PUBG Mobile Developer Invests $22.4M in India's Nodwin Gaming

Krafton Invests $22.4 Million in Nodwin Gaming

Krafton, the company behind the widely played game PUBG Mobile, has made a $22.4 million investment in Indian esports organization Nodwin Gaming. This move, announced on Tuesday, signifies Krafton’s continued interest in the Indian market.

Nodwin Gaming's Position in the Indian Esports Landscape

Nodwin Gaming operates as a subsidiary of Nazara, a prominent Indian gaming company. It has become a leading esports firm within India, establishing a strong presence in the industry.

Nodwin's Partnerships and Services

The company, headquartered in Gurgaon, collaborates with major gaming entities. These include Blizzard Entertainment, Valve, Riot Games, and ESL.

Nodwin provides a range of services, such as event hosting, commentary provision, content production and licensing, and securing brand sponsorships.

Expansion Plans with New Capital

Nodwin recently expanded its operations into Africa. The newly acquired capital will be utilized to further accelerate growth in international markets.

Collaboration on PUBG Mobile Events

Krafton and Nodwin have been actively collaborating. Last week, they jointly announced plans to co-host two PUBG Mobile events across Asia.

Statements from Key Executives

Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director of Nodwin Gaming, stated that esports is poised to become a crucial component of the future sports entertainment sector.

He emphasized India’s potential to lead in this space, and highlighted Krafton’s investment as an endorsement of Nodwin’s work in mobile-first markets.

PUBG Mobile Ban and Krafton's Efforts

India imposed a ban on PUBG Mobile, along with numerous other apps linked to China, last year. The ban was attributed to cybersecurity concerns.

Krafton has been actively seeking to reintroduce PUBG Mobile to India, but has yet to achieve success.

Addressing Security Concerns

To address the concerns raised by New Delhi, Krafton severed its ties with Chinese publisher Tencent. A global cloud partnership with Microsoft was also established.

Sean Hyunil Sohn, head of Corporate Development at Krafton, affirmed the company’s commitment to bringing PUBG Mobile back to India, though specific details remain undisclosed.

Krafton's Vision for the Indian Market

Changhan Kim, chief executive of Krafton, expressed excitement about the partnership with Nodwin Gaming. He stated it will help cultivate the esports ecosystem and engage with fans in India.

Krafton intends to explore further investment opportunities in the region. This demonstrates their dedication to developing the local video game, esports, entertainment, and technology industries.