- Strategic Collaboration: The Seoul Business Agency (SBA) teamed up with IGG Korea (supported by Google Play) to bridge the gap between developers and industry veterans.
- Global Insights: Industry leaders from Japan’s G-MODE and Korea’s Lizard Smoothie shared secret sauces for global success.
- Future Roadmap: SBA unveiled the results of its 2025 support projects and outlined new directions for 2026.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) have successfully concluded a major networking event aimed at revitalizing the local indie game ecosystem. Held on January 21 at the Gen.G GGX center in Seoul, the event served as a melting pot for innovation, featuring exhibitions, expert lectures, and high-level networking sessions.
Global Wisdom on the Local Stage
The highlight of the afternoon was a series of “Insight Lectures” that provided practical strategies for navigating the competitive global market.
- G-MODE Corporation (Japan): The developers behind the legendary Tsukuyomi Series shared their experience in long-term IP management and cross-border expansion.
- Lizard Smoothie (Korea): Fresh off the success of their 2025 hit Shape of Dreams, the team discussed the challenges of indie development and how to turn a creative vision into a commercial breakthrough.
A Showcase of 15 Promising Talents
Beyond the lectures, the event featured a showcase of 15 promising indie games. This session allowed developers to present their current builds to a curated audience of peers and industry insiders.
- Real-time Feedback: Developers received immediate, actionable critiques on game mechanics and user experience.
- Diversity of Genres: The showcase highlighted the breadth of the Korean scene, ranging from experimental puzzles to high-action roguelikes.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Vision
The SBA utilized this gathering to share the successes of its 2025 support initiatives and, more importantly, to set the stage for 2026.
“We recognize that Seoul’s gaming industry is a high-value sector that contributes significantly to our economy,” said Moon Gu-seon, Head of the Creative Industry Division at SBA. “We remain committed to communicating with small-to-mid-sized developers with an open mind to ensure their sustained growth.”
Co-host IGG Korea—a community-driven organization for indie developers—pledged to continue its partnership with the SBA, aiming to establish Seoul as a central hub for the global indie gaming community through regular exchange programs and networking mixers.
Event Summary
| Category | Details |
| Main Organizers | Seoul Business Agency (SBA), IGG Korea |
| Venue | Gen.G GGX, Seoul |
| Key Speakers | G-MODE (Japan), Lizard Smoothie (Korea) |
| Exhibition Scale | 15 Selected Indie Titles |
| Key Focus | Networking, Global Success Strategies, 2026 Policy Roadmap |
