Korea Game Society (Chairman: Wi Jung-hyun / Dean of Chung-Ang University's Virtual Convergence College) and Chung-Ang University's Immersive Media Convergence and Open Sharing System Center announced on the 29th that they successfully hosted the '2023 Global Game Challenge (GGC).'

The '2023 Global Game Challenge' is an event where students from game-related departments at domestic and international universities participate to compete in paper presentations, immersive media, and game content, and to discover outstanding talent. This year marked its 6th anniversary. The event was held at the 'Seoul Women's University 50th Anniversary Hall.'

This exhibition was hosted by the Korea Game Society and Chung-Ang University's Immersive Media Convergence and Open Sharing System Center. It was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korea Creative Content Agency, Game Rating and Administration Committee, Virtual Convergence Economy Forum, Content Future Convergence Forum, Next-Generation Convergence Content Industry Association, and Korea Metaverse Industry Association.

This challenge consisted of 'poster paper' presentations and an exhibition of completed immersive media and game content, artworks, and other related technologies and services created by participating students. A total of 105 student teams, including those from Chung-Ang University, Myongji College, Jeonju University, Gimpo University, and others in Korea, as well as Vietnam's PTIT and Thailand's Chiang Mai University, participated in the paper and work exhibition.

At the excellent paper awards ceremony, the GGC Excellent Paper Award went to Choi Ji-ye, Jin Ju-young, Lee Se-yun, Lee Yu-na, Lee Gi-han, and Go Hye-young (Seoul Women's University) for their 'Study on the Production of 'Dying Mate,' an Online-based Digital Experience and Design Service for a Good Death.' The GGC Excellent Presentation Award was given to Jeong So-mi, Kwon Dong-hwan, Kim Jin-woo, and Jeong Eun-mi (Andong University) for 'Analysis of the Game Industry in the Digital Age: Insights through Time-Series Trends, Clustering, and Correlation Analysis,' and to Kim Se-eun, Kim Hyun-seo, Lee Dae-kyung, Lee Si-young, Lim Chae-hyuk, Jin Hyun-jeong, and Choi Eun-kyung (Hanshin University) for 'The Past and Present of Game Broadcasting: What Happened to Riot in 2019?' The GGC Grand Prize for Exhibition went to Choi Ji-woong, Kang Min-jung, Jeong Seong-kwon, Jeong Ji-su, Shin Yi-seul, Kim Eun-jae, Lee Hyun-joo, Lee Eun-jin, and Jeong Ji-young (Myongji College) for 'Development of Virtual Reality Kiosk Educational Content for the Elderly.' The GGC Gold Prize for Exhibition was awarded to Na Chae-min, Yeom Jae-min, and Choi Hee-jae (Seoil University) for 'A Study on the Effectiveness Verification of Math Education Games Using Gamification Principles for Children,' and to Kim Seo-yeon, Kim Su-wan, Lee Eun-ji, Jo Yun-bin, and Han Hye-rim (Chung-Ang University) for 'Development of the Mobile Management Simulation Game 'LAUNDREAM.' The GGC Silver Prize for Exhibition went to Lee Ju-ho and Jang Hyun-jun (Soongsil University) for 'Game Development of a Music Metaverse Platform 'Project Walkman' Using a Music API.' The GGC Bronze Prize for Exhibition was awarded to Kim Hyun-joo, Hwang Ji-hye, Hwang Yun-sik, Park Jun-young, Lee Hye-jung, and Yun Hyeong-seop (Jeonju University) for 'Functional Game Development of 'NINJA RUN,' the Story of a Ninja's Adventure to Defeat Japanese Yokai.' The GGC Popularity Prize for Exhibition was awarded to Kim Ha-ram, Ahn Se-eun, Lee Seung-heon, and Choi Da-eun (Chung-Ang University) for 'Game Development of 'Forest Child.'

The judging was carried out by Professor Lee Eun-jin of Myongji College, Professor Kwon Soon-hyeong of the Korea Creative Content Agency's Game Human Resources Institute, Professor Kwon Jeong-min of Seoul National University of Education, Professor Nam Hyun-woo of Dongduk Women's University, Professor Shim Jae-yeon of Kyungdong University, and Professor Park Ju-hee of Kunsan National University.

Professor Kwon Jeong-min of Seoul National University of Education, who participated in the paper judging, commented, "The depth of game research is getting deeper with each passing year. The understanding of game culture is reaching a world-class level." He also said, "The award-winning paper 'Dying Mate' is a functional game that allows people to contemplate a good death in advance. While the themes of functional games so far have primarily been focused on learning, such as math and English, or on the cognitive functions of elderly people with dementia, this game is meaningful because it represents a new trend of games initiated by a new generation of developers that provides an opportunity to reflect on oneself and one's life."

Professor Nam Hyun-woo of Dongduk Women's University, who served on the exhibition judging panel, commented, "The '2023 GGC Work Exhibition' featured excellent works that were the result of capstone designs by undergraduate students from various universities. Despite the chilly weather, they came to the exhibition site and poured their passion into introducing their team's works in detail to the judges. The Grand Prize winner in the exhibition category, 'Development of Virtual Reality Kiosk Educational Content for the Elderly,' presented a highly complete and excellent demonstration based on the creative idea of helping the elderly who feel uncomfortable using restaurant kiosks, a problem caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the works were created by undergraduate students, we judged them to have high social and industrial value, and their potential for commercialization is promising if their level of completion is slightly improved."

Professor Wi Jung-hyun, head of Chung-Ang University's Immersive Media Convergence and Open Sharing System Center, which hosted the event, said, "This GGC was an event attended by university students from both Korea and abroad, and there were many works with creative ideas and innovative artistry. I have high expectations for the future of these students."