The Busan Indie Connect Festival 2026 (BIC Festival 2026, hereafter BIC 2026) Awards concluded successfully at BEXCO, officially announcing the major winners in both the General and Rookie categories.

The City of Busan (Mayor Jeon Jae-soo), the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency (Acting President Lee Jae-deok), and the BIC Festival Organizing Committee (Chairman Joo Sung-pil, hereafter BIC Organizing Committee) successfully wrapped up the BIC 2026 Awards ceremony held on the main stage of Hall 2, BEXCO Exhibition Center I. The awards were divided into the General category for established developers and the Rookie category for student developers, with winners selected through a rigorous judging process. To strengthen support for developers, the prize pool was increased, and a new benefit of free booth space for the following year was added.

Following intense deliberation, the Grand Prix, the highest honor in the General category, was awarded to Noio's GARBAGE COUNTRY, which received a ₩10 million cash prize and a free booth for next year. The Rising Star award, the top honor in the Rookie category, went to Team Yūrei for Yūrei, earning them a ₩5 million prize and a free booth for next year. Additionally, the Jury Prize was awarded to Tokatonton: One-Armed Blacksmith by Semo Games in the General category (₩5 million prize and a free booth for next year) and UpBRELLA by Ably in the Rookie category (free booth for next year). All winning teams will receive official medals and digital emblems.

In the genre-specific awards, winners in the General category included: 'Spring Returns to School' by ChildFund Korea for Social Impact; 'Witch's Lounge' by Wolsang Studio for Audio; 'Cat Squeeze' by Maowor Studio for Casual; and 'Seven Trials' by Newcore Games for Action. Narrative honors went to 'Lea, Lars, Samson and Ivy. Their 1 Year' by Idun Studio; Experimental to 'Conservation System' by Banji Games; Game Design to 'Necro Sweeper' by Studio An; and Art to 'Finding Polka' by lidlocks. In the Rookie category, 'Send Reptilians to the National Assembly!' by MyTrix won for Social Impact; 'Choozle!' by Byeol-muri for Casual; 'Amalgam' by Triple Kill Interactive for Action; 'This World Syndrome' by Isekai Research Institute for Narrative; and 'Folder Escape' by Team Crux for Experimental. 'Soom' by Smallboots swept two categories: Game Design and Art.

BIC Organizing Committee Chairman Joo Sung-pil stated, "I would like to thank the jury for discovering such excellent games among the 856 entries. I hope the newly established prize money and booth support will serve as a practical stepping stone for the developers' growth, and we will continue to develop support measures for creators."

Lee Jung-yeop, Chairman of the Judging Subcommittee, remarked, "There were so many high-quality entries that the judging process required deep deliberation. Regardless of whether they won an award, I hope all creators use their experience and exchanges at BIC as an opportunity to take the next step forward."

Meanwhile, the event has expanded online, with the virtual exhibition continuing on the official BIC website until Friday, August 28. Visitors can explore a variety of entries, including the award-winning titles, through the platform, and some games are available for download and hands-on play.