Opening of Korea Functional Game Research Institute at Incheon Global Campus... Utilizing Game Technology in Education and Healthcare

On the 22nd, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority held an opening ceremony for the Korea Serious Games Institute (KSGI) at George Mason University Korea, located within the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) in Songdo International City.

The event was attended by over 80 domestic and international game industry professionals and academics, including Yoon Won-seok, head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority; Joshua Park, representative of George Mason University Korea; Rick Davis, dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at the American campus; Kim Mi-kyung, professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine; and Lim Ji-hyun, former vice president of Kakao Games.

The institute plans to conduct research and development in the medical and educational fields by integrating games into 'serious games' based on medical simulation and virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)-based diagnostic and training solutions. Professor Nam Sang-eom of George Mason University's Department of Computer Game Design was appointed as the inaugural director of the institute.

The institute focuses on providing solutions that utilize game technology in various fields such as education, health, and training beyond simple entertainment. It is expected to serve as a starting point for active international joint research through global collaboration with the Virginia Serious Games Institute (VSGI), established by George Mason University in 2014.

Going forward, through applied research, community engagement activities, and startup support, the institute is expected to create new growth engines for the Korean game industry and secure competitiveness in the global game market.

Professor Nam stated, "The Korea Serious Games Institute will create social value in various fields such as education and healthcare by utilizing game technology and will present the future of the game industry."

Yoon Won-seok, head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, said, "The opening of the institute has established a new growth engine for the Korean game industry. We hope to actively utilize and exchange resources from the American campus to play a significant role in enhancing the competitiveness of regional projects and realizing our vision."