Korea’s leading indie game festival launches full-scale support programs with focus on global expansion
By IndieGame.com Editorial Desk | June 25, 2025
Seongnam City, in collaboration with Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) and the Korea Mobile Game Association (KMGA), officially launched the 2025 IndieCraft with the inauguration of its organizing committee on June 24, marking the beginning of its comprehensive indie game support programs.
Celebrating its 7th edition this year, IndieCraft has become a flagship indie game initiative in South Korea since its inception in 2019. The event identifies and supports outstanding indie game developers through offline exhibitions, prize funding, commercialization support, and a growing emphasis on practical support for global expansion.
The inaugural event was held at Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Pangyo, where seven key figures from Korea’s gaming industry were appointed as organizing committee members. The committee will play an essential role in advising on program operations, fostering institutional partnerships, and strengthening strategies for global market entry.
Highlights of the Inaugural Ceremony
The event featured:
- A welcome speech by SIPA Director and Co-Chair Lee Eui-joon
- The 2025 IndieCraft program briefing
- Official committee member appointments
- The first advisory board meeting
During the program briefing, a new initiative called the Global IR Acceleration Program, launched in partnership with global solutions firm Xsolla, drew particular attention. The program will provide selected developers the opportunity to pitch their IR decks directly to international publishers and investors, offering tangible support for entering the global market.
Seven committee members received official appointments during the ceremony. Lee Taek-soo, Chairman of the Korea Game Media Association, stated,
“I’m honored to serve as a committee member and will fully support the successful operation of IndieCraft.”
Strategic Planning for IndieCraft’s Growth
The first advisory meeting followed, with discussions focused on improving the overall quality of the event, enhancing developer support systems, and increasing the global competitiveness of Korean indie games.
Lee Eui-joon, Director of SIPA and Co-Chair of IndieCraft, emphasized,
“IndieCraft is a collaborative effort built by experts across various fields. We believe this is more than just an event—it is a turning point for Korea’s indie game ecosystem. Seongnam will continue to be a reliable partner in driving that change.”
Hwang Sung-ik, Chairman of KMGA and Co-Chair of IndieCraft, added,
“We’re committed to establishing IndieCraft as a practical launchpad for indie developers pursuing global success. We ask for your continued interest and participation in this year’s event.”
Upcoming Networking Event on June 27
On Friday, June 27, a private networking event—the 2025 IndieCraft Networking Day—will be held in Pangyo. It will bring together the TOP 50 teams, TOP 20 university challengers, and over 120 industry professionals. The agenda includes industry expert seminars, developer showcases, awards for top developers, and structured networking programs.
For more information, visit the official IndieCraft website.
