From Idea to VK Play: Launching the Accelerator for Useful Games for Indie Developers
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Create a game with educational value, receive mentoring support, and publish your project on the largest gaming platform.

Registration for the Accelerator for Useful Games started on September 15. Its program is aimed at indie developers who want to create projects at the intersection of the gaming industry and education. Participants must be at least 16 years old, with a separate nomination for those aged 12 and above.

What participants and winners will receive:

  • Practical support at all stages of development — from prototype to release.
  • Featuring on VK Play.
  • Mentorship from experts in the gaming industry.
  • Participation in educational modules on visual design, game design, programming, and integration of educational content.

Nomination for Beginners

For young developers aged 12 and up, organizers have created a special nomination from the Game Workshop “Ursula.” In it, participants will be able to create visual novels in the ink language using an adapted constructor without the need for serious programming.

“The main goal of the accelerator is to find and support talented indie developers for the further development of useful games in Russian game development. The term 'useful' here is not a value judgment; we have adapted the globally popular category of serious games into Russian. We are waiting for games on school subjects or on specific cross-cutting technologies – robotics, AI, programming – that could be used in clubs, schools, and for self-education,”— explains the president of the Association of Technology Circle Participants, leader of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berlok” Alexey Fedoseev.

The accelerator accepts applications until October 12, 2025. After registration, participants will be invited to an intensive educational program, online game jam, playtests, and a final pitch before the jury. The best teams will publish their games on VK Play and may offer them in educational programs of partners.

Join the community of developers who are changing the perception of the format of educational games. Registration is open on the site → games.kruzhok.org/accelerator.

The Accelerator for Useful Games is a joint program of the Kruzkovoye Movement of NTI, VK Play, and VK Education with the support of the Institute for Internet Development, IRD.