Krafton’s Expanding Presence in India: Strategic Collaborations, Esports Growth, and a Roadmap for the Future

The 2024 Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) Pro Series concluded with a resounding success at the Adlux International Convention & Exhibition Centre on September 29, drawing record crowds and setting new viewership milestones. The event, which has cemented its place as the most successful esports competition for BGMI this year, saw peak concurrent viewership soar to nearly 494,000 on the official broadcast channel.

The staggering figures mark a watershed moment for BGMI’s competitive landscape, which, despite its prominence in Indian esports, had been facing a dip in viewership and engagement in recent years. Krafton India, the game's developer and publisher, appears to have reversed that trend with this tournament, signaling a renewed momentum for the game.

The buzz surrounding this year’s Pro Series extends beyond the professional circuit. Krafton’s innovative in-game updates and strategic partnerships have broadened BGMI’s appeal among casual players, keeping them hooked with novel content and features. One of the most notable additions is the BGMI “WOW Mode,” which introduces a fresh set of smaller, dynamic maps with distinct gameplay rules, aimed at offering a quicker and more varied gaming experience compared to the traditional classic mode.

The introduction of this mode, alongside high-profile collaborations with Indian celebrities like Deepika Padukone, has reinvigorated BGMI’s player base and bolstered its reach among non-traditional gamers. These updates, combined with the success of the Pro Series, indicate that Krafton India’s strategy to diversify its player engagement and elevate its competitive scene is paying dividends. 

In a recent conversation with Siddharth Mehrotra, Head of Business Development at Krafton India, and Karan Pathak, Associate Director of Esports at KRAFTON India, we got an inside look at the company’s plans, challenges, and expectations as they strive to capture an even larger share of the market.