Set within the unsettling walls of a mysterious cult known as HOPE, NAME OF THE WILL casts players as Neighbor 3279, a newcomer whose curiosity threatens to expose the group’s darkest secrets. Every interaction is monitored through HOPE’s strict Conduct System, where even minor acts of defiance count toward a seven-strike limit. Maintaining appearances means participating in education courses, interrogations, unsettling rituals, and even voting on which member will become the day’s victim, with player decisions shaping both the story and its multiple endings.

When night falls, survival becomes even more dangerous. Players must evade the cult’s terrifying Benevolent Father as he stalks the compound while secretly exploring forbidden areas hidden behind the organization’s carefully crafted facade. Throughout the journey, clues, diary entries, and fragmented memories slowly reveal both the origins of HOPE and the personal trauma haunting Neighbor 3279.

The story explores themes of conformity, morality, and free will through a fully hand-drawn visual style inspired by Buddhist concepts of shared karma. Rather than relying on traditional jump scares, the horror comes from the constant psychological pressure to obey, fit in, and suppress individual thought. The experience is further enhanced by an atmospheric soundtrack composed by hirsk, known for producing award-winning instrumental work inspired by the sounds of Hong Kong.

Zeitgeist Studio’s Mandy Wong, co-founder and creative director, said the game’s horror is rooted in the emotional weight of resisting conformity rather than monsters or sudden scares. She added that partnering with HYPER REAL has allowed the team’s passion project to grow into something much larger, and they are excited to introduce it to horror fans during gamescom 2026.

NAME OF THE WILL is scheduled to launch on PC via Steam in early 2027 with support for English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, French, Russian, Ukrainian, and Latin American Spanish.