KRAFTON Ups Stake In Nautilus To 75% With INR 118 Cr Infusion

SUMMARY

KRAFTON India has increased its shareholding in the creator of the “Real Cricket” game to 75%

KRAFTON, which has already invested about $200 Mn in India, plans to invest an additional $150 Mn to $200 Mn to further accelerate its momentum in the country

The development comes nearly three years after KRAFTON India invested $5.4 Mn to pick up a minority shareholding in Nautilus in 2022 from JetSynthesys

South Korean gaming giant KRAFTON’s India arm has acquired a controlling stake in Pune-based game development studio Nautilus Mobile with an additional investment of INR 118 Cr (about $13.7 Mn).

With this, KRAFTON India has increased its shareholding in the creator of the “Real Cricket” game to 75%. This is the first instance of the BGMI developer acquiring a controlling stake in an Indian company.

“Nautilus, with its strong IP, established Indian user base, and proven development track record, offers a unique opportunity to deepen KRAFTON’s esports and publishing efforts in the country,” the BGMI creator said in a statement.

It is pertinent to note that digital entertainment and technology company JetSynthesys acquired a 100% stake in Nautilus in 2020.

KRAFTON India said that JetSynthesys will remain a “significant minority investor” in Nautilus following its acquisition of a majority stake. JetSynthesys will continue to work with Nautilus on strategically important areas, especially in esports.

The development comes nearly three years after KRAFTON India invested $5.4 Mn to pick up a minority shareholding in Nautilus in 2022 from JetSynthesys.

Founded in 2013 by Anuj Mankar, Nautilus is known for its titles such as Real Cricket 22 and Real Cricket 24. It also launched the Real Cricket GO, a lighter version of the game for low-end devices.

According to Google Store, each of the above titles have more than 100 Mn downloads till date.

KRAFTON’s India Expansion Plans

KRAFTON, which has already invested about $200 Mn in India to capture a lion’s share of the homegrown gaming market, plans to invest an additional $150 Mn to $200 Mn to further accelerate its momentum in the country.

The BGMI developer said it plans to continue undertaking such acquisitions in the future as well as part of its expansion strategy in India.

Speaking about its acquisition strategy, KRAFTON India told Inc42 that it will first pick minority stakes in promising Indian gaming startups, and then increase the stakes as synergies become stronger.

Previously, the gaming juggernaut has backed the likes of Nazara-backed NODWIN, Loco, game-based dating app FRND, Deftouch, among others, in India.

The company has also invested in Indian startups outside the gaming arena, including audio streaming platforms Kuku FM and Pratilipi.

KRAFTON’s focus on India is not without reason. As per a report by Lumikai, the Indian gaming sector generated about $3.8 Bn in revenue in the fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24).