What Does Smilegate Do?

Total employees1214
HeadquartersSeongnam-si
Founded2002

Smilegate is a South Korean video game developer and publisher, globally recognized for creating and servicing massively popular online and mobile games. Founded in 2002 by Kwon Hyuk-bin, the company has grown into a major player in the entertainment industry, best known for its flagship first-person shooter, CrossFire, one of the most played video games of all time with over 1 billion registered users. Smilegate also developed the critically acclaimed MMORPG Lost Ark and the popular mobile RPG Epic Seven. With a commitment to creating 'fun' and 'touching hearts' through its diverse portfolio, Smilegate continues to expand its global reach through Smilegate Entertainment (game development), Smilegate Megaport (publishing), Smilegate Investment, and the Smilegate Foundation, aiming to become a comprehensive global entertainment company.

Where Is Smilegate's Headquarters?

Smilegate officeSmilegate officeSmilegate officeSmilegate office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

Serves as the central command for Smilegate's worldwide operations, encompassing game development, publishing strategy, research and development, corporate planning, and global business management.

Notable Features:

A modern, multi-building campus designed to foster creativity and collaboration. Features include open workspaces, employee wellness facilities (cafes, fitness center, library, childcare), an auditorium, 'Future Lab' for innovation, and various themed rest areas.

Work Culture:

Promotes a culture of innovation, passion for games, and collaboration. Known for its 'playground for creators' philosophy, encouraging employee growth, well-being, and a balance between intensive work and creative exploration. Flat organizational structure is encouraged in development teams.

HQ Significance:

The Pangyo HQ strategically positions Smilegate within South Korea's primary tech and gaming ecosystem, facilitating talent acquisition, industry partnerships, and access to cutting-edge technology.

Values Reflected in HQ: The campus design and amenities reflect Smilegate's values of innovation, employee well-being, community, and a commitment to creating a leading global entertainment company.

Location:

Smilegate maintains a robust global presence through its headquarters in South Korea and various international offices and partnerships across Asia, North America, and Europe. Key functions supported globally include game development (Smilegate Entertainment, Smilegate RPG, Smilegate Barcelona), publishing (Smilegate Megaport), localization, marketing, customer support, R&D, and regional business development. This network allows Smilegate to develop, publish, and service games like CrossFire, Lost Ark, and Epic Seven for a worldwide audience, tailoring strategies to diverse regional markets.

Street Address:

344 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu

City:

Seongnam-si

State/Province:

Gyeonggi-do

Country:

South Korea

Where Else Does Smilegate Operate Around the World?

Barcelona, Spain

Address: Avenida Diagonal, 177, planta 10, 08018, Barcelona

To establish a strong game development foothold in Europe, tap into the diverse talent pool, and create high-quality games with global appeal, particularly for Western audiences.

Bellevue, Washington, USA

Address: 10900 NE 4th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA (Example Address for Smilegate Entertainment America)

To expand Smilegate's presence and manage its game services in North America, one of the largest gaming markets, ensuring tailored experiences for local players.

Shanghai, China

Address: [Specific address not publicly listed, operates through local entities/partnerships]

To cater to the massive Chinese gaming community, navigate local regulations, and maximize the success of Smilegate's IPs in China through localized content and services.

Buying Intent Signals for Smilegate

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading Smilegate? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, Smilegate' leadership includes:

Kwon Hyuk-bin - Founder & Chairman, Smilegate Holdings (Chief Visionary Officer)
Sung Joon Ho - CEO, Smilegate Holdings
Jang In-ah (Ina Jang) - CEO, Smilegate Entertainment & Smilegate Megaport
Chi Won-gil (Geum Kang Sun) - Chief Creative Officer (CCO) & Director, Lost Ark, Smilegate RPG

Who's Investing in Smilegate?

Smilegate has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Primarily privately held by Founder Kwon Hyuk-bin.
Engages in strategic partnerships for publishing and regional operations, such as with Tencent for CrossFire in China and Amazon Games for Lost Ark in the West. These are operational/publishing partnerships rather than direct equity investments into Smilegate Holdings itself in most disclosed cases.

What Leadership Changes Has Smilegate Seen Recently?

Hire1
Exits0

Smilegate strategically appoints leaders to drive its global entertainment vision. In late 2023/early 2024, a key leadership change occurred at Smilegate Holdings to strengthen professional management and accelerate global growth.

New Appointments:

Sung Joon Ho, Sung Joon Ho appointed as new CEO of Smilegate Holdings. Previously Head of Smilegate's Future Lab and other roles, he brings extensive experience within the company to this top leadership position to guide its next phase of growth.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used bySmilegate?

Discover the tools Smilegate uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Smilegate Email Formats and Examples

Smilegate likely uses standardized corporate email formats for its employees. While specific internal patterns are not publicly detailed, common structures in the tech and gaming industry involve combinations of employee names and the company domain. For official communication, always verify email addresses through trusted channels.

Common formats could be [first].[last]@smilegate.com or [first_initial][last_name]@smilegate.com or [username]@smilegate.com for certain departments.

Format

jane.doe@smilegate.com or jdoe@smilegate.com

Example

70%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About Smilegate?

thisisgame.comMay 16, 2024

Smilegate Hope Studio Launches New Mobile Game 'Puffy Story' Globally

Smilegate's Hope Studio has globally launched 'Puffy Story,' a new mobile puzzle game. This release expands Smilegate's diverse portfolio into the casual gaming sector, aiming to offer a lighthearted and engaging experience for a wide audience worldwide....more

News1 KoreaJanuary 2, 2024

Smilegate Holdings Appoints Sung Joon-ho as New CEO to Spearhead Global Growth

Smilegate Holdings announced the appointment of Sung Joon-ho as its new CEO. Founder Kwon Hyuk-bin transitioned from the CEO role to Chairman. This leadership change is intended to strengthen professional management and accelerate the company's global expansion and new business initiatives....more

crossfirestars.comDecember 10, 2023

Smilegate Concludes Thrilling CrossFire Stars (CFS) 2023 Grand Finals

Smilegate successfully hosted the CrossFire Stars (CFS) 2023 Grand Finals in Chengdu, China, where Chinese team AG.N CELECA clinched the championship title. The event highlighted intense international competition and robust viewership, reaffirming CrossFire's significant global esports presence....more

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