Smilegate Future Lab (CEO Kwon Hyuk-bin) has opened recruitment for the third round of its “Indie Game Prototyping Challenge,” a hands-on workshop for indie game creators. Any indie game creator with an early prototype featuring core systems and a proven game experience is eligible to apply, and participation is free. The application deadline is the 2nd of next month, and applications can be submitted through the Indielog website.
Proving ‘fun’ with objective indicators
One of the most challenging tasks in indie game development is objectively assessing whether your game is actually fun. The “Indie Game Prototyping Challenge” program stems from this very question. It aims to provide a structural understanding of the entire game prototyping process and to verify the core fun elements of a game under development using a step-by-step methodology.
The four-week program consists of step-by-step learning, including establishing verification goals, creating checklists, and designing interviews. It also includes mutual feedback between teams and close one-on-one mentoring with industry veterans. The offline playtest, a core component of the program, is designed to move beyond mere subjective impressions to derive objective, data-driven indicators and establish practical directions for improvement. The program’s core value lies in unpacking the often abstract concept of “fun” into numerical and evidence-based solutions.
A virtuous cycle of talent sharing begins with a working developer serving as a mentor.
This third round of mentors will feature four current indie game developers from the Smilegate Future Lab Creative Support Program. They are Lee Yu-won (Banji Games), Kim Seo-ha (Hoochoo Game Studio), Moon Ji-hwan (Team Horay), and Lee Do-woon (LIFUEL). All creators who have grown through Future Lab support will participate as facilitators in this program, providing practical advice tailored to each team’s unique circumstances.
This is the so-called “talent return” structure that FutureLab emphasizes. The program’s philosophical foundation is a community ecosystem where creators who have grown through support in turn support the next generation of creators. Oh Sook-hyun, Director of Smilegate FutureLab, stated, “The Indie Game Prototyping Challenge will help solve practical problems and improve capabilities for indie game development.” She added, “We ask for your interest and support from creators who wish to grow within the creative community, including the talent return from alumni of the FutureLab creative support program.”
With over 200 participants, the program has a 4.84 rating and a proven track record.
Launched in 2022, the program has solidified its position in the indie game ecosystem, with 40 teams and over 200 creators participating over the past two iterations. Participant satisfaction reached a high 4.84 out of 5, with participants primarily expressing satisfaction with the mentoring that allowed them to concretize their development direction. Numerous cases have also been reported where projects that had been vague ideas gained a clear direction.
Any indie game creator with an early prototype with core systems implemented and a proven playability can apply. The application period is open until Sunday, March 2, 2025, and applications can be submitted through the Indielog (indielog.kr) website. Selected teams will participate in the program for four weeks, starting in April, in a parallel online and offline format.
