Beyond BGMI: How KRAFTON Is Building India’s Gaming Future—One Partnership at a Time
In a nation where 515 million people play games, cricket is religion, and 65% of the population is under 35—India isn’t just a market for KRAFTON. It’s the blueprint for gaming’s next decade.
Since launching PUBG Mobile India (BGMI) in 2020, KRAFTON has done more than rack up 240 million+ downloads. It has woven itself into India’s digital and cultural fabric—partnering with giants like Reliance Jio, Mahindra, Hero MotoCorp, PepsiCo, and even Chennai Super Kings (CSK)—to build what may be the world’s most holistic gaming ecosystem.
Let’s break down how.
📱 1. The “Mobile × Payment × Gen Z” Trifecta Is Kicking In
India’s transformation wasn’t accidental:
- 📶 Jio’s ₹10/GB data revolution made smartphones the primary—and often only—digital device
- 💳 UPI’s real-time payments turned every teen with a bank-linked phone into a paying gamer
- 🎮 Mobile-first gaming replaced PCs as the gateway to esports
KRAFTON seized this moment. In June 2025, it launched India’s first-ever telecom-gaming bundle with Reliance Jio:
✅ BGMI skins & battle passes
✅ High-speed mobile data
✅ Zero extra cost for parents (a major adoption driver!)
“The response has been explosive—with both parents and children purchasing the package.”
— Abhay Sharma, Head of eSports, JioGames
For KRAFTON? Higher retention, lower churn.
For Jio? Deeper engagement in entertainment—and a foot in the Gen Z wallet.
🏎️ 2. From Digital to Physical: Gaming Meets Real Life
KRAFTON isn’t stopping at pixels. It’s bridging virtual and real worlds:
- 🚗 Mahindra: Co-branded vehicle skins + IRL test-drive events in metro cities
- 🏍️ Hero MotoCorp: “BGMI Rider Edition” scooters with in-game unlockables
- 🥤 PepsiCo: Limited-edition cans with QR codes for exclusive emotes
This isn’t merchandising—it’s cultural embedding. When your soda, scooter, and smartphone all speak the same BGMI language, the game becomes lifestyle.
🟥 3. Localizing Payments—and Trust
India’s diversity is its strength—and its challenge. As Akshay Sethi of Uni-Pin notes:
“India is a country where the language changes every 100 square meters.”
So KRAFTON adapted:
- 💵 Microtransactions starting at $1 (critical in a low-ARPU market)
- 🛒 Offline voucher sales via 1+ million retail stores (for the 190M unbanked Indians)
- 🌐 Regional-language events (Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi)
Result? Broader reach, deeper trust, sustainable monetization.
🏏 4. Cricket: The Second “BGMI” Is Already in Play
Recognizing that BGMI’s dominance can’t last forever, KRAFTON is betting big on cricket—India’s true national obsession.
In March 2025, it acquired Nautilus Mobile, developer of Real Cricket 24, and partnered with Chennai Super Kings (CSK)—a franchise with a $230M brand value.
“Collaborating with game companies helps us attract the younger generation.”
— Rohit Katyal, Commercial Head, CSK
Expect:
- CSK player avatars & stadiums in-game
- IPL-themed tournaments with real cash prizes
- Fan engagement that turns viewers into players—and vice versa
This isn’t just a game launch. It’s sports IP × gaming × fandom—a trifecta with billion-user potential.
🔁 5. Reinvesting Deeply: $100M+ in Startups & Incubation
KRAFTON isn’t extracting value—it’s planting seeds:
- 💰 $100M+ invested in 30+ Indian gaming startups since 2021
- 🏢 KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI)—a full-stack program offering funding, mentorship, and publishing support
- 📈 Commitment to $50M/year in India-focused innovation
“We believe the next major investment area is gaming—and we’re investing heavily.”
— JioGames leadership
This isn’t charity. It’s ecosystem-building—ensuring that when the next BGMI emerges, it’s built in India, by Indians, with KRAFTON.
Final Thought: KRAFTON Isn’t Just Playing in India…
It’s helping build the stadium.
By aligning with India’s infrastructure (Jio), culture (cricket), economy (UPI), and ambition (startups), KRAFTON has done what few global game companies dare:
Become local—not just localized.
The result? A self-sustaining flywheel:
Users → Revenue → Reinvestment → Innovation → More Users
In a world chasing quick wins, KRAFTON is playing the long game—and India is the ultimate arena.
🎮 What Indian game or partnership excites you most? Share below!
Source: The Chosun