Source: Smilegate

Smilegate's global gaming platform, 'STOVE,' participated in Vietnam's largest gaming event, 'GameVerse 2026,' held at the SECC in Ho Chi Minh City from the 8th to the 9th, marking a full-scale push into the local market.

Ahead of the official launch of the all-class MMORPG 'Lord Nine,' STOVE operated an exclusive booth that drew significant interest from local users through pre-registration and a 'stamp rally' event featuring game demos. Additionally, the company introduced 'STOVE Vietnam'—the only open gaming platform that fully complies with local laws and game rating procedures—and showcased a diverse lineup of indie and retro classics from Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, including 'Doom's Hair Salon' and 'Tengai.'

A highlight of the event was the signing ceremony for a joint business agreement between Smilegate and VTC Online (VTCO), a subsidiary of a Vietnamese state-owned enterprise. Attended by Yang Sung-yeol, Head of Smilegate's Platform Division, and Le Viet Hoa, CEO of VTCO, the agreement establishes a partnership where Smilegate provides platform technology and operations, while VTCO manages local licensing and business development to jointly build a legal open game distribution system.

Building on this collaboration with VTCO, Smilegate has established a stable response system to support the acquisition of the G1 license, which is essential for game services in Vietnam. The company also plans to maximize accessibility for local users by introducing a local payment system and a web-based store platform.