By IndieGame.com Editorial Team | December 25, 2025
The Chungbuk Global Game Center has achieved a historic milestone in 2025, with the combined annual revenue of its supported companies exceeding KRW 10 billion (approx. USD 7.5 million) for the first time—signaling a breakthrough for the regional game industry.
According to an announcement made on December 25 by Chungcheongbuk-do Province, sustained operational support for the ICT-converged game center has significantly strengthened the local ecosystem. Revenue generated by supported game companies grew from KRW 3.95 billion in 2020 to KRW 10.01 billion in 2025, representing a 2.5-fold increase over five years. Cumulative revenue during the same period reached KRW 44.82 billion.
Notable Progress in Global Market Expansion
Global expansion emerged as a key highlight in 2025. One of the center’s resident studios, Soul M Games, signed a KRW 3 billion publishing contract with Southeast Asian publisher Ultimate Game for its mobile MMORPG IRISORIGIN SEA. The title officially launched in Thailand on December 15, demonstrating the growing global competitiveness of Chungbuk-based game developers.
The center’s growth has also translated into tangible employment outcomes. Supported companies collectively hired over 100 new employees in 2025, marking an increase of more than 15% compared to the previous year and contributing to regional economic revitalization.
Structured Support Programs Drive Sustainable Growth
Established in 2018 after being selected through a joint initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, the Chungbuk Global Game Center operates within the Cheongju Advanced Cultural Industry Complex.
The center provides comprehensive support across the full development lifecycle, including game production funding, indie and startup incubation, project advancement and commercialization support, and professional workforce training. All 22 resident studio spaces are currently fully occupied.
In particular, the Chungbuk Game Academy has been cited as a critical growth engine, fostering talent development while directly linking graduates to employment opportunities within local game studios.
Laying the Foundation for Future Expansion
In February 2025, the center further strengthened its strategic network by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Game Developers Association, agreeing to collaborate on education programs, industry events, advisory services, consulting, and information exchange.
Lee Hye-ran, Director of Science and Technology Policy at Chungcheongbuk-do Province, commented:
“By providing tailored, field-oriented support, the Chungbuk Global Game Center has built a strong foundation for local game companies to grow. We will continue to strategically nurture the game and broader content industries to drive regional economic growth and job creation.”
Building on its 2025 achievements, the center plans to continue initiatives such as indie startup production support and game content development programs, with the goal of further enhancing the global competitiveness of Chungbuk’s game industry.
