Krafton Plans $50 Million in Yearly Investment in India

South Korea’s Krafton is powering ahead in India’s gaming scene, bolstered by a massive audience of nearly half a billion gamers and a government with a fresh focus on esports. Despite monetisation challengesl of low average revenue per year, Krafton CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn projects consistent double-digit annual growth for India’s overall market.

According to CNBC TV18, the firm, which has already pumped $200 million since 2021, will invest at least $50 million yearly, scout local acquisitions, and ultimately eye a public listing. The opportunity is huge but tackling low ARPU, competitive dynamics, and evolving regulation remains the core challenge for global gaming giants.

Krafton’s optimism is founded on scale: India has nearly 500 million gamers, with BGMI boasting 240 million downloads over four years. But monetisation hurdles persist. In an interview with CNBC TV18 Hyuinil compared India to markets like South Korea, Indian users are less likely to spend on games, resulting in social gaming revenue of only $1 billion despite huge engagement. CEO Sean Sohn admits getting another hit on the scale of Battlegrounds Mobile India is difficult but sees user loyalty once a game catches on.

Regulatory changes in 2025 have steered India’s policy away from real-money gaming and toward esports and social play, a shift Krafton strongly supports. The company’s approach focuses on microtransactions, culturally tailored content, and region-specific esports initiatives rather than global subscription models. Recent investment moves include major stakes in local gaming and fintech startups, underlining Krafton’s commitment beyond simple publishing.

In the near term, Krafton’s priorities are clear: deepen Indian investments (~$50 million/year), scout acquisitions, optimize content for local gamers, and foster esports participation. Over the longer arc, Sohn views a potential India IPO as a “happy” eventual target, evidence of Krafton’s confidence in the direction of India’s regulatory, economic, and creative gaming landscape. As the market matures, the firm will need to unlock higher revenues from India’s price-sensitive consumer base, adapt to local tastes, and compete for attention in a crowded space. In doing so, Krafton affirms its belief in India as a future pillar of global gaming growth.