JetSynthesys Acquires Nautilus Mobile To Expand Footprint In Mobile Gaming

Digital entertainment and technology company JetSynthesys has announced a 100% acquisition of mobile game development studio Nautilus Mobile. 

With the acquisition, the Mumbai-headquartered JetSynthesys aims to strengthen its footprint in the gaming segment, as the Pune-based Nautilus Mobile is the developer of the popular ‘Real Cricket’ franchise, a series of mobile-based cricket simulation games. 

The company claims that with Nautilus Mobile under its wing, JetSynthesys is now the number one skill-based gaming franchise in the world, with more than 100 Mn downloads a highly engaged community of over 1 Cr (10 Mn) monthly active users (MAUs). 

In the past, JetSynthesys has also made its presence felt in the cricket-simulation gaming segment. An exclusive joint venture with former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar helped the company launch Sachin Saga Cricket Champions, an immersive mobile game also available in the virtual reality (VR) mode, in which users play as Tendulkar. 

JetSynthesys claims that the acquisition will help combine the prowess of both companies in offering authentic cricket action. 

“The acquisition of Nautilus Mobile expands our community further and solidifies our position at the forefront of skill-based cricket gaming across the world,” said Rajan Navani, vice president and managing director of JetSynthesys. 

“With the online gaming industry skyrocketing, the acquisition also sets the ball rolling on our plan to deepen our foray into cricket esports. We will be announcing a host of exciting tournaments over the next 12 months leading up to the much-awaited T20 Cricket World Cup to engage with this expansive community of 100 Mn gamers that we’ve brought together,” Navani added. 

Founded in 2014 by Rajan Navani, JetSynthesys is part of the Navani family owned JetLine Group of Companies. Besides gaming, JetSynthesys has also launched mobile applications in other domains. The company counts Vi-Tune, a video ringtone app and Channel Fight, an OTT platform offering fight action films and documentaries, among others. Further, JetSynthesys also cofounded popular Indian esports startup Nodwin Gaming. 

In July this year, JetSynthesys raised INR 300 Cr from existing stakeholders, Infosys’ cofounder Kris Gopalakrishnan, Adar Poonawalla family office and Navani family-owned Jetline Group. Thermax family office, Triveni Group and DSP Group have also invested in this round.

Online Gaming Outlook In India

Currently, India is home to more than 278 Mn online gaming users who make up approximately 46% of the total 604 Mn internet subscribers in India. This number is expected to reach 312 Mn by the year 2020. A major driving force behind the rise of mobile gaming in India is due to the 54% surge in internet users from 391 Mn in 2016 to 604 Mn in 2018.

The forecast for the online gaming industry in India in terms of revenue is also buoyant. A recent report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and consultancy firm EY noted that the online gaming industry, including transaction-based real money skill games and casual games, clocked around INR 6,460 Cr in revenues in the financial year 2019-2020, with transaction-based games accounting for around INR 4,600 Cr. The report estimates the CAGR of the industry to be more than 40 per cent and the industry to reach a size of around INR 18,700 Cr by the financial year 2021-22.

The study further states that the number of gamers in the country would be around 36.5 Cr and the sector would employ around 40,000 people by 2022.