Zeitgeist Studio has revealed a new cinematic trailer for NAME OF THE WILL, its unsettling cult-themed horror mystery, during IGN Live @ Gamescom. The upcoming PC title explores conformity, psychological control and the consequences of resisting an authoritarian community built around a mysterious figure known as the Benevolent Father.
Published by HYPER REAL, NAME OF THE WILL is scheduled to launch on Steam in early 2027. A playable demo is currently available, while Gamescom 2026 attendees can experience previously unseen content at the Indie Arena Booth in Hall 10.2.
NAME OF THE WILL Introduces the Disturbing World of HOPE
At the centre of NAME OF THE WILL is HOPE, an organization operating from a 34-storey facility known as Reformation.
Players assume the role of Neighbor 3279, a new arrival expected to suppress emotions, maintain an ever-present smile and follow a strict set of behavioural rules. The game takes place across seven days, during which the protagonist must navigate the increasingly disturbing expectations imposed by HOPE and its followers.
The organization promotes the teachings of the Benevolent Father, presenting emotional suffering, physical pain and even death through a distorted philosophy of personal improvement and enlightenment.
The new Gamescom trailer provides a closer look at this environment and the psychological pressure facing Neighbor 3279.
Daytime Conformity and Nighttime Investigation Shape Gameplay
Gameplay is divided between activities performed during the day and more secretive exploration after dark.
During daylight hours, Neighbor 3279 must appear to conform to HOPE’s rules. That includes attending educational courses, completing questionnaires and participating in community activities while carefully monitoring words and behaviour.
Followers also keep watch over one another, creating an environment where suspicious actions could have serious consequences.
One recurring activity is the selection of the “Star of the Day.” Although HOPE presents the honour as a reward, the chosen individual may instead face painful Reformation rituals disguised as special blessings.
Players Can Explore HOPE’s Hidden Areas After Dark
Nightfall changes the nature of the experience.
Players can secretly investigate restricted “Backstage” sections of the Reformation facility, searching for information about the origins of HOPE and the circumstances that brought Neighbor 3279 into the organization.
Exploration carries additional risks because the Benevolent Father patrols the facility’s halls.
Neighbor 3279 can also develop relationships with other residents who have begun questioning HOPE. Diary entries scattered throughout the environment provide further clues about the protagonist’s past and the larger mystery surrounding the organization.
These discoveries are expected to gradually reveal the truth behind HOPE while giving players a clearer understanding of the people trapped inside its system.
Hand-Drawn Horror Meets Hong Kong-Inspired Sound Design
Zeitgeist Studio describes NAME OF THE WILL as a “daylight horror” experience, distinguishing it from horror games that rely primarily on dark environments and conventional nighttime scares.
Its hand-drawn visual direction contrasts bright surroundings with disturbing subject matter, using ordinary-looking environments to reinforce the unease surrounding HOPE’s rules and rituals.
The game’s audio direction also draws from Hong Kong. Composer hirsk is contributing a soundtrack featuring abstract interpretations of Hong Kong soundscapes, adding another layer to the game’s distinctive presentation.
Steam Release Planned for Early 2027
NAME OF THE WILL is scheduled to arrive on PC through Steam in early 2027.
The full game is planned to support English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, French, Russian, Ukrainian and Latin American Spanish.
The currently available Steam demo includes English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, French and Latin American Spanish language support.
With its combination of psychological horror, social surveillance, exploration and narrative mystery, NAME OF THE WILL is positioning conformity itself as a central source of tension. Its latest Gamescom appearance offers another look at how Zeitgeist Studio intends to turn the seemingly welcoming halls of HOPE into an environment where following the rules may be almost as disturbing as breaking them.
Nicholas Sparks is an award-winning American writer whose bestselling novels have captivated readers for decades. Renowned for his emotional storytelling and timeless themes of love and hope, he remains one of the most influential authors in modern romance literature.
