Krafton, the South Korean gaming giant renowned for titles like PUBG: Battlegrounds and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), has acquired a controlling stake in Indian gaming studio Nautilus Mobile. The all-cash deal, valued at $14 million, grants Krafton ownership exceeding 75% of Nautilus.
Founded in 2013 and based in Pune, Nautilus Mobile has made a significant impact with its Real Cricket franchise, amassing millions of downloads across its five titles, including Real Cricket 24 and Real Cricket Premier League. The studio’s 45 employees will remain onboard, and Nautilus will continue to operate independently post-acquisition.
Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India, emphasized that the acquisition aims to bolster Nautilus’s expertise in mobile cricket games—a genre with substantial demand in cricket-loving India. In the short term, efforts will focus on refining existing titles, while long-term plans include exploring new gaming genres.
Anuj Mankar, CEO of Nautilus Mobile, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating that the collaboration with Krafton will enhance development capabilities and facilitate the creation of diverse games for both Indian and global markets.
India’s mobile gaming market is on an upward trajectory, driven by a young and tech-savvy population. According to market intelligence firm Niko Partners, mobile games accounted for 77.9% of the country’s total gaming revenue, with projections estimating growth from $640 million in 2023 to $1.1 billion by 2028.
Krafton has identified India as a key market, with BGMI surpassing 200 million downloads and achieving record sales in the previous year. The acquisition of Nautilus Mobile represents a strategic move to diversify Krafton’s portfolio beyond battle royale games and tap into the burgeoning sports gaming segment in India.
This acquisition underscores Krafton’s commitment to expanding its footprint in India’s gaming industry and leveraging local talent to develop games that resonate with both domestic and international audiences.
