Krafton’s Bold Expansion in India: A $250M Investment Beyond Gaming

Krafton to Invest $250 Million in India, Expanding Beyond Gaming

Krafton, a prominent South Korean gaming company known for titles like PUBG and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), has announced plans to invest an additional $250 million in India over the next three to four years. This move signifies Krafton’s strategic shift towards expanding into AI, robotics, and deep tech, in addition to its core gaming business.

The new commitment brings Krafton’s total planned investment in India to over $500 million, including the $250 million already invested in the country since 2021. This investment is separate from Krafton’s participation in a $670 million India-focused growth fund established in collaboration with South Korean internet conglomerate Naver and investor Mirae Asset in December 2025. Krafton’s contribution to the growth fund was around $137 million at its initial close.

India has emerged as a pivotal market for Krafton, offering access to a vast population with over a billion internet subscribers and more than 700 million smartphone users. The company initially focused on gaming in India, with BGMI leading the way as a localized version of PUBG that has garnered over 260 million downloads. Krafton has also diversified its business through investments in Indian startups.

Despite facing challenges, including the ban of PUBG Mobile in 2020 and subsequent introduction of BGMI in 2021, Krafton has persevered in the Indian market. The company made strategic changes like transitioning servers to Microsoft’s Azure cloud and continued to invest in the region. With plans to launch BGMI Lite in India by the end of 2026, Krafton remains committed to its growth in the country.

Having invested in about 18 companies, including gaming studios like Nodwin Gaming, Loco, and Pratilipi, Krafton is actively fostering the Indian tech ecosystem. The recent meeting between Krafton chairman Chang Byung-gyu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscores the commitment to strengthening ties between India and South Korea in gaming and technology.

Furthermore, Krafton’s local operations have been expanding, with acquisitions like Pune-based Nautilus Mobile and the launch of KIGI Academy, aimed at nurturing talent in game development and digital creation. These initiatives reflect Krafton’s long-term vision for growth and innovation in the Indian market.

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