- The Massive Purse: A total pool of $5 million dedicated to discovering and scaling indie talent.
- The Collaboration: Krafton’s global publishing muscle meets Neptune’s ad-tech and casual game operational expertise.
- The Brand: Introducing “Flick,” Neptune’s specialized hybrid casual publishing brand leading the charge.
- The Timeline: Applications open April 21, with winners announced in July 2026.
The search for the next global mobile sensation is officially on. KRAFTON (CEO Changhan Kim) and Neptune (CEO Yulbin Kang) have announced a massive partnership to host the “Flick x KRAFTON Casual Game Challenge Season 01.” With a staggering $5 million investment and prize pool on the line, the contest is throwing down the gauntlet to indie studios and global developers alike.
What is a “Hybrid Casual” Game?
For those not deep in the dev-logs, the Hybrid Casual genre is currently the “sweet spot” of the mobile gaming market. It combines the simple, addictive “pick up and play” mechanics of hyper-casual games with the deeper progression and long-term retention of mid-core titles.
- Revenue Model: A blend of In-App Advertising (IAA) and In-App Purchases (IAP).
- The Goal: High accessibility for millions of users with the financial depth of a hardcore RPG.
The “Flick” Advantage
Winning isn’t just about the cash; it’s about the infrastructure. Selected games will be published under Flick, Neptune’s dedicated hybrid casual brand. Flick is designed to act as an accelerator, using data-driven operations and ad-tech to verify a game’s potential in the market almost instantly.
Krafton will lend its “global eye” and publishing experience, ensuring that even a small prototype from a two-person team has the resources to scale into a worldwide hit.
Contest Roadmap & Specifications
| Category | Details |
| Application Period | April 21 – May 18, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Global Developers & Indie Studios (Individual or Teams) |
| Project Stage | Completed Games or Prototypes |
| Winner Announcement | July 2026 |
| Core Benefits | $5M Investment Pool, Global Testing, and Marketing Support |
How to Enter
The challenge is open to global creators, and the organizers have made it clear that they aren’t just looking for finished masterpieces. Prototypes and early-stage projects are highly encouraged, as the goal of the challenge is to find a “diamond in the rough” that can be polished through the Flick pipeline.
“We are combining Krafton’s vision for global IPs with Neptune’s operational know-how to build a sustainable pipeline for indie creators,” a representative stated. “If you have a core loop that is fun and scalable, we want to see it.”
Interested developers can find the full submission criteria and the application portal at the official website: flickdifferent.com.
