Krafton, the South Korean gaming giant behind PUBG and Battlegrounds Mobile India, is doubling down on India, with plans to invest an additional $250 million over the next three to four years. This investment, alongside previous commitments, totals over $500 million, underscoring Krafton’s strategic importance in the Indian market.

India’s massive tech-savvy population makes it a key battleground for international tech firms. Krafton’s initial foray into India focused on BGMI, a localized version of PUBG, which has seen over 260 million downloads. The company has since diversified its investments, supporting 18 Indian startups, including gaming studios and content creators.

Krafton’s journey in India has been rocky. BGMI was banned in 2020, but Krafton swiftly adapted, moving its servers to Microsoft’s Azure and rebranding. The game returned in 2022 on a trial basis, and Krafton is now gearing up for a new version, Lite, by the end of 2026. This resilience shows the company’s commitment to the Indian market.

Recently, Krafton’s chairman, Chang Byung-gyu, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing future collaborations in gaming and technology. The company is also fostering local talent through initiatives like KIGI Academy, which aims to train professionals in game development and digital creation.

As Krafton pushes beyond gaming into AI and robotics, its continued investment in India signals a broader tech vision for the world’s second-most populous country.