856 Games Flock to BIC

The Busan Indie Connect Festival has set a new all-time record. BIC 2026 received 856 submissions from 57 countries. This is approximately a 44% increase from last year's 592 entries. After screening, around 180 works from 41 countries were officially selected, and early bird ticket sales have also begun.

Selection was divided into three categories. The General Division and Rookie Division were chosen by a professional jury, while Connect Pick was selected by voting from official BIC crew members. The criteria used by the jury and the games championed by crew members who actually played them resulted in different lists.

The event will be held both online and offline. The online festival runs for three weeks from August 7 to 28, while the offline event takes place from August 14 to 16 at Hall 2 of BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1 in Busan. Early bird discounts are 20% off all ticket types. Online tickets and business passes can be purchased until August 5, and offline tickets until August 11.

What this stage produces will be proven this summer. Circle from Dot, based in Haeundae, which brought a demo to BIC three years ago, will launch its debut title 'Kusan: City of Wolves' globally on July 30 and return to BEXCO with their released game in hand. The 44% increase in submissions within a year means word has spread that this pathway actually works. The route of getting validated in Busan and going global is now drawn on the map.