Source: Korea Game Society

The Korea Game Society (KGS) announced on the 3rd that the 2026 KGS × Nexon Games National University Student Digital Art Contest, co-hosted and organized by the KGS Culture and Arts Division and Nexon Games, concluded successfully at the University of Engineering Korea on May 30.

Held under the slogan Create Better Worlds!, the contest was open to currently enrolled and leave-of-absence students from universities and equivalent educational institutions nationwide. Submissions were accepted across all digital art categories, including both AI and non-AI works, with a higher number of student creators participating compared to previous years.

This year’s event was particularly significant for the broader participation of students from diverse universities across the country. The results demonstrate that the contest is establishing itself as a key industry-academic collaboration platform where university students in gaming and digital art can showcase their creative capabilities.

The judging panel included Kim Yong-ha and Ahn Gyeong-seop, known for their work on Nexon Games' flagship title, Blue Archive. Drawing on their professional expertise in game development, the judges conducted a comprehensive evaluation based on the completeness, creativity, and digital artistic expression of the entries.

The Grand Prize was awarded to Lee Ye-bin from Hansung University for 'Judge of the Blue Sanctuary.' The Nexon Games Award went to Jeong San-seong from Myongji College's Department of AI Game Software for 'Ember.

The Excellence Awards were presented to Seok Seo-young (Myongji College, Department of Communication Design) for 'White Line Dragon,' Kim Hyo-eun (Hongik University) for 'Warrior of the Blue Dragon,' and Kim Ji-ah (Hansung University) for 'Evil God of the White Night.

The Runner-up Awards were given to Ahn Ji-min (Korea Creative Content Agency, Game Talent Institute 8th Batch) for 'Cheering Under the Sun and Moon,' Choi Hye-in (Daegu University, Department of Game) for 'Hunter Forged by the Desert,' Liang Zhengjing (The Catholic University of Korea) for 'The star-forsaken sword-bearer,' Jang Ha-young (Kongju National University of Film and Media) for 'Moonlight,' Lee Go-eun (Hongik University, Department of Game Graphic Design) for 'Trixie, the Electric Bat,' Kang Min-seong (Gimpo College, Department of Game Contents) for 'Kafra,' and Oh Seo-yeon (Kaywon University of Art and Design) for 'Soul Hunter.

The winning entries are also scheduled to be considered for the art exhibition at the Busan Indie Connect Festival (BIC 2026) this coming August.

Lee Eun-jin stated that this year's contest served as an opportunity to confirm the high level of interest among student creators, noting the expanded range of participating universities. She added that the society plans to continue developing the event through collaborations with various game companies, enabling students to gain industry-relevant creative experience and showcase their potential on a larger stage.

The contest was hosted and organized by the Korea Game Society and Nexon Games, with sponsorship from the Korea AI Game Association, the Next-Generation Convergence Technology Industry Association, Naver OGQ Market, and Anchor Node.