Hard Coders, the game development club from Kongju National University and creators of the K-indie co-op platformer SEMO, has announced the launch of the “SEMO Challenge”, a month-long Steam community event celebrating the release of the game’s first public demo.
The challenge runs from November 26 to December 26, 2025, featuring two competitive categories: Speedrun and Map Editor.
A Community Competition With Two Ways to Play
The SEMO Challenge is an open, player-driven event where anyone who tries the demo can participate. The challenge is divided into two main categories:
1) Speedrun Category
Participants compete to clear three stages as fast as possible.
Despite its simple controls, SEMO’s physics-heavy platforming and team-oriented mechanics demand a high level of precision — making this category a true test of skill and mastery.
2) Map Editor Category
Using SEMO’s built-in map editor, players can design and upload their own custom stages.
Winners will be determined by the number of “likes” their creations receive from the community.
Although still in early testing, the editor is expected to spark creativity and encourage strong community engagement.
How to Join the SEMO Challenge
Anyone who adds SEMO to their Steam wishlist and plays the demo can participate.
Entering the challenge is simple:
Just launch the demo and enter your email in the text field at the top-left of the lobby screen.
- Event Period: Nov 26 – Dec 26, 2025
- Demo Download: Free on Steam
Download the game: Available for free on the Steam demo page
(SEMO Demo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4112590/SEMO_Demo/ )
Attractive Rewards — All Winners Receive Early Access Keys
Both categories offer identical rewards, and every winner receives a SEMO Early Access Steam key, allowing them to play the full early access version ahead of release.
Prizes (Speedrun & Map Editor)
- 1st: 100,000 KRW Steam Gift Card
- 2nd: 50,000 KRW Steam Gift Card
- 3rd: 25,000 KRW Steam Gift Card
- 4th: 10,000 KRW Steam Gift Card
- 5th: 5,000 KRW Steam Gift Card (3 winners)
“Fun Comes First — More Wishlist, Bigger Prize Pool,” Says Hard Coders
A Hard Coders representative explained the spirit behind the event:
“We wanted a small celebration where players can simply enjoy SEMO together. Fast records and lots of ‘likes’ are great, but most importantly, we hope players have fun trying out the demo.”
They also added that the event may scale up in size depending on community interest:
“If the wishlist count increases, we plan to expand the prize pool as well.”
What is ‘SEMO’?
SEMO is a 4-player cooperative physics-based platformer where triangular characters work together to rescue a trapped circle from a world full of obstacles and slapstick chaos.
Despite its simple inputs, the game emphasizes precise physics interaction, teamwork, and unpredictable fun.
Key Features
- Supports single-player and multiplayer
- Stage-based challenge structure
- Combination of PvE and PvP elements
- User-generated content via map editor
- Competitive record system and difficulty tiers
The game is targeting Steam Early Access in the first half of 2026, with mobile and Nintendo Switch versions also under consideration.
[About the Group] The Technical Powerhouse: Hard Coders
Based within the Department of Game Design at Kongju National University (South Korea), Hard Coders is a student-led development team dedicated to mastering the “hard” technical aspects of game creation. The name carries a double meaning: it refers to those who code “hard” (with passion) and those who dive deep into the core, fundamental logic of “Hard Coding.”
The group focuses on bridging the gap between academic theory and industry reality by managing projects through the entire lifecycle—from initial concept to global publishing on platforms like Steam.
Key Information & Profile
| Category | Details |
| Affiliation | Department of Game Design, Kongju National University (KNU) |
| Location | Gongju/Cheonan, South Korea |
| Core Tech | Unity, Unreal Engine, VR/AR, Multiplayer Networking |
| Focus | Collaborative Development, Industry Pipeline Mastery, External Exhibitions |
| Official Website | hardcoders.kr |
