Smilegate Future Lab Foundation announced on the 22nd that it held a graduation ceremony for the 17th class of the indie game division of the indie game incubation program ‘Smilegate Membership (SGM).’
The SGM Indie Game Division is a creative support program that provides six months of funding and infrastructure, including space, to creators developing games. Even after completion, the program offers opportunities for continued growth through the “Alumni” community of graduates.
A total of 56 people attended this graduation ceremony, including 12 teams from the 17th SGM class and 10 SGM Alumni creators who visited to congratulate their juniors on their graduation.
They shared the results of their development over the past six months, reviewed each other’s projects, and encouraged each other. They then reflected on the past six months. The participating teams shared their achievements and trials, ranging from planning changes to game improvements based on user feedback and strengthening team building through changes in communication methods among team members.
A platform was also set up to receive feedback from Smilegate executives and employees. Employees played the game and shared their feedback on build management, art direction, and UI design to enhance the game’s fun and completeness.
The 17th SGM alumni team will join the SGM Alumni community in the future. They will continue to study and enhance their skills for game release. They also plan to practice a “Pay it Forward” culture, growing together with their peers within the community and sharing the fruits of their labor with younger generations.
Baek Min-jeong, Director of Future Lab Center, said, “It was a meaningful opportunity to see the fruits of the 12 teams that have grown together by supporting each other and sharing feedback fiercely,” and added, “We will continue to support them so that they can discover greater possibilities through collaboration with colleagues and continue the ‘Pay it Forward’ culture, which is the core value of Future Lab’s creative ecosystem.”
