Smilegate Futurelab said on March 19 it is recruiting participants for the indie game creation contest "Indigo" with total prize money of 10 million won.

Indigo, now in its fifth year, is a contest to discover early-stage indie game creation teams. It is open to teams developing PC and mobile indie games. Anyone can submit a game as long as it has not signed a publishing contract. Applications can be filed on the Indilog website through April 12.

The Indigo prize money was formed through voluntary donations from teams that completed the Smilegate Membership (SGM) incubating programme. More than 18 teams have joined the donations since the first contest.

This year, prize money was formed by SGM graduate teams Kassel Games, Indigo Blue and Lizard Smoothie. Smilegate Futurelab plans to award the "Kassel Games Prize", the "Lizard Smoothie Prize" and the "Indigo Blue Prize" named after the teams.

A total of 7 teams will be selected. Winning teams will be offered interview opportunities for the 18th class of the SGM indie game incubating programme. Judging will focus on how fun the game is and its originality.

Regardless of whether they win, all applicants will be offered one-on-one mentoring with industry professionals. A meetup event will also be held.

Oh Sook-hyun (오숙현), head of Smilegate Futurelab, said Indigo is a contest in which indie game creators help each other and grow. She said she hopes more creation teams will be able to present their games to the world, building on encouragement from senior creators.