Video games have always been a passion of mine. Whether playing with friends or exploring on my own, I would often lose myself for hours in digital worlds. It was only natural that, at some point, I wanted to start making games myself. In my last year of high school, I began entering weekend-long online game development competitions. Those short bursts of creativity left me dreaming of a career where I could design experiences, build worlds, and tell stories for others to enjoy. So when I entered POSTECH, I joined G-POS, the university’s only game development club, without a second thought.
Still, joining a club was only the beginning. I felt lost on where to go next and how to shape a path forward. Although POSTECH is actively attempting to open new courses in the field, game development and design courses are a relatively new concept throughout Korea, and my options to learn about them were limited. I signed up for a newly opened course on utilizing AI in game development, only to see it canceled because a grand total of two people registered—myself included. In fact, last semester there was only one other course in the entire university where students could learn topics directly associated with game development. Opportunities felt scarce, and I often wondered how to keep moving forward or where to look for guidance.
That is why this summer’s BetterGround@University Meetup was such a meaningful experience. The event brought together five university game development clubs, including ours, for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. The host of the event, Krafton, is one of the biggest video game publisher companies in South Korea, best known for publishing the globally famous first-person shooter (FPS) Player Unknown’s Battleground (PUBG: Battlegrounds). BetterGround is Krafton’s initiative to support university game development clubs, offering mentorship, resources, and opportunities to connect with peers and industry professionals. The program provided a chance for our club and four others to come together for a day of learning, sharing, and inspiration.
From a tour of the Jungle Campus, Krafton’s headquarters complex in Pangyo, and its education bootcamp programs, to a lecture on marketing by Jacob Pierce of PUBG’s Live Marketing Team, the sessions offered us practical insights into not just the craft but also the business of games. A career talk with current Krafton developers—from designers, artists, to programmers—was especially valuable, as they shared candidly about their own struggles and growth entering the industry and navigating their own paths. The day closed with a networking session where we exchanged stories, ideas, and encouragement with peers from other universities.
Perhaps most valuable of all was my realization and understanding that we are not alone on this path. Meeting mentors, alumni, and fellow students who share the same aspirations reminded me that there is a community out there—people willing to guide us, learn with us, and walk beside us. For someone who felt unsure about how to pursue a future in game development, that sense of belonging was both reassuring and inspiring, giving me the courage to take my first steps with confidence and the motivation to keep striving, knowing I am part of something larger than myself.
