PUBG Battlegrounds maker Krafton eyes major expansion in India: Report

Krafton, the South Korean gaming company behind PUBG: Battlegrounds, is looking to expand in India, aiming to take advantage of a ban on Chinese competitors in one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets, Financial Times reported.

With growth slowing in key markets like China and the US, Krafton sees India as a major opportunity. Sean Sohn, the company’s India head, told the publication that Krafton is actively exploring acquisitions in the country. It also plans to invest at least $50 million annually in India, where PUBG has remained one of the highest-grossing games in recent years.

“It is not easy to come up with a big hit like Battlegrounds again,” Sohn said in the interview. “But it is our key challenge to develop another hit game.”


India, home to the world’s largest youth population, with 65% of its 1.4 billion citizens under the age of 35, offers vast potential. However, the market is also known for its price-sensitive consumers, making it a challenge for international companies.

“India is a tough market. Users are not so receptive to new games and are reluctant to spend much on games,” Sohn said. “But they show strong loyalty once they get to enjoy a game.”

In addition, ongoing tensions between Beijing and India have led to restrictions on Chinese gaming companies in India, creating a more favourable landscape for Krafton. As a result, India has emerged as one of the company’s top five markets globally.

Krafton’s expansion plans come just days after India imposed a sweeping ban on all online real-money games, whether based on skill, chance, or both. The move has led major platforms like Dream11, MPL, WinZO, and PokerBaazi to suspend their real-money gaming services.

Despite its current size being just a fifth of South Korea’s estimated ₩20 trillion ($14.4 billion) gaming industry, India’s market is rapidly evolving. According to market researcher Niko Partners, the number of gamers in India rose 12% last year to reach 444 million.