Krafton, the South Korean video game developer renowned for its popular game, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), has unveiled ambitious expansion plans for the Indian online gaming market. The company’s CEO, Sean Hyunil Sohn, shared details during a recent media interaction, shedding light on their strategic goals and upcoming initiatives.
Krafton is set to introduce several new games tailored specifically for the Indian gaming community in the coming year. According to Sean Hyunil Sohn, they even have plans to potentially launch one or two games before the end of the year. This move underlines the company’s commitment to catering to the diverse and rapidly-growing Indian gaming audience.
Since March 2021, Krafton has made significant investments in the Indian gaming ecosystem, totaling $140 million across 11 startups. Notable recipients of their investments include NODWIN Gaming, Loco, Pratilipi, Kuku FM, and One Impression, among others. The company recently announced an additional commitment of $150 million over the next 2-3 years, further emphasizing their dedication to the Indian gaming industry.
Sohn emphasized that BGMI is not just a game but a cultural and social experience. Krafton’s focus is on building a strong community, rooted in fan-first research. This approach has resonated well with Indian gamers, contributing to the game’s success, IANS reported.
In a bid to foster cross-cultural gaming experiences, Krafton is hosting an India-Korea invitational match featuring eight winning teams from BGIS (Battlegrounds Mobile India Series) and eight Esports teams from South Korea. This initiative aims to bring together gaming enthusiasts from both countries and promote international collaboration.
Additionally, Krafton will release a documentary chronicling the development and story of the ‘Indian Faction’ in Road To Valor: Empires, showcasing their commitment to India’s gaming culture.
This expansion and investment announcement comes after the Indian government’s ban on Krafton’s PUBG in 2021 due to national security concerns. BGMI was subsequently launched as the Indian version of PUBG Mobile, exclusively for Indian players, and it has since gained immense popularity. Krafton worked diligently to address concerns related to server locations and data security, ultimately leading to the game’s triumphant return on May 30, 2023. The government allowed BGMI to resume operations on a three-month trial approval basis.
Krafton’s continued investments, focus on community-building, and the introduction of new games indicate a promising future for the company in the Indian gaming market, further solidifying its position as a leading player in the industry. Gamers in India can anticipate exciting developments from Krafton in the near future, with more announcements expected before the Diwali festival.
