NEOWIZ Launches Global Indie Game Contest With $115K Prize Pool

NEOWIZ Opens a Global Indie Contest With a Six-Figure Prize Pool

NEOWIZ, a leader in the gaming industry, has launched a new initiative aimed at fostering narrative-driven indie game development. Dubbed the NEOWIZ Quest, the contest boasts a generous prize pool exceeding $115,000 and is designed to support the creation of story-rich indie games that resonate on a global scale.

Co-CEOs Seungchul Kim and Taegeun Bae are at the forefront of this ambitious program. They expressed their commitment to nurturing emerging talents in the gaming industry, emphasizing that NEOWIZ Quest seeks to provide a platform where creators can focus on innovating and refining their narrative game designs.

Who Could Enter NEOWIZ Quest?

NEOWIZ Quest is open to all indie game developers, including individuals, teams, and entrepreneurial spirits looking to break into the gaming industry. The competition welcomes entries from all game genres and platforms. However, games that are already commercialized or available as Early Access titles are ineligible to participate.

Deadline and Awards

Interested developers can submit their game entries for free via the NEOWIZ Quest official website. The application process remains open until January 16, 2026, allowing participants to refine and update their submissions until the deadline.

The contest will culminate in an offline awards ceremony scheduled for March 6, 2026, where the winners, including the grand prize and category winners, will be announced. A total of 10 finalists will be selected, highlighting the diversity and creativity of the global indie game community.

NEOWIZ Expands Its Indie Publishing Push

Over the past year, NEOWIZ has expanded its support for indie game development through partnerships with various studios such as BLANK Studio, ZAKAZANE, Wolfeye Studios, Lizard Smoothie, and JINO Games. This contest marks NEOWIZ’s largest-scale effort to date in its ongoing commitment to publish a diverse array of innovative titles.

For more context on the publisher’s approach, read our later NEOWIZ publishing interview with Justin Carnahan.

For more information about the NEOWIZ Quest and details on how to enter, developers are encouraged to visit the NEOWIZ Quest website.

Founded in 1997, NEOWIZ is one of Korea’s leading game companies, known for its integration of compelling narratives with exceptional gameplay. The company has developed and published a variety of successful titles across PC, consoles, and mobile platforms, including Lies of P, Brave Nine, DJMAX RESPECT, and Cats & Soup. NEOWIZ continues to captivate gamers worldwide, proving its prowess in creating legendary gaming experiences.