South Korean gaming powerhouse Krafton, the developer behind global hits like PUBG: Battlegrounds and Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), has taken a significant step in expanding its footprint in India. The company has acquired a controlling stake in Indian gaming studio Nautilus Mobile for $14 million in an all-cash deal, solidifying its commitment to the country’s rapidly growing gaming market.
A Strategic Move into Cricket Gaming
Nautilus Mobile, based in Pune, has made a name for itself with its immensely popular Real Cricket franchise, which includes titles like Real Cricket 24 and Real Cricket Premier League. Cricket holds an unrivaled position in India’s sports culture, and Krafton sees this acquisition as an opportunity to move beyond BGMI and tap into the massive cricket gaming market. The deal builds upon Krafton’s initial $5.4 million investment in Nautilus in 2022.
Krafton has confirmed that it has acquired more than a 75% stake in Nautilus. Despite the acquisition, the studio will continue to operate independently, retaining its team of 45 employees. With Krafton’s backing, Nautilus aims to refine its existing games while also exploring new genres in the long term.
Strengthening India’s Gaming Ecosystem
“Our development capability in Nautilus will help Krafton double down on its India gaming strategy,” said Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India. “Together, we can build more games across various genres, not just for India but for a global audience.”
Nautilus CEO Anuj Mankar echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the partnership’s potential to scale the Real Cricket franchise globally. “With Krafton’s expertise and resources, we are confident in elevating the franchise and expanding our reach in mobile gaming,” Mankar said.
Krafton’s acquisition aligns with its broader strategy of investing in India’s gaming industry. Over the past few years, the company has funneled over $200 million into the Indian market, backing both gaming and non-gaming startups, including Cashfree, Kuku FM, and influencer marketing platform One Impression.
India’s Booming Mobile Gaming Market
India’s mobile gaming industry has been growing at an unprecedented pace. According to market intelligence firm Niko Partners, mobile games account for nearly 78% of India’s total gaming revenue. The sector generated $640 million in 2023 and is projected to surpass $1.1 billion by 2028.
Krafton has been at the forefront of this growth. Its flagship title, BGMI, has crossed 200 million downloads in India, setting record sales last year. The company’s net profit surged by an impressive 119% year-over-year in 2024, reaching approximately $889 million.
However, while Krafton has other titles like Bullet Echo India, Road to Valor, and CookieRun, none have replicated BGMI’s phenomenal success. This latest acquisition could help Krafton diversify its portfolio, leveraging Nautilus’ expertise in cricket gaming to capture new audiences.
A Vision for Global Expansion
Although Nautilus has traditionally focused on the Indian market, Krafton aims to take its Real Cricket franchise beyond India to other cricket-loving nations. “We strongly believe that cricket games have enormous potential,” said Nihansh Bhat, Corporate Lead Development at Krafton India. “We want to work with Nautilus to maximize this potential, not just in India but in other markets where cricket is gaining traction.”
JetSynthesys, which previously held a 100% stake in Nautilus, will remain a significant minority investor. The company will continue to collaborate with Nautilus, particularly in esports, where it has helped establish partnerships with IPL teams for the Real Cricket franchise.
“Krafton’s world-class innovation will add great value to Nautilus’ talented team,” said Rajan Navani, Founder and CEO of JetSynthesys. “This partnership will help us scale the eCricket esports ecosystem in India and globally.”
Looking Ahead
The acquisition marks Krafton’s first control deal in India, signaling its long-term vision to make the country a global hub for game development. While BGMI has been the company’s primary success story in India, its latest move suggests a broader ambition—one that extends beyond battle royale games to include cricket and other sports genres.
As Krafton and Nautilus join forces, the gaming landscape in India is poised for an exciting transformation. With the backing of a global gaming giant, Nautilus’ Real Cricket series could become India’s first homegrown sports gaming franchise to achieve international acclaim.
For Krafton, this deal is more than just an investment—it’s a strategic step toward cementing its dominance in one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets.
