[Digital Today reporter Ho-jung Lee] Mimesis, a cooperative horror game by Krafton subsidiary Relu Games, has been recognised for its gameplay in Japan. The game was praised for applying a structure in which AI mimics users’ actions and voices to multiplayer horror.

Relu Games said on Sept. 14 that Mimesis won the multiplayer horror award at the Japan Horror Game Awards. Mimesis was the only Korean game among the overall winners.

The Japan Horror Game Awards is an awards event that evaluates horror direction and play experience of horror games released over the past year. In addition to votes by users, creators and media, judges include producers who took part in developing horror games such as Silent Hill and Siren.

The multiplayer horror award received by Mimesis focuses its main evaluation on the horror experience that occurs while multiple users play together.

Mimesis centres on inserting an AI-based NPC monster into gameplay in which 4 players cooperate. The monster, called Mimesis, imitates not only users’ appearance and actions but also their voices and communication styles, blending in among other players.

As a result, users must continue to check whether the other party is an actual teammate or an AI monster while cooperating. The award cited a game structure that makes cooperation itself a target of suspicion, rather than typical chase- or combat-centred horror.

Mimesis previously won an excellence award in the game design category at the CEDEC Awards 2026, the first Korean game to do so. At the time, a design that directly connected AI technology to game rules and play methods was a key evaluation factor.

Sales momentum has also continued. After being released in early access in October last year, Mimesis reached 1 million in global cumulative sales in 50 days. After its first major update in June, cumulative sales surpassed 2 million. Steam user reviews are currently maintaining a "very positive" rating.

Relu Games CEO Minjeong Kim (김민정) said, "Our efforts to incorporate AI into the game's core structure have been recognised as meaningful at the genre level." She added, "We will continue to present new game experiences that combine technology and planning."