A Growing Market with Huge Potential
Krafton India, the publisher behind Battlegrounds Mobile India, has expressed optimism about the future of the gaming market in India. According to CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn, the company expects the industry to expand at a double-digit annual rate, driven by the massive base of 400 to 500 million gamers in the country. While current revenues remain modest compared to global benchmarks, Krafton believes the Indian market holds immense long-term potential.
Since 2021, Krafton has already invested around 200 million US dollars into India’s gaming ecosystem and has committed to continuing with at least 50 million dollars annually. The company is also actively considering new acquisitions and partnerships to strengthen its presence. One of Krafton’s long-term ambitions is to pursue a potential public listing in India when the timing aligns with its growth trajectory.
Battlegrounds Mobile India and Market Challenges
Battlegrounds Mobile India has been the company’s flagship product, amassing around 240 million downloads over the last four years. Despite this massive player base, monetisation remains a challenge. Social gaming revenue in India is estimated at just over one billion US dollars, with both paying user percentages and average revenue per user lagging far behind global averages. For Krafton and other publishers, converting players into paying users remains one of the biggest hurdles to unlocking India’s full gaming potential.
The Impact of India’s New Gaming Law
The outlook for esports companies has been boosted by the recent Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The law distinguishes between real-money games, which have been banned, and esports and social gaming, which have now been officially recognised and encouraged. This clarity provides companies like Krafton with a stronger foundation to invest in the future.
The legislation also directs the government to create infrastructure, training programs, and events to support the esports ecosystem, marking the first time that esports has received direct official backing in India. For Krafton, this means a more stable environment to grow Battlegrounds Mobile India and future titles.
A Vision for the Future
Sohn noted that Krafton welcomes the clarity brought by the new regulations and sees the government’s active support as a signal of India’s intent to make gaming a serious driver of economic growth and job creation. He emphasised that Krafton does not expect barriers in monetisation models such as in-app purchases or subscriptions, as current practices align with international standards.
With the combination of regulatory support, a massive player base, and Krafton’s ongoing investment, India is poised to become one of the most significant markets for gaming and esports globally. The journey will not be without challenges, but the foundation is stronger than ever before.
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