- In collaboration with Neowiz, the “Advanced K-Game Academy” program is being launched to foster practical talent for indie game startups.
- A total of 1,295 hours of free training, focusing on practical training in all areas of planning, development, graphics, team projects, and portfolios.
- Differentiated follow-up support for graduates in employment and entrepreneurship, distribution, exhibitions, and networking.
The Korea Indie Game Association (KIGMA) is launching the “Advanced K-Game Academy” in partnership with Neowiz, MBC Academy Computer Education Center, and the Korea Radio Promotion Association to discover and nurture future leaders in the indie game industry. This initiative, part of the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s K-Digital Training Leading Company Academy, is expected to be the first step for the association to establish a leading talent development platform in the indie game industry.
As the lead organization, the association oversees the entire process, from trainee selection to industry entry upon completion. It also strengthens practical follow-up support, including job placement assistance, portfolio feedback, and distribution, networking, and exhibition opportunities. In particular, the association provides comprehensive support to ensure that graduates grow beyond mere “technical personnel” into creative, independent developers ready for immediate market entry.
This 1,295-hour training program features a hands-on, hands-on curriculum that covers all aspects of the industry, from game planning and Unity-based development to 2D/3D graphic design, team projects, and portfolio development. Through mentoring from current Neowiz employees, on-site experience at the Pangyo headquarters, and practical assignments, trainees will build a portfolio that adapts to the field. Top graduates will also be eligible for employment opportunities at Neowiz and its partner companies.
Neowiz, a leading company, provides on-the-job mentoring and project assignments, while the MBC Academy Computer Education Center supports educational infrastructure based on its experience operating K-Digital training programs. The Korea Radio Promotion Association will handle project management, administrative support, and quality assurance to enhance the quality of the training.
The Korea Indie Game Association stated, “Indie games are the starting point of innovation in the Korean game industry, and fostering their potential is the way to secure the industry’s future competitiveness.” They added, “Through this academy, the association will solidify its role as a domestic indie game hub and actively promote the next generation of indie talent with creativity and technological prowess to the global stage.”
We plan to develop this course into a representative example of strengthening the indie game ecosystem and Neowiz’s ESG management practices. Our goal is to produce more than 100 trainees annually over the next five years and build a sustainable indie game industry infrastructure that can lead to startups, employment, and global expansion.
