By Sagar V. Mankar KRAFTON, the South Korean video game giant known for popular titles like PUBG and BGMI, has announced its intention to establish a Research and Development (R&D) facility in India by next year.
Sean Hyunil Sohn, the head of KRAFTON’s India business, mentioned that this new facility will work on developing or publishing games tailored to Indian culture. While the exact location is still under discussion, Bangalore and Pune are among the top contenders.
The announcement was made during the IDGS Gaming Conclave on August 12 in New Delhi, where Sohn attended as the Vice President of the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGC).
Talking to the press, Sohn emphasized that KRAFTON is committed to launching new games for the Indian market. These games could be developed either in India or sourced from other regions. Through this facility, they aim to build a high-quality development team within India to produce games that resonate with local cultural elements.
India is one of KRAFTON’s top three markets in terms of user base, and the demand for digital entertainment, particularly gaming, is rapidly increasing. However, Sohn highlighted several challenges the Indian gaming industry facing:
- Lack of top-quality talent
- Limited history of game development
- Insufficient infrastructure for IT education
- Perception issues surrounding gaming as a career
Sohn stressed the need to shift perceptions about the gaming industry, noting that it can have a positive impact on the country’s economy and technological growth. He suggested several measures to overcome these challenges:
- Educational support from the government
- Improved infrastructure in schools and homes
- Promotion of coding and game development
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by companies like KRAFTON
Regarding concerns about violence in online games, Sohn highlighted the importance of balanced content consumption. He mentioned how KRAFTON has implemented playtime limits to promote responsible gaming habits:
- A 3-hour daily limit for minors
- A 6-hour daily limit for adults
Since 2021, KRAFTON has been heavily investing in India with $160 million already invested in Indian startups, and plans to invest an additional $150 million over the next two to three years.
Earlier this year, the company launched the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) program to support Indian game developers with funding, mentorship, and resources.
Currently, KRAFTON operates Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) in the Indian market, a local version of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).
The company also launched Bullet Echo India, a mobile tactical shooter game specifically designed for the Indian market.