Smilegate Orange Planet Startup Foundation (Center Director Seo Sang-bong), in partnership with the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency (President Kim Tae-yeol), announced on Friday, April 4, that they hosted the 5th Busan Game Developer Conference at the Busan Global Game Center. The event drew significant attention from the local gaming industry, with over 120 attendees, including developers and professionals from across the region.
Empowering Local Developers with Industry Insight
Organized by Orange Planet’s Busan Center, the conference aims to support the skill development of local game creators and foster knowledge sharing within the Busan game ecosystem. This year’s edition focused on 2025 game industry trends and the PC and console game markets.
The Smilegate Megaport Trend Analysis Team shared insights into projected industry changes in 2025 and offered strategic guidance for business growth.
CFK, a leading Korean console publisher, presented actionable strategies for developers considering expansion into the console game market, while XL Games discussed PC game development techniques and offered practical growth tips tailored to small-scale studios.
BIC Festival Briefing & Developer Networking
The event also featured a briefing session on the upcoming Busan Indie Connect Festival (BIC), scheduled for August, providing developers with detailed information about exhibition programs and registration procedures.
Following the conference, a networking session allowed local game studios to present demos and actively exchange feedback, fostering a vibrant developer community.
A Platform for Regional Growth and Collaboration
Orange Planet Busan continues to strengthen the local game development ecosystem through a variety of initiatives, including:
- University developer camps
- Startup mentoring programs
- Peer mentoring across partner studios
Notably, the conference was emceed by Kim Yoon-soo, CEO of ZombieMate, the studio behind the hit mobile game “Nyangspar” (with over 10 million global downloads), which was supported by Orange Planet. His involvement added a meaningful layer of peer-to-peer communication and inspiration for local developers.
Official Statement
Seo Sang-bong, Director of Orange Planet Busan, stated:
“This year’s conference was tailored to align with the latest industry trends for 2025, providing valuable insights to regional developers. We will continue to create platforms that foster communication and help local creators grow into globally competitive studios.”
