Krafton doubles down on India with another $250M bet beyond gaming

Krafton's latest $250 million investment in India, bringing its total commitment to over $500 million, signals a significant strategic pivot beyond its core gaming business. The South Korean firm is now targeting AI, robotics, and deep tech sectors in India. This move reflects a calculated effort to diversify revenue streams and tap into India's vast internet and smartphone user base, which has already made its BGMI title a major success despite past regulatory challenges. The company has already backed 18 Indian startups, including gaming studios and content platforms, demonstrating a clear intent to build a broader tech portfolio. The thing to watch is how Krafton navigates India's evolving regulatory landscape, especially given the prior bans on PUBG Mobile and BGMI. Its engagement with Prime Minister Modi suggests a proactive approach to government relations, which will be crucial for its expansion into sensitive deep tech areas. This investment underscores India's growing appeal as a destination for foreign capital in emerging technologies, even for companies primarily known for other sectors.