KRAFTON and Neptune Join Forces for Global Casual Game Challenge Offering $5 Million in Prizes

KRAFTON and Neptune Launch Global Casual Game Challenge

KRAFTON, a leading Korean game company, has announced its collaboration with Neptune Co., Ltd. to host the Flick x KRAFTON Casual Game Challenge Season 01, a global hybrid casual game competition with a staggering prize pool of $5 million. This exciting initiative aims to engage game developers and indie studios from across the globe, inviting them to showcase their talent and creativity.

Competition Details

The competition opens for submissions on April 21, 2026, and remains open until May 18, 2026. Participants can apply through the official website, where they will find additional resources and guidelines. The selection results are expected to be revealed in July 2026, after an extensive evaluation process by a panel of judges.

The selected projects will receive testing and refinement support through Neptune's publishing brand, Flick, which is dedicated to validating and scaling innovative game ideas effectively in the global market.

The Role of Flick

Flick is designed to enable developers to quickly validate market potential and achieve scalability. By leveraging KRAFTON's extensive global publishing expertise and data-driven operational strategies, Flick aims to support projects from initial development all the way to commercialization. This collaboration promises a comprehensive enhancement of the development process.

Combining KRAFTON's insights on global publishing with Neptune's ad-tech expertise and strong operational knowledge in casual game development, this initiative seeks to identify competitive hybrid casual games while establishing a sustainable global publishing framework.

Submissions Open to All Stages

The competition's official website provides details about Flick, submission criteria, and applicable game stages. Not only completed titles are encouraged, but even prototypes can qualify for submission, enabling a wider range of innovative ideas to enter the challenge.

For more information, visit the official site: KRAFTON Casual Game Challenge

What are Hybrid Casual Games?

Hybrid casual games merge the quick enjoyment of hyper-casual games with deeper gameplay mechanics, creating a unique gaming experience. These games typically adopt a revenue model that combines in-app advertising (IAA) and in-app purchases (IAP), resulting in accelerated growth in the global gaming market. KRAFTON aims to uncover promising hybrid casual IPs through this challenge, as well as strengthen its global publishing presence via partnership with Neptune.

About Neptune Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2012, Neptune specializes in mobile game development and publishing. The company also operates ad-tech platforms aimed at enabling effective monetization through advertisements. With subsidiaries like PlayHard and EK GAMES, Neptune is recognized for popular titles such as Infinite Stairs and Rumble Heroes. In December 2016, the company was listed on KOSDAQ, solidifying its position as a standout player in the gaming market.

The Future of Flick

Flick symbolizes a platform where small ideas receive strong, strategic backing to influence the market positively. Neptune plans to enhance its hybrid casual game publishing endeavors significantly under this brand, aiming to bring about revolutionary changes in game distribution and monetization.

About KRAFTON, Inc.

Headquartered in Korea, KRAFTON continues to push the boundaries of creativity through innovative game development. Founded in 2007, it encompasses a collective of studios dedicated to generating beloved gaming experiences that resonate with fans worldwide. Notable titles under KRAFTON's portfolio include PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS and Terra. With the mission to Pioneer the Undiscovered, KRAFTON is committed to exploring new genres and technologies, expanding the future possibilities of the gaming industry.

For more details on KRAFTON's efforts, visit KRAFTON Official Site.

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