Key Points
- Krafton is searching for companies to help develop an esports ecosystem
- Krafton intends to invest $100 million
- Battlegrounds Mobile India is available for download
Krafton, the developer of Battlegrounds Mobile India, has provided an update on its ambitions to establish an esports ecosystem in the country.
According to a report published in November, Krafton aims to spend $100 million (about Rs. 746 crores) in India to develop video games, e-sports, and other sectors in the country.
NODWIN Gaming, a company that specializes in online gaming, has received $22.5 million (about Rs. 167 crores) investment, with a further $9 million (approximately Rs. 67.13 crores) in Loco.
The developer stated that it is continuing its search for potential companies that will contribute to the development of a healthy gaming ecosystem.
After PUBG Mobile was banned in India in September, the game’s activities in the nation were taken over by South Korean developer Krafton, which is based in Seoul. In November, the developer stated that PUBG Mobile India will be released in the nation in order to cater particularly to Indian gamers, following many failed attempts to bring the game back to life.
Additionally, it had announced intentions to spend $100 million (about Rs. 746 crores) in India to “cultivate the local video game, e-sports, entertainment, and information technology businesses” at the time. Krafton has now said in a press statement that it is working towards achieving this objective and that it has already made a number of investments to help it achieve it.
As part of the announcement of Battlegrounds Mobile India at the beginning of May, Krafton stated that the game will launch with its own esports ecosystem, which would feature tournaments and leagues.
It appears to be making steady progress toward its target, based on its existing investment plans.
Battlegrounds Mobile India, on the other hand, is a game that was officially released today, July 2, for Android users in India. Currently, there is no information on when an iOS version will be released.
With the game now back in India, it appears that the company is continuing to invest in developing the ecosystem; however, whether this will be enough to restore PUBG to its former levels of popularity prior to the ban is uncertain, given the emergence of new competition, both global and domestic, during the game’s nine-month absence from the market.
