KRAFTON eyes bigger play in India with fresh investments and acquisitions
South Korean mobile game provider KRAFTON, the company behind Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is doubling down on its India investments. With $200 million already pumped into the country, the company is actively looking for new opportunities, including potential acquisitions.
India ranks among KRAFTON’s top five markets globally, driven by a mobile-first gaming culture, rising smartphone adoption, and a young, tech-savvy audience. The company believes the Indian gaming industry will become much larger and more impactful over the next few years.
KRAFTON India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn speaking to a news agency PTI, he said, “We want to double down on gaming and its addressable area because we believe now it is time for the gaming industry to become much more sizable and impactful. And we see a much bigger potential for the next 2-3 years.”
While KRAFTON does not disclose country-specific revenue, India is a key revenue driver and one of the biggest user bases for the company.
Favourable market conditions driving growth
India’s steadily growing economy and the increasing number of smartphone users are major factors behind KRAFTON’s bullish outlook. Sohn noted that while India’s gaming market is still smaller than global counterparts, its mobile-first gaming approach makes it unique.
“So other countries that are in more mature stages, have gone through (the path of) consoles, PCs, and mobiles now. But in India, gamers started with playing games from mobile, that is a very unique difference,” he said.
Additionally, India’s young and dynamic population strengthens the industry’s potential. KRAFTON believes these factors make India a highly attractive market for long-term investments.
Looking at acquisitions and game development in India
Beyond gaming, KRAFTON has been investing in digital entertainment and tech sectors in India. With strong financial performance in 2024, the company is ready to expand its investment portfolio further.
“We will not stop investing… say at USD 200-300 million. We have invested $200 million so far, but I think we are still actively looking at opportunities to invest and maybe acquire, if there is an attractive company to acquire and work with. We are very active,” Sohn stated.
KRAFTON sees game development talent in India as a major asset. The company is keen to partner with passionate developers and believes India has the capability to create games for global markets.
“I think there is a lot of potential for talent which can tap into the industry, but most people are not aware that gaming is a very serious career opportunity,” Sohn said.
He also emphasised the need for support from the government and educational institutions to build a strong talent pipeline for the gaming industry.
