Tencent and the Game Culture Foundation (GCF) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for strategic cooperation aimed at fostering a sustainable global gaming ecosystem and advancing the cultural and social value of games.

Byung-han Yoo, Chairman of the Game Culture Foundation (left) and Danny Marti, Head of Public Affairs and Global Policy at Tencent (right), at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The signing ceremony took place on May 19 at the Game Culture Foundation in Seoul, with Danny Marti, Head of Public Affairs and Global Policy at Tencent, and Byung-han Yoo, Chairman of the Game Culture Foundation, in attendance. The agreement marks a significant milestone in the two organizations’ long-term strategic collaboration.

Under the MOU, Tencent and GCF will cooperate across several key areas, including hosting international symposiums focused on gaming policy and culture, promoting a broader understanding of the cultural and social impact of games, and supporting the continued growth and development of the gaming industry. 

“We are pleased to partner with the Game Culture Foundation to support meaningful dialogue around the cultural and social value of games and contribute to the long-term development of the global gaming ecosystem,” said Danny Marti, Head of Public Affairs and Global Policy at Tencent. “As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Tencent remains committed to being a trusted partner in supporting the growth of Korea’s gaming industry and ecosystem.”

Byung-han Yoo, Chairman of the Game Culture Foundation, also said, “Games have the power to transcend borders and connect people across cultures. Through close collaboration with industry partners like Tencent, the Game Culture Foundation aims to advance a healthy and responsible gaming culture – strengthening our shared commitment to ensuring that the gaming ecosystem grows in a way that benefits creators, players, and communities alike.”

Through this partnership, Tencent and GCF aim to strengthen cross-border dialogue and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive gaming environment. 

In addition to this partnership, Tencent has continued to collaborate with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) to support the growth of the country’s gaming industry and foster the next generation of gaming talent. On May 18, Tencent successfully concluded the ‘Next Level: Tencent Talks’ seminar, held in collaboration with the Game Institute, a professional game development training program by KOCCA. Located at Pangyo, South Korea, the Game Institute equips students for careers in the gaming industry.

“Next Level, Tencent Talks,” jointly organized by Tencent and Korea Creative Content Agency.

Following the strong reception of last year’s program, this year’s seminar featured sharings from Tencent, as well as fireside chats and Q&A sessions designed to provide students at the Game Institute with practical insights into global game development, career pathways, and emerging industry trends. Speakers included JungHo Lee, Senior Game Analysis Insight Manager from Tencent Game Research Centre, and Christina Choi, Business Development Manager from Tencent Cloud Korea and Global Business Planning Division, whose talks delved into creative strategies across the game development cycle and the AI-powered technology in game production.

Notably, Tencent’s latest AI technologies applied to game development, including the Hunyuan 3D generation engine, drew strong interest, highlighting how these tools enhance creative innovation and cultural storytelling. Participants explored the evolving creative environment empowered by AI, where game developers could leverage technology to build stronger storytelling and enrich player experiences.   Meanwhile, sessions introducing the game development workflow and various roles within global game studios provided students with valuable opportunities to gain a clearer understanding of potential career pathways.

Building on its strong collaboration with Korean industry partners like GCF and KOCCA, Tencent remains committed to nurturing the next generation of gaming talent and deepening engagement with Korea’s broader game industry ecosystem.