The 2026 Indie Craft competition, co-hosted by the Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency and the Korea Mobile Game Association, has officially closed its recruitment phase by setting a new milestone: 417 applications. This represents the highest participation rate since the event’s rebranding in 2019, significantly surpassing the previous record of 326 set in 2024.
Participation Breakdown
- Domestic & Community Category: 295 companies.
- Challenger (University Student) Category: 122 companies.
- Growth Trend: An increase of approximately 90 companies compared to the 2024 record.
Success Factors for 2026
The operational office attributes this high turnout to enhanced financial incentives and practical business support:
- Doubled Grand Prize: The main prize money has increased more than twofold over the previous year, now totaling 40 million KRW.
- Business Linkage: Programs like the “Connect Fair – K-Game Export Consultation” provide practical paths for market expansion.
- Festival Integration: Offline exhibition support is linked directly with GXG, a major game culture event in Seongnam.
Selection Schedule & Next Steps
| Phase | Date / Period | Details |
| Document Screening | Until May 21, 2026 | Initial review of all 417 entries. |
| Final Selection Announcement | Late May 2026The | Top 50 Domestic and Top 20 Challenger companies will be named. |
| AI Platform Training | Post-Selection | Selected companies receive data analysis and AI platform education. |
| 2026 GXG Exhibition | Sept 11 – 12, 2026 | Offline showcase featuring a 100-member user evaluation panel. |
Business & Technical Support Perks
Developers who make the final cut will gain access to specialized industry benefits:
- Software Credits: Free usage credits for U-Modeler’s ‘Picoberry’ (an AI 3D solution).
- Design Assets: In-game font support provided by Morisawa Korea.
- Final Judging: The ultimate Top 3 developers will be determined by user evaluations during the September exhibition.
“This record-high participation proves that Indie Craft has moved beyond a simple contest to become a vital platform for growth and global market entry.” — Lee Deok-hee, Strategic Industry Division, Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency.
