By Sagar V. Mankar 
The Indie Live Expo Winter Showcase 2024 celebrated the creativity and ingenuity of indie game developers worldwide, and this year’s event had a standout moment when Slay the Princess by Black Tabby Games took home the Grand Prize. With over 100 games featured during the livestream, this event solidified its place as one of the most significant indie game showcases globally.
But first, let’s talk about Slay the Princess, the star of the show.
Slay the Princess: A Cheeky Horror Tragicomedy
Described as a “cheeky horror tragicomedy,” Slay the Princess puts players in a morally complex scenario. You’re tasked with killing a princess locked in a cabin because she’s destined to destroy the world. However, not everything is as it seems.
With branching narratives, fully voiced English dialogue and ten unique endings, the game keeps players on their toes. Choices can transform the princess into various forms, from a demon to a regular princess, changing the story in unexpected ways. Time loops allow players to revisit decisions without restarting, ensuring every path is thoroughly explored.
Originally released in October 2023, the game recently released its extended version, Slay the Princess: The Pristine Cut, on October 24, 2024, on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Daichi Saito, Chief Editor of Indie Live Expo, praised the game, calling it a “magical work” that reminds us why we love video games. Ryuta Konuma, Founder of Ryu’s Office, highlighted how the game embodies the limitless creativity that defines indie games.
Indie Live Expo 2024 Award Winners and Nominees
Grand Prize:
- Winner: Slay the Princess (Black Tabby Games, Serenity Forge)
Best Game Feel Award:
- Cocoon (Geometric Interactive, Annapurna Interactive)
- Winner: Thronefall (GrizzlyGames)
- Dredge (Black Salt Games, Team17)
Best New Characters Award:
- Sanabi (Wonder Potion, Neowiz)
- Winner: Slay the Princess (Black Tabby Games, Serenity Forge)
- Goodbye Volcano High (KO_OP)
Best Short Game Award:
- Balatro (LocalThunk, Playstack)
- Winner: Chants of Sennaar (Rundisc, Focus Entertainment)
- Luck be a Landlord (TrampolineTales)
Rules of Play Award:
- No Case Should Remain Unsolved (Somi)
- Winner: Clickyland (Sokpop Collective)
- Animal Well (Billy Basso, Bigmode)
The Indie Live Expo Winter Showcase
The Winter Showcase didn’t just honor standout games; it highlighted over 100 indie titles during its three-hour livestream. As Asia’s largest indie game broadcast, Indie Live Expo has grown to reach more than 100 million combined viewers across its ten shows.
This year’s highlights included:
- Sofia in Exchange for Lies (MUTAN), a murder mystery adventure.
- Kodansha Ltd.’s lineup featuring Roger, a point-and-click visual novel, and Pararecords, a paranormal branching narrative adventure.
- Publisher Room6’s updates on Pastel☆Parade (a cozy rhythm game) and Undergrounded (a point-and-click RPG).
Since its inception, Indie Live Expo has showcased over 2,750 games, making it a vital platform for indie developers worldwide. With broadcasts in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, it continues to expand its influence, reaching millions of fans annually.
Where to Watch
Catch the full replay of the Indie Live Expo Winter Showcase 2024 on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter/X, and Steam. Don’t miss out on the best the indie gaming scene has to offer!
Source: Noisy Pixel, BleedingCool