30, Apr. 2026: Merging Games and Breaking the Fourth Wall: Belgian Studio Scoops IGA 2026 Best Innovation Award
No Players Online, an experimental horror title developed by the Belgian three-person studio Beeswax Games, has evolved from a 15-minute Game Jam viral hit in 2019 into a three-hour experience. In the game, players explore an abandoned computer belonging to a former developer, accompanied by a “liminal space” atmosphere and seemingly empty game servers. Featuring the unique “Soul Fusion Mechanic,” players can merge games within the game to create new gameplay and gradually uncover a sorrowful past. The unique atmosphere, combined with a meticulously designed ARG (Alternate Reality Game), has sparked player’s excitement and discussion, successfully breaking the fourth wall. The title has not only received extremely positive reviews from players but also captured the Best Innovation at Indie Game Award 2026 organized by Taipei Game Show. The team emphasized that the award is the ultimate recognition, and they are already working on a new chapter for the game that fans can look forward to.
Evoking the Eeriness of 90s Empty Servers: Virtual Desktop Delivers an Immersive, Open-ended Experience
No Players Online perfectly captures the nostalgic atmosphere of the early internet era. The team noted that they grew up with old-school FPS classics like Counter-Strike and Quake, which heavily influenced the game’s visual style. They expressed their shared experience of being on an empty server in multiplayer games, which always felt a bit eerie. “There’s something off about it; you have the feeling that something is hiding out there, and it’s a bit creepy,” the members remarked. To create this chilling atmosphere, the team intentionally avoided straightforward jump scares, instead incorporating numerous “glitch” elements, including broken shaders, warped textures, and layered dynamic soundtracks to push players’ nerves to the limit.
To better tell this deeply personal and emotional story, the team boldly constructed a complete desktop system within the game. Through this system, players who enjoy narrative can dig deep into private files and clues within the computer folders. Meanwhile, players who prefer horror can go straight into the broken game programs. This open-ended design ensures that every player can find their own way to treasure-hunt through the “abandoned computer.”
Narrative and Soul Fusion Mechanics Intertwined: ARG Blurs the Line Between Reality and Fiction
The team admitted that expanding a short Game Jam project into a three-hour experience was a significant challenge for a three-person studio. To make the protagonist’s computer feel real and lived-in, they invested immense effort into populating it with details. “Making John’s desktop feel alive and real was fun, but it was also a lot of work,” the team emphasized. “This difficulty also allowed us to do a lot of experimental and innovative things.” Beyond atmosphere, the game features the original “Soul Fusion Mechanic,” where players merge different games to create new gameplay. In the process of fusion, they gradually explore the deeper story behind the games, seamlessly tying innovation to the narrative.
Furthermore, the ARG tightly linked with No Players Online further breaks the fourth wall. The team cleverly hid key clues in inconspicuous corners throughout the game. Despite the title suggesting “no players online,” the game has actually brought together players from around the world to solve its mysteries. The team admitted that the ARG was designed over time together with the game’s development, but seeing the community’s passion for puzzle-solving and its overall cohesion was a pleasant surprise.
Regarding the award, the team vibrantly stated that they have always seen their games as more of an art form than just a game and tried many new things in this project; thus, winning is a massive affirmation. Currently, the team is actively preparing extra surprises for No Players Online. While they cannot share details yet, they emphasized that “there’s more in store for the game, that’s for sure!” For the full video interview, visit the Taipei Game Show official YouTube channel. For more updates, please stay tuned to the team’s official website.
