Mason Korea launches Korea Serious Game Institute

Mason Korea recently hosted the opening ceremony for its Korea Serious Game Institute (KSGI), marking the global expansion of George Mason University’s Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI), which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. KSGI is set to lead innovation in Korea's gaming industry while advancing the use of serious games in education, therapy, and social awareness.

Professor Sang Nam, director of George Mason's Computer Game Design Program and codirector of VSGI, has been appointed as KSGI’s inaugural director. The institute will work closely with Mason Korea’s Industry-University Collaboration Foundation to drive its mission forward.

More than 120 distinguished guests attended the ceremony, including Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the National Assembly; Yun Won-seok, commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA); Park Byung-geun, CEO of the IGC Foundation; Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts; Professor Kim Mi-kyung from Seoul National University College of Medicine; and Lim Ji-hyun, former vice president of Kakao Games.

“Serious games go beyond entertainment to unlock possibilities in education, rehabilitation, and raising social awareness,” said Ahn, who is a medical doctor, businessperson, and software entrepreneur. “KSGI will play a pivotal role in driving this transformation.”

Ahn expressed hope that KSGI would contribute significantly to Korea’s gaming industry while advancing education and health initiatives. He also emphasized the need for collaboration to fully realize the potential of serious games in Korea.

IFEZA Commissioner Yun Won-seok said the institute would be a new growth engine for Korea’s gaming industry. “This initiative continues the MOU for promoting industry-academia collaboration. I hope KSGI leverages resources from the U.S. campus to enhance local business competitiveness and achieve greater vision.”

Other speakers, including Don Marinelli, co-founder of Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center, expressed optimism about KSGI’s potential to drive innovation in both South Korea and the global gaming community.

Following the ceremony, Professor Kim Mi-kyung and her students from Seoul National University’s Department of Forensic Medicine held discussions on practical applications of serious games in forensic science. Kim highlighted the potential of serious games to revolutionize forensic education and research, underscoring KSGI’s capacity to develop effective tools for training and field investigations. The institute is actively exploring how real-world scenario-based learning through serious games can enhance field-response capabilities.

A panel discussion on “Next-Generation Games: Emerging Technologies and Global Trends” was a key highlight of the event. Moderated by Nam, the panel featured Davis; James Casey, associate professor of computer game design and codirector of VSGI; Jeon Jinsoo, former CEO of Superlabs; and Sun Kyun Moon, education lead at Microsoft Korea. The discussion focused on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies in shaping the gaming industry and propelling the development of serious games.

“KSGI will serve as a vital platform connecting Korea and the world by tackling educational challenges and addressing social issues through serious games,” said Mason Korea Campus Dean Joshua Park. “Mason Korea is committed to supporting the development of serious games in Korea, enabling them to create meaningful social impact across diverse domains."