By Sagar V. Mankar Krafton, the company behind the wildly successful Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is taking a bold step into casual gaming with its latest offering – CookieRun India. This new venture represents a significant expansion of Krafton’s gaming portfolio in one of the world’s largest gaming markets.
Working hand-in-hand with South Korean developer Devsisters, Krafton has created a special Indian version of the globally popular CookieRun series. What makes this release particularly interesting is its strong focus on Indian culture and preferences, showing Krafton’s commitment to understanding and serving local gamers.
Gaming enthusiasts can now pre-register for CookieRun India on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Early birds who sign up will receive special rewards, including the powerful Knight Cookie character with unique abilities and a generous bonus of 200,000 in-game coins to kickstart their gaming journey.
Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India, emphasizes this approach, stating that their partnership with Devsisters aims to deliver an experience that resonates deeply with Indian players while maintaining the charm of the original CookieRun world.
This launch is part of Krafton’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in India’s growing gaming market. The timing couldn’t be better, as Indian gamers are increasingly willing to spend on mobile games. Recent data from Lumikai, a gaming venture fund, shows that the average revenue per paying user in India grew by 15% to reach $22 in FY24.
Krafton’s commitment to India goes beyond just game launches. The company has already introduced several India-specific titles, including Garuda Saga, a role-playing game, and Bullet Echo India, a tactical shooter. They’ve even added Indian elements to their existing games, such as incorporating Bollywood stars Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone as playable characters in BGMI.
The company’s investment in India’s gaming ecosystem is substantial, with a promised $150 million dedicated to Indian gaming and interactive entertainment startups over the next few years.
Further strengthening their position, Krafton has established the Krafton India Gaming Incubator to nurture local gaming talent. They’ve also partnered with IMM Investment, becoming an anchor investor in their first India fund, to invest in non-gaming startups in India.