■ Any creator preparing to start an indie game development company or with business experience can apply.
■ First introduction of the ‘Peer Learning Project’ from the 16th SGM, improving the game by sharing feedback among participants
Smilegate Future Lab (hereinafter referred to as ‘Future Lab’) announced on the 17th that it will conduct recruitment for the 16th ‘Smilegate Membership (hereinafter referred to as ‘SGM’) Indie Game Division’ until May 16th.
The SGM Indie Game Division is a program designed to discover and foster indie game creators with entrepreneurship capabilities. Any developer (or team) preparing to start an indie game development company or having experience starting an indie game development company can receive and submit an application form on the Future Lab website.
The 16th batch of SGM Indie Game Division will be selected through the first document screening and second interview. Selected teams can attend this year’s Burning Beaver event after going through orientation, open beta day peer learning project, etc. The graduation ceremony is scheduled for December 13 this year.
In particular, starting this year, the ‘Peer Learning Project’ was introduced, in which participants experience the games of 2 to 3 teams together, provide reviews, and exchange feedback. Through the peer learning project, participants can analyze games under development from the perspective of colleagues developing games together and seek ways to improve them.
Future Lab provides various benefits to the 16th SGM Indie Game Division participants. First, we provide creative support (2 million won per person, up to 4 people per team) and space to focus on development. There will also be an opportunity to collect user feedback during the open beta day. In addition, we have prepared a privilege to participate in the indie game & culture festival Burning Beaver 2024 and set up a booth.
Future Lab team leader Joo-hoon Hwang said, “SGM, first introduced in 2010, is Smilegate’s representative creative program that supports young creators in completing their content and even taking on the challenge of starting a business.” He added, “Networking, “We support various benefits such as user feedback, and we look forward to receiving a lot of support, especially as a new peer learning project with colleagues was established this year.”
