Krafton Inc., a South Korean video game developer, has forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Gujarat and TransStadia Technologies Pvt. Ltd. This partnership aims to revitalise the technology, gaming, and esports landscape in Gujarat.

Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India, expressed pride in the collaboration. As reported on Moneycontrol, he said, “By combining Gujarat’s vibrant growth environment and our expertise in game development and esports, we are set to create unparalleled opportunities for talent development, infrastructure enhancement, and community engagement”.

The Government of Gujarat echoed this sentiment, affirming its commitment to fostering digital and economic growth through strategic collaborations. Sh. Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Minister for Home, Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities, Government of Gujarat, emphasized the impact the partnership will have on Gujarat’s esports ecosystem and its youth. StoryBoard18 quoted him saying, “Government of Gujarat will benefit from this collaboration with Krafton as it will undoubtedly catalyze our efforts to transform Gujarat into an indigenous and interactive hub for e-sports. We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on our youth and the broader esports gaming community.”

Krafton’s investment in Indian start-ups since 2021 has already amounted to USD 160 million, with plans for an additional USD 150 million investment over the next two to three years. This shows the company’s commitment to nurturing game development talent in India, as demonstrated by initiatives like the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator program.

Krafton recently hosted the BMPS 2023 (BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA PRO SERIES) in Ahmedabad, where 16 teams competed for a prize pool of Rs.1 crore. The 3-day event had an attendance of about 15,000 spectators.

This collective effort underscores the potential for Gujarat to emerge as a hub for gaming and esports, driving innovation and inspiring the next generation of gamers and developers.