Seoul city gov't, NC tap AI to feature landmarks in video games

The Seoul City Hall complex / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will co-host a game development contest with Korean gaming company NC's artificial intelligence (AI) subsidiary, NC AI, offering cash prizes and development support to teams that create games featuring Seoul landmarks, the city said Friday.

The “Seoul Play-Up AI Game Challenge” is open to individuals and teams across the country, with no limits on hardware or software. Participants are required to incorporate Seoul landmarks — including Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Han River parks and the Hanyangdoseong City Wall — into game settings, storylines or characters, and must use AI tools in the development process.

The contest will run in two stages.

In the first round, participating teams will be tasked to submit prototypes, from which eight finalists will be chosen through written and presentation evaluations. The finalists will then advance to a development phase using NC AI's game-specialized AI suite VARCO, which includes VARCO 3D for asset creation and VARCO Sound for audio effects. Each finalist will receive 2 million won in production funding, along with mentoring and technical seminars from NC AI professionals.

Awards also include the Seoul Mayor's Award and a prize of 15 million won ($10,135) for the first placer, 7 million won for second, 4 million won each for two third place finishers and 1 million won each for four merit awardees.

Additional benefits include preferential points for entry into the Seoul Game Contents Center, follow-up promotional support and bonus points for university students applying for NC AI internships.

Applications are open through May 7 at the Seoul Business Agency website.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.