South Korean gaming major Krafton has widened the regional reach of its India-focused initiative, the Krafton India Gaming Incubator (KIGI), and introduced strategic partners as it unveiled the second batch of six promising startups. According to Anuj Sahani, Head of the Krafton India Incubator Program, the latest cohort includes teams from emerging gaming hotspots such as Kolkata, Mumbai, and Madurai.
Among the selected studios is Madurai-based indie developer Kleanup Games, currently working on Chromadi — a retro-style arcade shoot-’em-up game that combines color-mixing mechanics with high-score-based gameplay. Directed by Jaiwanth Shanmugam, Chromadi is scheduled for a 2026 launch and will be available on iOS, Android, and PC (Steam Deck).
Another standout startup is Advaita Interactive, which is developing Inspectorium, a hidden-object detective game set in a steampunk-inspired, Victorian-era Kolkata. Founded by Judhajit Sarkar, the game will offer episodic storytelling, AI-powered interrogations, and immersive puzzles. Inspectorium is expected to release between 2025 and 2026 on mobile, PC, and VR platforms.
Also part of Krafton’s second KIGI cohort is Bengaluru-based Smash Head Studio, currently developing Cricket Rivals—a fast-paced, real-time multiplayer mobile game that brings a competitive twist to the traditional game of cricket. The studio, co-founded by Surendran Ramachandran and Pawan Sandhar, is also known for its earlier title Gravity Shooter, an action-packed shooter game.
Mumbai-based Singular Scheme is working on Frontier Paladin, a role-playing game (RPG) infused with action and tower-defense elements. Set on a cursed battlefield teeming with divine relics and ancient enemies, Frontier Paladin is the studio’s second title under the leadership of Ahad Oomerbhoy. A public demo of the game is currently available on Steam.
Another addition is Ginger Games, a New Delhi-based studio developing Monkey Mayhem, a colorful hybrid-casual action-adventure mobile game set in a whimsical “Monkey Universe.” The story follows a courageous monkey named Piklu on a wild mission to rescue his friends. Co-founded by Shrey Mishra, Sumit Batheja, and Piyush Kumar in 2024, the game is expected to launch in February 2026.
Over the next 6 to 12 months, the selected game studios will benefit from customized mentorship provided by seasoned professionals across game development, design, marketing, and business strategy. In addition to expert guidance, each startup will receive financial support ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. They’ll also gain access to Krafton’s internal resources, including data analytics tools, market research insights, and more, aimed at helping them scale and refine their games for global success.
“During Cohort 1, we were actually nitpicky in picking teams. But with Cohort 2, we have slightly relaxed our selection criteria because we understand that the development stage is very nascent,” Sahani said. “We are also taking a little more risk this time by supporting very early-stage startups, including those straight out of college or with limited experience.”
He added that Krafton will be providing deeper technical support to the teams in the upcoming cohort, “We realized that it was one of the pain points from the first cohort, which we are solving in the second,” he said.
Sahani emphasized that while India has a growing number of gaming companies, there remains a significant gap in structured support for young developers and early-stage startups to grow independently. To bridge this gap, Krafton has partnered with key global platforms to equip developers with essential tools and services to create competitive, globally scalable games.
Among its strategic partners are AccelByte, a backend platform enabling studios to build, publish, and manage live-service games; Liftoff’s GameRefinery, which offers data-driven tools for optimizing mobile games; and AppMagic, a market intelligence platform for mobile apps. Additionally, Amazon Web Services (AWS) will provide each participating startup with $10,000 in cloud credits to support infrastructure and scaling needs.
The Krafton India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) was first announced in October 2023, marking a strategic shift for Krafton in India—from investing broadly in digital entertainment and the creator economy to a focused commitment on video game development.
In its inaugural cohort, KIGI supported four startups: ReDimension Games (Nagaland), Shura Games (Bengaluru), Dunali Games (Gurugram), and Arjuna Studios (Delhi). Three of them—ReDimension, Shura, and Dunali—have already soft-launched their games, while Arjuna Studios is expected to launch its title in the coming weeks.
These initiatives highlight Krafton’s deepening footprint in India, as the company looks to leverage the country’s growing status as an emerging powerhouse in global game development.
“At Krafton India, we see the future of gaming as a vibrant tapestry woven with diverse ideas and bold creativity. Gaming is more than just a form of entertainment—it’s a tool for connection, expression, and cultural influence” said Krafton India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn.
“By empowering diverse voices and championing innovation, with our second cohort, we’re setting the stage for a future where Indian game developers are defining trends, telling new stories, and pushing the boundaries of what gaming can be,” he added.
In August 2023, Krafton, best known for its hit battle royale game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), announced a $150 million investment commitment toward Indian gaming and interactive entertainment startups over the next two to three years. With this pledge, Krafton’s total investment in the Indian market now stands at approximately $290 million, positioning it as one of the most active and strategic backers in the country’s gaming ecosystem.
Krafton has also expanded its portfolio in India by launching several localized titles, including Bullet Echo India, CookieRun India, Garuda Saga, Road To Valor: Empires, and Defense Derby, in addition to its flagship game BGMI.
In a notable move last month, the company acquired a 75%+ stake in Nautilus Mobile, a Pune-based game studio best known for its popular Real Cricket mobile franchise. The acquisition, valued at ₹118 crore, further strengthens Krafton’s presence in India’s mobile gaming market.
