[K-Wave] KOCCA to expand investment and support for indie game production

Gaming has become one of the core industries of Korea's content exports, accounting for about 60 percent of that sector.

Accordingly, the Korea Creative Content Agency will expand support in this field.

Lee Eun-jin has the details of this plan.

A post-apocalyptic near-future where 90 percent of humanity has been wiped out due to the resurrection of an ancient virus as a side effect of global warming.

Survivors hide in an underground bunker to avoid mutant creatures, as they train agents with a training AI simulator named "VEDA" to regain ground.

This is the narrative of the indie action game "VEDA" which was produced with the support of the Korea Creative Content Agency and swept various indie game awards last year.

"VEDA" has raised expectations among gamers for its versatility, being both a PC and console game.

To foster further development of such games, the Korea Creative Content Agency will invest 63-point-2-billion won, or roughly 43-point-5 million U.S. dollars in the gaming sector. That's an increase of nearly 1-point-4 million U.S. dollars from last year.

Specifically, they plan to expand support for indie and console games.

"We plan to uncover a variety of creative indie games, and support production and consulting costs.

Console games have a long production period, so we've established a new three-year support program."

In addition to the financial support, all-around support will be provided to gaming companies, which includes assistance with distribution contracts and promotion at overseas game shows.

The Korea Creative Content Agency will also actively respond to the problems that exist in the registration of game disease codes that can cause great damage to the game industry.

As of the first half of 2024, games accounted for about 60 percent of Korea's content industry exports, steadily becoming established as a core export asset.

Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.