Creative Challengers League 6th Cohort Graduation Ceremony | Opening the Door to Creative Possibilities through Passion and Challenge 2025-03-17

On February 20, the graduation ceremony for the 6th cohort of the Creative Challengers League (CCL) took place at Smilegate’s Seohyeon office. It was an opportunity for participants who had worked on game development projects for three months to present their work. So, what kind of games emerged from this season of CCL? the Newsroom team visited the event to find out.

This season of CCL showcased a total of 51 games, ranging from adventure to simulation genres. Such diversity was made possible by the participation of not only developers but also planners, artists, and other creative talents. We spoke with the creators of two of the featured games to hear about their motivations and development experiences. 

“Trapped in the Office During Overtime,” Created by Senior Developer Lee Dong-yoon

“Collaboration with Teammates Became a Growth Experience”

“Trapped in the Office During Overtime” is an escape room-style game that begins when an employee working late finds themselves trapped in the office during a sudden blackout. Players must use various clues to escape. The familiar office setting enhances immersion in the gameplay.  

Lee Dong-yoon, a senior developer at Smilegate Entertainment who handled programming, participated in CCL for the third time. In the past, he tackled projects alone, but this time he collaborated with a team and experienced a new way of developing games. Lee shared, “In the past, I had to teach myself unfamiliar aspects like setting up the development environment, assets, and implementing core systems, which was challenging. This time, I was able to overcome various hurdles by working with teammates who had expertise in different areas.” 

Despite difficulties in setting up the environment and implementing systems, the team's structured collaboration allowed them to steadily improve the game's quality. It was particularly insightful to view the game development process from the programmer's perspective rather than the planner’s. He advised, “If you're interested in CCL, I recommend forming a team and taking on a project together. Collaborating with teammates who have experience in different areas—like schedule management, resource sharing, and goal setting—can make the development process more efficient and provide valuable growth.” 

What did others think of the game? Assistant Manager Jung Hyun-joo from Smilegate Entertainment shared, “The familiar setting made it easy to get immersed. The tension of the escape sequence was well integrated, and I think it would also work well if developed into a horror version.”

“Adventure of Tteok-Ttukkoebi,” Created by Assistant Manager Kim Kyung-deok

“The Development Process Itself Was a Joy”

“Adventure of Tteok-Ttukkoebi” is a side-scrolling action game that follows the titular character overcoming obstacles on a journey through the world. Its detailed pixel art and retro aesthetics stand out, while creative trick elements add even more enjoyment to the gameplay.

Assistant Manager Kim Kyung-deok of Smilegate Entertainment developed the game solo but received great support from his family. They held regular meetings called the “Tteok-Ttukkoebi Conference” where he, his wife, and elementary school-aged son discussed the main character and game features, sharing the joy of creation.

Initially, Kim wasn’t confident he could finish the game alone, but through steady effort, he completed the project and grew more confident as a developer. “The PICO-8 engine I used had limitations on code length, sound, and graphic resources, so I had to focus only on the essentials. Through many conversations with my family, I was able to extract the essence of fun.”

The joy of the development process is one of the key appeals of CCL. He shared, “Having fun with CCL is really important. Holding family meetings and sneaking in time to work because I was excited to show them the latest build was really enjoyable.” He expressed his hopes to tackle a larger game in the future.

Assistant Manager Shin Jae-hee of Smilegate Entertainment said, “After trying the game, I was impressed with how finely detailed the graphics and direction were. I heard Kim created the pixel art himself—it must have taken a tremendous amount of time and dedication.” 

CCL 6th Graduation: A New Beginning, Not an End

The CCL 6th graduation ceremony was less an end than a new beginning. Participants continue to evolve their projects through follow-up programs like the Garden Project and Masters League. Some projects have even led to startups or been selected for in-house initiatives. Beyond personal creative experience, these projects have the potential to grow into something greater.

Assistant Manager Jung Hyun-joo said, “I think CCL is one of the best benefits our company offers. Being able to develop the game I want with company support feels really special. It's not just a hobby—it's an opportunity to create real prototypes and receive user feedback.”

Yeo Seung-hwan, the director of Smilegate Stove leading the CCL program, concluded the 6th ceremony by emphasizing the continuous growth and development of the program.

He said, “Each year, more members participate and the quality of games improves. We’ll continue to support more members in experiencing the joy of creation.”

The CCL creative program is a valuable platform where any Smilegate member who loves games can turn their ideas into reality.

We look forward to more exciting challenges and bigger leaps from future participants.