Smilegate’s global game platform, STOVE, took centre stage at Gameverse 2026, Vietnam’s premier gaming event held at the SECC in Ho Chi Minh City from the 8th to the 9th.

On the 11th, the company confirmed that they used the event to engage directly with local players, signalling a serious push into the global market. Smilegate showcased its MMORPG Lord Nine, unveiled the STOVE Vietnam platform, and inked a joint business agreement with VTC Online.

With the official Vietnamese launch of Lord Nine on the horizon, Smilegate set up a booth to welcome local fans. They ran a three-tier stamp rally, covering pre-registration, game demos, and social media follows. The strategy of handing out mousepads, mugs, and tote bags drew significant attention and participation from the crowd.

Smilegate also introduced STOVE Vietnam to local fans. Since the event kicked off on the 8th, they have been rolling out titles from indie developers both home and abroad. Smilegate emphasized that STOVE is the only open platform in the country that fully complies with local laws and game censorship procedures, effectively acting as a bridge for indie creators to enter the Vietnamese market. The lineup features Korean indie titles like 'Doom's Hair Salon' and 'The Girl Who Drew the Line Puzzle,' alongside Vietnam’s own 'Scourge,' and retro classics from Japan’s Psikyo such as 'Tengai' and 'Gunbird 2'.

The partnership signing with VTC Online was a highlight of the event. On hand for VTC Online were CEO Lê Việt Hòa, VP of Publishing Hoàng Nhật Linh, and VP of Business Development Lee Yong-deuk. Representing Smilegate were Platform Division Head Yang Sung-yeol, Vietnam Branch Manager Kim Sung-il, and Platform Service Development Director Kwon Jae-wook. The two parties have agreed to build a legitimate open game distribution system tailored to the local market. While Smilegate provides the platform, tech, and operations, VTC Online leverages its status as a state-owned affiliate to handle censorship management and local business expansion.

Smilegate is betting on the combination of its own platform expertise and VTC Online’s local network and regulatory clout. By partnering with VTC Online, they have established a reliable pipeline to navigate the process of obtaining gaming licenses in Vietnam. They are also integrating local payment systems to make life easier for players, complemented by a web-based storefront for added convenience.