Neowiz has moved to expand its intellectual property lineup by securing global distribution rights for a new PC role-playing game being produced by a South Korean indie developer.

Neowiz said on Monday it signed a publishing agreement for Sain Nuts Studio’s narrative computer role-playing game (CRPG) 'Wind Up Deadman'.

The new title is set in a “cassette futurism” world that combines 1980s analogue devices such as cassette tapes with futuristic imagination. It follows Zephyr, a protagonist who loses his memory after a bio-disaster, as he tracks his past actions from a container tower in the desert while entrusting his soul to a robot. The game features text-heavy depictions of inner psychology and pixel art graphics, emphasising a retro sensibility.

Developer Sain Nuts Studio previously proved its game quality when its earlier mobile game 'Metro Blossom' was selected for the top 10 at the Google Play Indie Game Festival in 2021. It also has experience expanding IP through publication of a spin-off novel for the game.

Neowiz said it plans to develop 'Wind Up Deadman' into a global IP capable of long-term growth by applying publishing know-how from million-selling indie games it previously made successful, including 'Skul' and 'Shape of Dreams'.

A Neowiz official said, "Through this partnership, we will deliver the deep narrative and role-playing fun that 'Wind Up Deadman' offers to gamers around the world." The official added, "Going forward, Neowiz will continue efforts to secure original IP that deepens in value over time."