On the 12th, Kakao Games announced they hosted the 'Play Buddy 2025' showcase on the 8th at the Kakao AI Campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, to share the achievements of their assistive device support project aimed at improving game accessibility for disabled gamers.

The event was designed to celebrate the rebranding of their three-year support initiative into 'Play Buddy' and to highlight the tangible changes it has brought. As of 2025, the program has provided a total of 608 game assistive devices to 96 individuals with disabilities.

The gathering drew about 150 attendees, including Kakao Games CEO Han Sang-woo, representatives from The Beautiful Foundation, the Gyeonggi Assistive Technology Research Center, and the National Rehabilitation Center, alongside recipients and their families. The day was packed with project overviews, keynote speeches, personal testimonials, and a panel discussion exploring the future of inclusive gaming.

In one of the standout sessions, Kim Kang, CEO of Kangsters—the developers behind treadmills for wheelchair users—discussed how physical e-sports can genuinely shift the lives of disabled individuals, underlining the vital role assistive tech plays in leisure.

Three beneficiaries then took the stage to share how these devices have reshaped their gaming habits. One participant, Zoody, noted that the tech allowed them to return to the games and creative projects they had once given up on due to physical limitations, bringing a renewed sense of purpose to their life. The final panel featured Kakao Games Division Head Cho Jung-yeon and Hanshin University Associate Professor Choi Eun-kyung, who debated the technical and environmental requirements for a truly accessible gaming landscape.

A spokesperson for Kakao Games remarked, "'Play Buddy' is all about building an organic synergy between technology, policy, and field expertise to bridge the accessibility gap. We are committed to continuing this work with our professional partners to make a real difference in the gaming experience for disabled players."