Krafton Eyes Acquisitions to Boost PUBG, BGMI, and Esports Growth

South Korean gaming giant Krafton, best known for creating global hits like PUBG Mobile and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is set to strengthen its presence in the fast-growing Indian gaming market. According to reports, Krafton plans to invest $50 million annually while also exploring strategic acquisitions to expand its footprint in mobile gaming, esports, and digital content platforms across India.

This push comes after Krafton already invested nearly $200 million in Indian gaming startups and digital content companies, representing about 9% of its total global investments. Earlier this year, the company acquired Nautilus Mobile, the developer of popular cricket games, for $14 million and led a $53 million funding round for fintech major Cashfree Payments.

The company’s India head, Sean Sohn, emphasized that while India’s gaming industry is still in its early stages, it holds enormous potential. India already has over 444 million gamers, growing 12% in the last year, with more than 30% willing to spend on mobile games. With 65% of India’s population under 35, the country offers a massive esports and mobile gaming audience.

Krafton’s flagship title BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) has been one of the driving forces behind the surge in competitive gaming and esports tournaments in India. Despite challenges from the government’s crackdown on Chinese apps, Krafton successfully reintroduced PUBG Mobile in 2023 as BGMI, ensuring compliance with data privacy and security regulations.

With India already ranking among Krafton’s top five global markets, contributing nearly 10% of its $1.1 billion global revenue in the first half of 2025, the company aims to build the next big hit in battle royale games and online multiplayer experiences. Its commitment highlights India’s rising importance in the global esports ecosystem and mobile gaming economy.