The Event: A high-intensity, 72-hour non-stop game development sprint held at the DDP Igansumun Exhibition Hall from June 26 to June 28, 2026.
The Organizers: Co-hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), and Google Play Indie Game Group Korea, with official sponsorship from Smilegate STOVE.
The Objective: Selected teams must turn a surprise set of keywords into a commercial-ready game prototype over a single weekend.
The Deadline: Applications are open until Friday, May 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM KST, with only 10 ultimate team slots available.
72 Hours of High-Stakes Prototyping
The “2026 Seoul Indie Game Development Challenge” is not your average weekend hackathon. Kicking off on Friday, June 26 at 1:00 PM, the event demands that participants design a functional prototype under intense time pressure.
The core twist lies in the surprise theme. On day one, organizers will reveal three to four distinct keywords—one of which is guaranteed to be “Seoul”. Teams are expected to weave these concepts together into a project that isn’t just a proof-of-concept, but a viable product with genuine market potential.
The 4-Step Commercialization Pipeline
The challenge is uniquely structured to take developers from raw concepts all the way to potential business contracts through a four-stage program:
- Capability Enhancement: Practical seminars hosted by industry experts, focusing on workflow optimization and leveraging AI tools to accelerate development.
- Immersive Development: A sleepless, 72-hour coding and design marathon to bring the game to life.
- Showcasing & Voting: A peer-review phase where teams playtest each other’s prototypes, exchange constructive feedback, and cast votes.
- Investor Matchmaking: For teams looking to commercialize, the SBA will facilitate direct pitch meetings with Venture Capitals (VCs) and publishers to help secure funding.
Eligibility & Requirements
The challenge targets small, established teams looking for a breakthrough opportunity.
- Team Limits: Teams must consist of 5 or fewer members. All participants must belong to the same company, backed by official employment documentation.
- Company Status: Only registered small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), sole proprietorships, or corporations as of the deadline are eligible. There is a strict limit of one team per company.
- The Seoul Advantage: While companies nationwide are welcome to apply, businesses based in Seoul will receive bonus points during the selection process.
- The Next Gen Slot: A single special slot is reserved exclusively for a student team from Seoul Digitech High School, guaranteeing them entry into the challenge provided they pass basic screening.
Quick Overview: 2026 Seoul Indie Game Development Challenge
| Category | Details |
| Hosts | Seoul Metropolitan Government, SBA, Google Play Indie Game Group Korea |
| Sponsor | Smilegate STOVE |
| Event Date | June 26 (Fri) 13:00 – June 28 (Sun) 18:00, 2026 |
| Venue | DDP Igansumun Exhibition Hall |
| Cohort Size | 10 Teams Total (Up to 5 members per team) |
| Application Deadline | May 29, 2026 (Fri) at 17:00 KST |
How to Apply
Interested developers must register online via the official Seoul Business Agency website (www.sba.seoul.kr) using a corporate membership profile. The application form and portfolio (along with required employment proofs) must be bundled into a single ZIP file under 10MB.
For further details or direct inquiries, teams can reach out to the SBA Game Team via email at kjh726@sba.seoul.kr or by phone at 02-2124-2907.
| How to apply | Go to the SBA website online application |
| Contact | Seoul Economic Promotion Agency Game Team kjh726@sba.seoul.kr / 02-2124-2907 |
