- The Mission: Boosting the global competitiveness of Busan-based indie and SME game developers.
- The Funding: Grants ranging from 40M KRW to 100M KRW per project.
- The New Addition: A dedicated “Rookie” track for early-stage startups to lower entry barriers.
- The Legacy: The program behind global hits like Little Witch in the Woods and All-In-One Sports VR.
Busan Metropolitan City and the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency (BIPA) have officially launched recruitment for the “2026 Bu:Star Game Content Production Support Project.” As a flagship program that has fostered the local ecosystem since 2015, this year’s edition features increased funding and a more specialized support structure to help local talent go global.
Three Specialized Tracks for Success
The project is strategically divided into three categories based on the game’s development stage:
- All-in-One Package (Up to 100M KRW): Targeted at projects with high global potential. This track offers long-term support for up to three years, covering production in Year 1, enhancement in Year 2, and marketing in Year 3.
- Commercialization (Up to 100M KRW): For games ready to develop a launch-capable build within the agreement period. This track focuses on finalizing the product for market entry.
- Prototype (General/Rookie) (Up to 40M KRW): Designed to turn early-stage ideas into playable demos. This year, the “Rookie” category has been added specifically for new startups to encourage fresh talent in the region.
What’s New? To better support local developers, BIPA has increased the grant amounts for the All-in-One and Commercialization tracks by 20M KRW compared to last year.
A Decade of Success Stories
The “Bu:Star” brand is synonymous with success in the Korean indie scene. Notable alumni who have benefited from this support include:
- Sunny Side Up’s Little Witch in the Woods: Reached #1 on Steam’s Global Top Sellers (Early Access).
- Appnori’s All-In-One Sports VR: Topped the charts on the China PICO Store.
- MAST Games’ Worship Fleet Command: A top-performing mobile title in the domestic Play Store.
The “One-Stop” Support Ecosystem
Selected companies will be integrated into the Busan Global Game Center (BGC) ecosystem. Beyond the monetary grant, developers receive:
- Incubation: Professional workspace and equipment within BGC.
- Expert Consulting: Game analysis, QA, and launching strategies.
- Intensive Training: Access to “Game Camps” for practical skill-sharing among industry professionals.
Quick Facts: 2026 Bu:Star Support
| Category | Details |
| Organizer | Busan Metropolitan City / BIPA |
| Eligibility | Busan-based (or relocating) SME game developers |
| Max Funding | 100M KRW (All-in-One / Commercialization) |
| Key Support | Labor costs, IP acquisition, Outsourcing, Concept design |
| Application | e-Naradoum (gosims.go.kr) |
| Deadline | Check the official notice for the specific closing date |
