- The Partnership: A collaboration between the Chungnam Global Game Center, Asan City, and Smilegate’s indie platform Stove Indie.
- The Mission: To foster local youth game developers and build a sustainable indie game ecosystem in the Chungnam region.
- The Perks: 6 months of expert mentoring, technical support, business consulting, and development stipends.
- Deadline: Applications are open until March 18, 2026.
The Chungnam Global Game Center, under the Chungnam Institute of Culture and Design (Director Kim Gok-mi), has announced a joint initiative with Asan City and Stove Indie to recruit participants for the “Future Creator Training Course.” This six-month program, starting in April, is designed to provide comprehensive game development education and professional mentoring to aspiring creators.
Connecting Local Talent to the Chungnam Game Ecosystem
The core objective of this course is to expand the creative horizons of young local developers and establish an indie game ecosystem that leads to successful startups.
Director Kim Gok-mi highlighted the potential of the region, stating, “Asan is home to many universities with game-related majors, producing exceptional talent every year. Through this course, we aim to discover and systematically nurture young developers with innovative ideas.” She also noted that teams interested in starting a business would be linked to the “Indie Game Park Incubating” project to ensure continued support.
Eligibility: Priority is given to students currently enrolled in universities located in Asan City. However, the program is open to any student attending a university in the Chungnam region or any youth residing in Chungnam.
6 Months with Stove Indie: What Support is Provided?
Selected teams will receive four pillars of support to ensure their projects reach their full potential:
| Support Pillar | Description |
| Dedicated Mentoring | Each team is assigned a professional mentor for end-to-end project management, from direction setting to scheduling. |
| Technical “One-Point” Lessons | Access to experts in coding, graphics, and sound to overcome specific technical hurdles during development. |
| Business & FGT Support | Business mentoring from Smilegate PMs and participation in the Indie Boost Lab (FGT) program, also known as “Wise Demo Life,” to receive user feedback. |
| Financial & Exhibition Aid | Direct development stipends (activity fees) and priority participation in the “Future Game Jam” scheduled for September 2026. |
Why Stove Indie? A Powerful Partner for K-Indies
As the sole dedicated indie game platform in South Korea operated by Smilegate, Stove Indie has become a cornerstone of the K-Indie scene. They provide a full-spectrum support system—from early-stage mentoring and crowdfunding to marketing and global distribution.
Stove Indie’s track record is impressive:
- 100% Success Rate for games supported through their “Funding Pack” last year.
- 126 Games participated in “Wise Demo Life” (user feedback program).
- 211 Teams attended the “Creator Growth Tutorial” workshops.
This partnership marks a significant expansion of Stove Indie’s regional support initiatives, moving beyond the Seoul metropolitan area to invigorate the gaming scene in Chungnam.
A Pathway to Entrepreneurship
The “Future Creator Training Course” serves as a feeder for the “Indie Game Park Incubating” project. This incubator is divided into two categories: “Prospective Founders” and “Startups” (less than 3 years old). By linking these programs, the Chungnam Global Game Center aims to create a “virtuous cycle” where students can grow their skills and transition directly into professional game development and business ownership.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online by March 18, 2026. Following a document review and interview phase, the final participants will be announced for the program starting in April.
- Inquiries: Chungnam Global Game Center Representative (☎ 041-520-6474)
