Krafton eyes larger M&A deals in India to sustain BGMI momentum

Krafton eyes larger M&A deals in India to sustain BGMI momentum

최초입력 2025.06.16 08:50:58

Son Hyun-il, chief executive of Krafton’s Indian subsidiary

Krafton Inc., the South Korean game developer behind the smash hit Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is ramping up its investment in India. The company is shifting its focus from early-stage startups to larger-scale acquisitions as it seeks its next growth engine in the burgeoning market.
Son Hyun-il, chief executive of Krafton’s Indian subsidiary, told Maeil Business Newspaper the company plans to allocate around $50 million annually toward mergers and acquisitions in India. The move marks a strategic shift as Krafton looks to build on BGMI’s success and establish long-term growth momentum in one of the world’s fastest-growing mobile gaming markets.
“India is growing at up to 20 percent a year, unlike markets such as Korea, China, and the United States, where growth has plateaued. With rising smartphone usage and income levels, we believe India’s gaming industry has immense potential,” Son said.
Krafton sees outsized growth potential in India, where the online gaming market is smaller than in Korea. The company has invested approximately $200 million in India’s gaming ecosystem, backing local startups and acquiring cricket game developer Nautilus Mobile earlier in 2025 for 20.3 billion won. The company is now seeking mid-to-large-sized firms that can offer strategic synergies.
Son noted Krafton’s collaborations with Indian athletes, Bollywood stars, and companies, including Mahindra & Mahindra. BGMI’s voice chat feature, a standout among Indian gamers, has even led to real-life marriages among players who met via the game.
“Launching another BGMI-level hit will not be easy,” Son acknowledged. “But our goal is to find a game that can achieve at least 30 percent of BGMI’s performance.”
Krafton is in India for the long run, with Son noting that while Indian users may initially be cautious with in-app purchases, they demonstrate high retention once engaged. “We are focused on steady, long-term success,” he said.
Son joined PUBG as chief financial officer in 2017 and became Krafton India’s first CEO in 2021 after a merger between PUBG and Krafton in 2020, playing an instrumental role in the company’s turnaround in India. His latest moves signal Krafton’s growing ambition to cement itself as a dominant player in one of the world’s most promising gaming frontiers.
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Krafton eyes larger M&A deals in India to sustain BGMI momentum

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