Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:SOPA Images / Contributor / Getty Images
Apps
Biotech & Health
Climate
Image Credits:SOPA Images / Contributor / Getty Images
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
Real Cricket 24Image Credits:Nautilus Mobile
Enterprise
EVs
Fintech
Nautilus CEO Anuj MankarImage Credits:Nautilus
Fundraising
Gadgets
Gaming
Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO, Krafton IndiaImage Credits:Krafton
Government & Policy
ironware
layoff
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
Privacy
Robotics
Security
Social
Space
Startups
TikTok
Transportation
speculation
More from TechCrunch
event
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
TV
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
Contact Us
Krafton , South Korea ’s gaming heavyweight known for titles includingPUBG : BattlegroundsandBattlegrounds Mobile India ( BGMI ) , has acquired a control stake in 12 - year - old Amerind gaming studioNautilus Mobilefor $ 14 million in an all - cash deal .
On Friday , the South Korean gambling company confirmed to TechCrunch that it has acquired a “ north of 75 % bet ” in Nautilus , the gaming studio apartment democratic for its cricket enthusiast - pore Real Cricket dealership .
The Pune - ground studio apartment will continue to operate independently after the deal , which is expect to close by the end of the calendar month , with all its 45 employee remain on Nautilus ’ payroll , Krafton tell TechCrunch .
base in 2013 , Nautilus has garnered one thousand thousand of downloads for its Real Cricket dealership , which presently has five titles , including Real Cricket 24 and substantial Cricket Premier League .
Krafton aims to beef up Nautilus ’ “ core competency ” in wandering cricket games — where demand is eminent in cricket - loving India — by refining its existing title in the myopic terminal figure and exploring Modern musical style in the long condition , Sean Hyunil Sohn , CEO at Krafton India , say in an consultation .
“ Our development capableness in Nautilus will help Krafton double up down on its India gaming strategy , and together , we can belike build more game , more genre , both for the Amerind marketplace and global market going onward , ” Nautilus CEO Anuj Mankar distinguish TechCrunch .
The troupe plans to expand Nautilus ’ mien to other geographies over time .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
India ’s mobile gaming market is grow steadily , driven by a large base of new smartphone users . Mobile game overlook the nation ’s overall gaming industry by outgo , accounting for77.9 % of total revenue , per securities industry intelligence business firm Niko Partners . The house also estimates that the country ’s mobile play revenue will grow from $ 640 million in 2023 to $ 1.1 billion by 2028 .
Krafton , which saw119.3 % year - over - year growthin its net profit last year to about $ 889 million ( KRW 1.3 trillion ) , sees India as a bright and primal market to continue its achiever . However , most of the growth from India has so far follow from its flagship rubric for the local hearing , Battlegrounds Mobile India ( BGMI ) , which hit its highest - ever sales last yr andsurpassed 200 million downloads .
The company has other titles , include Bullet Echo India , Road to Valor , and CookieRun . However , they have not yet helped repeat the succeeder story of the battle royale game , a localized version of PUBG .
The great deal could aid Krafton move beyond BGMI and research newfangled avenue of success , including cricket and other mutation games , to attract fresh gamers .
In 2020 , Indian digital entertainment and technology ship’s company JetSynthesysacquired a 100 % stakein Nautilus Mobile . That was follow by Krafton’sstrategic investment of $ 5.4 millionin 2022 .
Sohn told TechCrunch that while Nautilus ’ potential was the reason for the initial investment funds , Krafton found its character as a minority stakeholder confine in term of supporting the studio apartment ’s mental object growing . Gaining a controlling stake , he said , would allow for deep collaborationism and majuscule affair in core development efforts with Nautilus .
“ We powerfully believe that cricket game have a lot of potential . And we want to work with Nautilus to make the best effort potential to really realize the potential of this grocery store , not just in India , but in other cricket - playing nations and other countries , which are becoming more active in cricket , ” Nihansh Bhat , corporate lead development at Krafton India , told TechCrunch .
JetSynthesys will remain a “ pregnant minority ” investor in Nautilus Mobile and will continue to work with the studio on surface area , including esports . The company has already work with the studio apartment to aid partner its Real Cricket game with cricket team , including thoseassociated with the Indian Premier League , the humankind ’s most lucrative cricket tournament in India .
“ We will , over a long period of clock time , want to seem at , of course , increase revenue , increased drug user stand , improved retentiveness , all the common thing , and hopefully new deals as well , ” Bhat said on the enquiry of how Krafton would measure out the mess ’s success station its completion .
Until now , Krafton has invested over $ 200 million in India , excluding the Nautilus Mobile .
Krafton ’s 20 % investments in India have been in gambling and gambling - adjacent company , though the company also gift in Amerindic inauguration , including the payments platformCashfree , audio platformKuku FM , and influencer marketing platformOne effect . It also backed funds , including play - focusedLumikaiandIMM Investment ’s first India investment firm .
“ We are looking at the opportunity for acquisitions , moderate investment , and even business collaboration with notable player in the area , ” Sohn said .
Nautilus will join the 14 other game studios Krafton operate in markets around the humanity .
