Smilegate Hope Studio has announced that 12 partners, ranging from game studios to IT giants and public institutions, are joining forces for the 2026 Youth eSports Festival. This social contribution initiative is designed to help children and teenagers from regional child welfare centers across the country explore careers in gaming and experience the culture firsthand. The lineup of participants includes the Nexon Foundation, Supercell, Kakao Games, the Korea Creative Content Agency, and Amazon Web Services.

These organizations are leveraging their expertise through a 'collective impact' model to support the event. New additions like the Gwangju Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency and the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency are teaming up with the Daejeon Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency to provide venue rentals and operational know-how for the eSports tournaments. The T1 eSports Academy is managing online educational programs and career counseling, while the Nexon Foundation and Supercell are lending their intellectual property for KartRider Rush Plus and Brawl Stars respectively.

Kakao Games is bringing its 'Visiting Friends Game Land' to the table—a mobile, experiential CSR content piece—while the Hankook Tire Welfare Foundation is ensuring everyone gets to the venue by providing 45-seater buses. Amazon Web Services and the Korea Creative Content Agency are chipping in with commemorative gifts and general operational support. Big Picture Interactive has taken the reins on tournament management, and the Korea Association of Regional Children's Centers is handling the recruitment and coordination of participants. All in all, 7,400 children and teens from 256 centers across three major regions are expected to participate.

The journey began back in May with online education, followed by qualifier rounds in June. The offline finals are scheduled for July 14 in Busan and July 15 in Gwangju, with an All-Star match and a broader gaming culture festival set for August 11 in Daejeon.

A representative from the Nexon Foundation remarked, "By expanding the scale of our regional tournaments in collaboration with public institutions in Busan and Gwangju this year, we hope to provide more children with the chance to experience eSports. Our goal is to see these children learn the values of collaboration and communication through gaming, ultimately fostering their healthy development."

A spokesperson for Supercell added, "It is truly meaningful to work alongside such a diverse group of game developers, IT firms, and public agencies. We remain committed to providing multifaceted support so that children in underserved areas who are passionate about games and eSports can pursue their dreams."

Meanwhile, Smilegate Hope Studio continues to expand its efforts in promoting a culture of joyful philanthropy through ongoing collaborations with various game companies and IP partners.