Krafton, the South Korean gaming powerhouse behind global hits like PUBG: Battlegrounds and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is doubling down on its commitment to India’s booming gaming market. The company has acquired a controlling stake in Pune-based gaming studio Nautilus Mobile for $14 million in an all-cash deal.
With this move, Krafton now owns over 75% of Nautilus, the studio best known for its Real Cricket series a franchise that has become a go to for cricket fans on mobile devices. Despite the acquisition, Nautilus will continue to operate independently, and all 45 employees will remain onboard.
Founded in 2013, Nautilus has carved out a niche in India’s mobile gaming scene. Its Real Cricket franchise has grown to include multiple titles like Real Cricket 24 and Real Cricket Premier League, amassing millions of downloads. The studio’s strong footing in the cricket gaming genre made it a natural partner for Krafton’s India-first growth strategy.
Krafton India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn said the company is looking to refine Nautilus’s existing cricket titles while also exploring new gaming genres in the long run. “Nautilus’s expertise strengthens our ability to develop high-quality mobile sports games for the Indian market and beyond,” Sohn noted.
Anuj Mankar, CEO of Nautilus Mobile, added that the partnership will allow them to push boundaries: “Together with Krafton, we can build a broader portfolio of games for Indian gamers and also expand to global markets.”
This deal marks a significant step in Krafton’s larger vision for India, a market that continues to show massive potential. The mobile gaming industry in India is projected to grow from $640 million in 2023 to $1.1 billion by 2028, according to Niko Partners. Mobile games currently make up nearly 78% of total gaming revenue in the country, driven by a young, mobile-first population.
For Krafton, India has already proven to be a lucrative bet. Its localized version of PUBG, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), has become one of the country’s top gaming titles, surpassing 200 million downloads and hitting its highest-ever sales last year. The success of BGMI was a major factor in Krafton’s remarkable 119% year-over-year profit jump, reaching around $889 million in 2023.
However, beyond BGMI, Krafton has struggled to replicate similar success with other titles like Bullet Echo India, Road to Valor, and CookieRun. The acquisition of Nautilus could be Krafton’s way of diversifying its Indian portfolio moving from a single blockbuster to a broader range of offerings, particularly in the ever-popular cricket segment.
India’s love for cricket, combined with the growing demand for mobile games, gives Krafton a strong opportunity to expand its player base. With Nautilus in its corner, Krafton can now build more culturally relevant games that resonate with Indian gamers and potentially find appeal globally too.
Looking ahead, Krafton also plans to scale Nautilus’s presence beyond India, signaling ambitions for international expansion. With its strong financial position and deep industry experience, Krafton is positioning itself not just as a publisher, but as a long-term player in the Indian gaming ecosystem.
This deal is more than just an acquisition it’s a strategic move to tap into one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets, with a studio that truly understands what local players want.
