Krafton doubles down on India with another $250M bet beyond gaming

Krafton, the South Korean gaming company renowned for games like PUBG and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), has announced a further $250 million investment in India over a span of three to four years. The new investment will elevate Krafton's total planned investment in India to over $500 million. This includes the $250 million already invested since 2021, as well as the $670 million commitment to a India-focused growth fund established with South Korean internet giant Naver and investor Mirae Asset in December 2025.

It is essential to note that the $250 million pledge is distinct from the growth fund, according to Krafton. India serves as a crucial market for Krafton, providing access to the world's most populous nation with over a billion internet subscribers and 700 million smartphone users. Initially, Krafton focused on gaming, primarily through BGMI, a localized iteration of PUBG that has amassed more than 260 million downloads.

However, the company has since diversified its portfolio, investing in Indian startups to broaden its scope beyond gaming. Krafton's journey in India has faced challenges, including a government ban on PUBG Mobile in 2020 and subsequent ban and reinstatement of BGMI in 2022. Despite these setbacks, Krafton has persevered, investing in 18 companies, including gaming studios, and is planning to launch BGMI Lite in India by the end of 2026.

The investment commitment comes after Krafton chairman Chang Byung-gyu met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where they discussed potential collaborations in gaming, technology, and other emerging sectors. Moreover, Krafton has been expanding its local operations, acquiring Pune-based Nautilus Mobile, the creator of the Real Cricket franchise, and launching KIGI Academy, an industry-academia program focused on training game development and digital creation talent.