For indie game developers with small budgets and big dreams, global game centers across the country are emerging as a powerful support system. Operated by the Korea Creative Content Agency and local governments, these centers go beyond simple office space to provide one-stop support for production costs, professional training, marketing and PR, and global expansion opportunities, driving the growth of K-indie games.
Breakthrough move-in support significantly reduces initial costs.
The biggest obstacle to indie game development is initial capital. Office rent and operating costs alone can be a significant burden for new studios. Global Game Centers across the country offer practical solutions to address these concerns.
The Global Game Hub Center, located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, subsidizes 80% of rent and 50% of management fees for resident companies. The Chungbuk Global Game Center goes even further, offering indie startups full rent and utility subsidies, while the Chungnam Global Game Center, located near Cheonan-Asan Station, subsidizes up to 250,000 won per employee per month for rent. This translates to a monthly savings of several million won in fixed costs.
You can also choose your own space based on your team’s size. With a variety of options available, from large offices to small shared workspaces, you can find the right environment for your needs, from solo developers to small teams. While each regional center may vary, the basic tenancy period is typically two years, with the option to extend for up to four years based on performance, ensuring a stable development environment.
Up to 70 million won in production support, turning your ideas into reality.
The Global Game Center’s true strength lies in its direct support of production costs. The Jeonbuk Global Game Center provides up to 70 million won per project through its Indie Game Production Support Project. The Chungnam Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency’s Advanced Game Production Support Project provides 50 million won in support. Other regional centers, including those in Gyeongsangnam-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, also provide customized production funding based on the company’s growth stage.
This support goes beyond simple funding. The Busan Global Game Center provides production cost support and expert consulting, minimizing trial and error that can occur during the development process. The Gyeongbuk Global Game Center supports game content development across a variety of platforms, from VR, AR, and MR to PC online, console, and mobile, broadening developers’ options.
In addition, the types and scale of support projects vary slightly for each center, but generally include support for new game production, support for indie startup production, and game advancement. · Indie support for commercialization, global business support, etc. · We operate a variety of support programs for startup development teams.
The latest development tools, equipment, and software licenses are provided free of charge.
Software license costs essential for game development are also significant. The Global Game Hub Center provides major game development software, including Adobe, Autodesk, and Unity, free of charge. This translates to annual licensing savings of millions of won.
Hardware support is also robust. The Chungbuk Global Game Center is equipped with a variety of testing devices, from the latest Galaxy models to Steam Decks, enabling the free conduct of cross-platform testing essential for multi-platform game development. From mobile games to VR games, quality control is significantly facilitated by the provision of testbeds on actual devices.
Strengthen your capabilities through professional training and consulting
There are also a wealth of training programs available for new developers lacking technical expertise. Each center regularly hosts seminars and workshops, covering everything from the latest game development trends to practical training. The Gyeongnam Global Game Center operates a program to cultivate game content experts and also provides cutting-edge technology training for current employees.
We also provide comprehensive management support. You can receive expert consulting on non-game development-related matters, including tax and accounting, legal and legal affairs, and human resources and labor, creating an environment where you can focus solely on development. You can receive comprehensive advice on everything from production stages to publishing and service, funding, and even overseas expansion strategies.
Serving as a bridgehead for global expansion through various business support programs
For developers seeking to expand beyond the domestic market and target overseas markets, the Global Game Center serves as a bridgehead for overseas expansion. The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) plans to operate a Korean pavilion at Bitsummit 2025, held in Kyoto, Japan this July.
The Gyeongnam Global Game Center supports participation in major international game exhibitions such as the Tokyo Game Show and G-Star. Beyond simply providing a booth, the center provides comprehensive services, including localization support, overseas buyer matching, and marketing assistance, helping to drive tangible business results. The Gyeongbuk Global Game Center also operates various programs to promote game exports overseas.
“Sharing joys and sorrows, even a blank piece of paper is better when held together.” A place for networking and collaboration.
Even problems difficult to solve alone can be solved through interaction with fellow developers. At the “2025 Indie Game Networking Day,” hosted by the Korea Creative Content Agency in June of this year, 55 developers and over 100 officials attended to share practical information and exchange ideas.
One participant reported that it was incredibly beneficial to be able to exchange information with other developers at similar stages and hear firsthand about senior developers’ experiences with global launches. Opportunities for collaboration with major publishers are also open through business agreements with leading companies like Neowiz, Smilegate Megaport, and Pearl Abyss.
The natural interaction between companies residing within the center is also a major advantage. Working in the same space, they share their concerns on a daily basis, sometimes even developing into collaborative projects. Regional events like the Subgame Festival hosted by the Jeonbuk Global Game Center provide valuable opportunities for developers to showcase their games and receive feedback.
From talent recruitment support to regionally specialized programs, attention is also paid to this.
For growing developers, securing top talent is essential. The Global Game Center not only supports online integrated job postings but also connects new talent with companies through internship programs.
Through programs such as the Jeonbuk Global Game Center’s customized internship support program and the Gyeongnam Global Game Center’s internship program, young talents are provided with opportunities to gain practical experience and transition to full-time employment.
Global Game Centers established in 16 metropolitan governments across the country operate differentiated programs tailored to the unique characteristics of each region. Each regional center, including the Seoul Game Content Center, Gyeonggi Global Game Center, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Ulsan Global Game Centers, and Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, Chungbuk, Chungnam, and Gangwon, possesses unique strengths.
You can also receive support linked to the local industrial ecosystem, such as through the Chungbuk Global Game Center, jointly operated by the Chungcheongbuk-do Enterprise Promotion Agency and the Cheongju Cultural Industry Promotion Foundation. By forming networks among local game companies, a foundation for mutual growth is being established.
How to apply and eligibility requirements
Most global game centers regularly recruit companies and support programs throughout the year. While eligibility requirements vary slightly from center to center, applicants are generally small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as defined by the Small and Medium Business Act, prospective entrepreneurs, or early-stage startups.
For the Jeonbuk Global Game Center, companies outside the province can also apply if they relocate their headquarters to Jeonbuk within two months of signing the agreement. The Global Game Hub Center targets domestic game companies that have been in business for less than 10 years, while Game Venture 4.0 supports developers preparing to launch or those in business for less than a year.
Applications are accepted online through each center’s website, and require submission of relevant documents, including a business plan and game development plan. Selection is based on a comprehensive evaluation of technical prowess, business viability, global market understanding, and team capabilities.
[Korea Creative Content Agency Regional Global Game Center Information Page]
Support for startups and indie games to be expanded in 2026.
The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) plans to further strengthen its creator-centered support system and enhance the global competitiveness of K-indie games through public-private partnerships. Networking programs will continue in the second half of the year to expand opportunities for exchange among indie game developers and collaboration with leading companies.
Regional centers are also expanding their support and diversifying their programs. Local government-affiliated promotion agencies, including the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Content Convergence Promotion Agency, the Gyeongnam Culture & Arts Promotion Agency, and the Chungnam Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency, plan to announce expanded support plans at their 2026 business briefing sessions.
[Related Article: New Year’s Plan – Part 1: 2026 K-Indie Game Industry Outlook]
