Krafton commits another $250M to India, expanding beyond gaming into AI, robotics and deep tech

# What happened Krafton, the South Korean publisher known for PUBG and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), announced a new $250 million investment commitment for India. That pledge covers the next three to four years and pushes Krafton's planned India investment since 2021 to more than $500 million.

# Why this matters The commitment signals a strategic broadening of Krafton's India play. The company built a large user base in India through BGMI — which has surpassed 260 million downloads — but the new funds explicitly target areas beyond games: artificial intelligence, robotics and deep tech. Krafton is combining product launches, startup investments and talent programs to expand its footprint.

# India position Krafton's India presence started with gaming and then diversified:

• BGMI: A localized relaunch of PUBG Mobile that followed the 2020 ban of PUBG Mobile in India. BGMI later faced its own 2022 ban and returned to the market on a trial basis in 2023. Krafton plans to launch BGMI Lite in India by the end of 2026.

• Acquisitions and local teams: Krafton acquired Pune-based Nautilus Mobile, the studio behind the Real Cricket franchise, and has expanded its India operations.
• Talent development: Krafton launched KIGI Academy, an industry-academia program for game development and digital creation.
• Startup backing: Since 2021 Krafton has invested in about 18 Indian companies, including Nodwin Gaming, Loco, Pratilipi, Kuku FM and One Impression, and funded several small gaming studios.

# How the new $250M fits with other funds

# Recent diplomatic and strategic context Krafton's chairman, Chang Byung-gyu, met India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi the same day the company announced the new investment. The meeting covered collaboration prospects between India and South Korea in gaming, technology and emerging sectors.

# What to watch next

• Deployment breakdown: how much of the $250 million goes to direct startup investments, R&D in AI/robotics/deep tech, talent programs, or content development.
• BGMI Lite launch: timing and monetization approach for the scheduled end-2026 rollout.
• Startup portfolio: which additional Indian startups receive backing and whether Krafton focuses on gaming-adjacent or deeper tech companies.
• Regulatory environment: how Krafton manages compliance and data residency after prior bans and server moves.