KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI), launched by the makers of PUBG and Subnautica, has announced a significant expansion for its second startup cohort, onboarding six new gaming studios from across India. The latest move underscores KRAFTON’s long-term commitment to nurturing homegrown game development talent and supporting India’s rapidly growing gaming ecosystem.
KIGI’s Second Cohort: A Diverse Mix of Game Studios
The newly selected studios for KIGI’s second cohort are:
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Kleanup Games – Mumbai
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Singular Scheme – Mumbai
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Advaita Interactive – Kolkata
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Smash Head Studio – Bengaluru
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Unwind Games – Hyderabad
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Ginger Games – New Delhi
With this expansion, KIGI broadens its geographic footprint to emerging game development hubs like Kolkata and Madurai, promoting a more inclusive and diversified growth of India’s gaming talent.
Funding & Mentorship Support
Each selected studio will receive funding support of up to $150,000 and mentorship lasting between six to twelve months, offering guidance across game design, production, and go-to-market strategies.
The incubator program is designed not only to fund game development but also to provide hands-on support in bringing innovative ideas to life — from concept to launch.
Strategic Partnerships to Boost Game Development
To offer comprehensive development support, KRAFTON India has partnered with industry leaders such as:
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AWS (Amazon Web Services) – Cloud infrastructure and hosting solutions
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AccelByte – Integration of core backend features for online gameplay
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App Magic & GameRefinery – Market analytics, design insights, and competitor benchmarking
These collaborations aim to empower participating studios with backend tools, cloud credits, and real-time analytics, significantly enhancing their development efficiency and market readiness.
New Game Genres and Innovation
The second cohort features a broader range of game genres. One of the standout projects is a detective game powered by AI from the Kolkata-based Advaita Interactive, allowing players to solve murder mysteries interactively. The batch also includes a PC game, signaling the diversity and ambition of the participating teams.
KRAFTON’s Continued Investment in India
KIGI was officially launched in 2023 by South Korea-based KRAFTON, which has consistently shown interest in India’s vibrant gaming market. Since 2021, the company has invested over $200 million in Indian startups and esports ventures, making it one of the leading foreign investors in the Indian gaming space.
KRAFTON’s continued investments, including KIGI, reflect the company’s belief in India as a future gaming powerhouse — especially as interest in mobile gaming, cricket-based games, and esports continues to surge.
Building the Future of Indian Gaming
With the second cohort of KIGI, KRAFTON India reinforces its role as a key enabler in the Indian game development landscape. By extending its support beyond metros and embracing regional game studios, KIGI is paving the way for a new generation of game developers, ready to create world-class experiences from India.
