South Korean GameDev companies express interest in entering the Uzbek market

Representatives of IT Park Uzbekistan, led by Makhliyo Muksinova, Services Export Development Director, held a meeting with a delegation of South Korean companies, including Nexon, Creators Factory, Studio Popcorn, Like Corporation (Unity), and Proxy Planet. The delegation comprised Bae Jung Yeon, Director of the Platform Division at Nexon Korea; Shin Seo Hong, CEO of Creators Factory; Hwang Jung Ho, CEO of Studio Popcorn; Choi Kang Bae, CEO of Like Corporation (Unity); and Choi Sam Ha, Co-Founder of Proxy Planet. During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation and explored opportunities for South Korean companies to enter the Uzbek market.

Nexon is a South Korean game development company founded in 1994. It is renowned for popular titles such as MapleStory, Dungeon & Fighter, and KartRider. The company currently employs in excess of 7 000 personnel globally, reporting an annual turnover of $6.98 billion in 2024.

The meeting aimed to present Uzbekistan’s potential as a platform for the company’s expansion, including the establishment of a publishing unit or development center. Nexon has already expressed interest in localizing its content and introducing solutions in Central Asia.

Creators Factory, a creative studio based in Seoul and founded in 1999, specializes in audio production for games, dubbing, and background music composition. Its portfolio includes projects such as Superuide, Tower of Fantasy, and other popular titles.

During the visit, the parties discussed the company’s entry into the Uzbek market and plans to hire a local sound engineer. The company intends to provide professional voiceover services for Korean game projects with the involvement of Uzbek specialists.

Studio Popcorn is an animation studio specializing in IP content, founded in 2020 in Seoul. Its works include Bickleberry, Hungry BOBO, Henry Danger, Ninja Hattori-kun, and Papa DOC.

The studio is interested in opening an office in Uzbekistan, training local talent in animation, and offering dubbing and content creation services for both Asian and Western markets. The meeting included discussions on further steps for the company’s integration into the Uzbek ecosystem.

Like Corporation (Unity), established in 2010, focuses on training game developers in Unity, delivering AI-focused courses, and conducting hands-on educational programs. The company also provides marketing and brand consulting services.

In April 2025, Like Corporation held a meeting with IT Park representatives in Seoul, presenting plans to launch training programs and establish an office in Uzbekistan. During the current meeting, negotiations continued on adapting educational programs for the local audience.

Proxy Planet, a consulting company founded in 2023 in Seoul, supports game development firms in expanding into new markets, attracting investments, and developing esports and educational initiatives.

Proxy Planet is already supporting IT Park in attracting Korean companies — one outcome of this partnership has been the launch of Eden Labs, a game publishing company, in Uzbekistan. The meeting focused on further strengthening this cooperation.   

IT Park Uzbekistan continues to strengthen international cooperationin the field of gaming technologies by creating favorable conditions for foreign companies to enter the Uzbek market. The initiatives and discussions with representatives of the South Korean gaming industry mark a significant step toward developing a local game development ecosystem, creating new jobs, and facilitating the transfer of advanced expertise. IT Park remains committed to providing comprehensive support for such projects, ensuring their sustainable integration and the expansion of Uzbekistan’s export potential.