In a strategic move to expand its presence in India’s growing gaming industry, South Korean gaming giant Krafton has acquired a majority stake (over 75%) in Nautilus Mobile, the Pune-based studio behind the popular Real Cricket franchise. The deal, valued at $14 million (₹118 crore), marks Krafton’s first controlling investment in an Indian gaming company.
Strengthening India’s Gaming Ecosystem
India’s mobile gaming industry has seen rapid growth in recent years, with cricket-based games enjoying massive popularity. Nautilus Mobile has been a dominant player in this space, developing one of the most successful cricket gaming franchises. With Krafton’s global expertise and financial backing, Nautilus Mobile is poised to scale up its operations and enhance its game offerings.
Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India, emphasized the strategic significance of the acquisition:
"This move aligns with our long-term vision of making India a global hub for game development. With Nautilus Mobile's expertise in cricket games and Krafton's global resources, we aim to elevate the Real Cricket franchise and explore new gaming genres."
What This Means for Nautilus Mobile
Despite the acquisition, Nautilus Mobile will continue to operate independently, with all 45 employees remaining on board. The studio will retain creative control while leveraging Krafton’s technological capabilities and international reach.
Anuj Mankar, CEO of Nautilus Mobile, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating:
"With Krafton's industry experience and strong network, we are confident in our ability to take Real Cricket to new heights and explore new opportunities in mobile gaming."
What’s Next for Krafton and Indian Gaming?
This acquisition underscores Krafton’s commitment to investing in India’s gaming ecosystem, following its previous investments in startups like Nodwin Gaming, Loco, and Pratilipi. The move signals a broader ambition to strengthen game development, esports, and mobile gaming innovation in India.
With millions of cricket fans engaged in mobile gaming, Krafton’s backing could help Real Cricket become a global hit, further cementing India’s role in the future of game development.
What do you think about Krafton’s latest move? Will Real Cricket become the next big global gaming franchise? Let us know in the comments!
