleyway." We integrated familiar actions—using a smartphone camera, texting, taking photos—directly into the gameplay. The specific noises, the presence, and the heavy silence of an alley that every Korean knows... We meticulously designed these details to make players question: "This looks like the alley I know, but why does it feel so wrong?"

For those who are not Korean, we believe this will offer a unique atmosphere distinct from typical horror games, serving as a window into the deep-seated sentiments of Korean culture. 《The Alley》 is not about jump scares. It is a game designed to deliver a horror where you must judge and observe to move forward. To escape this alley, you don't need courage; you need "a discerning eye."

Not all phenomena you encounter here are supernatural. While there are impossible anomalies, they are mixed with realistic pranks or natural occurrences.

The problem is, if you fail to distinguish between them, the ghost finds a crack to enter.

Players must raise their smartphones, capture entities visible only through the lens, and decide:

"Is this physically possible?" or "Is this generally impossible?"A total of 68 types of anomalies will test your judgment.

The essence of horror isn't a sudden loud noise—it's the psychological uncertainty that makes you whisper, "Wait… was that actually possible?"

We may be a small studio, but we were relentless in pursuing the fine details of fear. We present to you the result of our serious exploration into the fear created by the 'uncanniness' overlaid on reality. From screen reflections on the smartphone and flickering streetlights to the pattern of footsteps and ambient noise— We iterated countless times to ensure that even the smallest elements maintain your tension and immersion.

Designing a narrow space with high density to create intense psychological pressure— This is the "Korean style of horror" our team pursues.《The Alley》 is the culmination of that experiment and clearly demonstrates the direction of horror we aim to create.

That is all for today’s introduction. Starting next time, we will dive deeper into the details. Dev logs, Art Direction, System explanations, and the backstory behind each anomaly— We plan to share these updates regularly.

If 《The Alley》 has intrigued you, please add it to your Wishlist. Your single click is a huge support for our small team.

Thank you.