Smilegate Future Lab announced on September 2 that it is operating the '2026 Youth Game Career Exploration Program' in partnership with the Gyeonggi Content Agency (GCA).

The program was designed to allow youth to experience the entire process of game creation, gain an understanding of the gaming industry, and explore career paths. It has been running since 2023 with the goals of expanding creative learning environments for future generations, promoting a healthy gaming culture, and nurturing gaming talent in Gyeonggi Province.

The program will run through November for around 200 5th and 6th-grade students across 10 elementary schools in Gyeonggi Province. Approximately 20 Future Lab educators with expertise in creative and digital education will visit each school.

The curriculum utilizes "AhaOho," a creative learning community app developed by Future Lab. Students will explore the "Game Universe" embedded in the app to experience various stages of game development—such as planning, graphics, programming, and sound—and create their own games. They will also engage in experience-based learning, documenting and sharing their work while exchanging feedback with peers.

At the end of 2026, Future Lab will host the "AhaOho Game Universe Exploration" Game Jam to share program outcomes. This creative workshop allows students to turn the ideas developed during class into concrete game designs and showcase results from each school.

Oh Sook-hyun, General Manager at Smilegate Future Lab, said, "We prepared this program to expand Future Lab's creative environment philosophy into public education and to help children take an interest in the game industry while envisioning their future career paths." She added, "Together with local governments and foundations, we will work to narrow regional educational gaps and continue supporting children so they can build self-learning capabilities through creative experiences."