"KRAFTON to Establish R&D Unit in India by Next Year"

KRAFTON, the developer behind popular games such as PUBG and BGMI, plans to establish a research and development (R&D) facility in India by next year, according to Sean Hyunil Sohn, the company’s India business head. The new facility aims to create games tailored to Indian culture and preferences.

Sohn indicated that while the exact location is yet to be finalized, Bangalore and Pune are among the top contenders. The R&D unit will focus on developing high-quality games and expanding KRAFTON’s portfolio for the Indian market, either through local development or sourcing from international teams.

Speaking at the IDGS Gaming Conclave, Sohn emphasized that India is one of KRAFTON’s top three markets by user base. He highlighted the rapid growth in demand for digital entertainment and gaming in the country but noted challenges such as a shortage of top-quality talent and insufficient IT infrastructure for education.

Sohn expressed the need for a shift in perception towards gaming as a viable professional career and called for more government support in education. He pointed out that while there are many online resources for learning coding and game development, access to hardware and family support remains limited for many students.

To address these issues, KRAFTON has invested $160 million in Indian startups since 2021 and plans to inject an additional $150 million over the next 2-3 years. The company also launched the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator programme earlier this year, which provides funding, mentorship, and resources to aspiring game developers.

Regarding concerns about the impact of violence in online games, Sohn stressed the importance of moderation and balance. KRAFTON has implemented playtime limits to mitigate excessive gaming: three hours per day for minors and six hours for adults.

Currently, KRAFTON operates Battleground Mobile India (BGMI), a successor to PUBG, which was banned in India in September 2020.

BS