Taipei Game Show has named the 45 finalists for Indie Game Award 2027, chosen from a record 731 entries across 53 countries and regions. Winners across eight categories including the Grand Prix will be revealed at Taipei Game Show, which runs January 21 to 24, 2027.
Quick Facts
What: Indie Game Award 2027 finalist lineup
Entries: 731 games from 53 countries and regions
Finalists: 45 teams from 20 countries and regions
Categories: Eight awards including the Grand Prix
Winners showcase: Taipei Game Show, January 21 to 24, 2027 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1
Record entry field sets up the 2027 race
This year competition runs in collaboration with PlayStation and drew more than 40 percent more entries than last year. Teams from Belarus and Madagascar entered for the first time, which pushed the country and region count to 53. Every entry was reviewed by a jury of game industry experts, professional media members and content creators from Taiwan and abroad. The full lineup is published on the official Indie Game Award 2027 finalist list.
The scale matters because the award has become one of the main discovery stages for independent games in Asia. A record pool means the 45 advancing teams survived a deeper cut than in any prior year. Judges scored entries across narrative, audio, visual art, design, innovation, social impact and student work before settling the final round slate.
Breakout finalists to watch
Several finalists already carry strong reputations. Japan rhythm action title Ratatan from Ratata Arts raised more than JPY 219 million in crowdfunding during development and now contests Best Audio. Thailand hidden object game Lost and Found Co. from Bit Egg Inc. pairs classic search gameplay with character stories and office decoration, and it earned overwhelmingly positive player feedback before reaching the final in Best Audio.
Brazil entry GHOSTLESS from Coffeenauts appears in both Best Narrative and Best Social Impact with a story that reflects on AI development, human identity, technology ethics and trust. The United States entry NAME OF THE WILL from Zeitgeist Studio also spans both categories as a hand drawn psychological horror adventure. Canada entry ERF from Hadrian Lin is a double finalist in Best Narrative and Best Audio.
Poland studio Fumi Games placed MOUSE: P.I. For Hire in both Best Audio and Best Visual Art with its black and white cartoon noir shooter style. Japan entry DEATH A LIVE from Rabbit Trigger did the same double across those two audio and art categories. China entry LOP: Whitefall from TU Studio reached the final in both Best Design and Best Innovation.
Taiwan developers hold their own at home
Ten Taiwanese teams advanced to the final phase, the strongest home showing in the field. OPUS: Prism Peak from SIGONO leads the group with three nominations across Best Narrative, Best Audio and Best Visual Art, and it has drawn praise from international press for its emotional story and refined art. Rubinite from CUP DOG GAMES reached Best Design and attracted interest from a prominent Taiwanese venture capital fund. Selfie Worm from Straight Banana reached Best Innovation after selection for Tokyo Game Show Selected Indie 80 and a Sense of Wonder Night finalist nod.
Other home finalists include Far Realm from Cabbroge in Best Narrative, Estella from Imanity Co. Ltd. in Best Audio, Into The Haunted Land from Psychoflow Studio in Best Visual Art, Gaia Ritual from SbookyGames and Superbird from Wild Motion Design in Best Innovation, plus Syntax:Overload from Tallen games and SLAVE CARD from Bunny Beats in Best Student Game. The spread across six categories shows range beyond a single genre or studio.
What happens next at Taipei Game Show 2027
Winners will be selected across the eight award categories and showcased at Taipei Game Show from January 21 to 24, 2027, with hands on demos at the Indie Game Award 2027 Winner Pavilion inside INDIE HOUSE. The business zone runs January 21 to 22 while the public zones including INDIE HOUSE and Board Game Wonderland run through January 24. Full event details are on the official Taipei Game Show site.
Taipei Game Show also keeps building bridges for Taiwanese studios beyond the award. Organizers say they helped 35 Taiwanese indie studios exhibit at events in Japan, Brazil, South Korea and Canada this year, with more delegations planned for Thailand, Lithuania and Canada. INDIE HOUSE exhibitor registration moves to the waitlist stage on October 21, so studios chasing a booth face a firm deadline.
For players, the finalist list doubles as an early watchlist. Past editions have surfaced games that went on to wider commercial releases, so the 45 names above deserve attention before the January showcase. Expect winner announcements and demo impressions to follow once the show opens.
How many games entered Indie Game Award 2027
The 2027 edition drew 731 entries from 53 countries and regions, up more than 40 percent from last year. First time entrants included teams from Belarus and Madagascar.
How many finalists advanced and where are they from
45 teams from 20 countries and regions advanced to the final round. The regions span Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China, Poland, Italy, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, Israel, the United States, Australia, India, Argentina, Czech Republic, Cyprus, France, Germany and Hong Kong.
When and where winners will be revealed
Winners across eight categories including the Grand Prix will be showcased at Taipei Game Show from January 21 to 24, 2027 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1, with hands on demos at the Winner Pavilion inside INDIE HOUSE.
Where to see the full Indie Game Award 2027 finalist list
The complete category by category lineup is on the official Indie Game Award 2027 finalist list, and show information is on the official Taipei Game Show site.
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