South Korean gaming powerhouse Krafton has solidified its presence in India’s booming mobile gaming market by acquiring a majority stake in Pune-based studio Nautilus Mobile. The $14 million all-cash deal grants Krafton over 75% ownership of the developer behind the popular Real Cricket franchise, known for its cricket-focused titles that resonate with India’s sports-loving audience.
Nautilus Mobile, founded in 2013, will retain its operational independence and workforce of 45 employees post-acquisition. The studio’s Real Cricket series has amassed millions of downloads across five titles, including the recently launched Real Cricket 24 and Real Cricket Premier League. Krafton plans to enhance the studio’s existing cricket games while exploring new genres to expand its global appeal.
“This partnership allows us to combine Nautilus’ deep understanding of cricket gaming with Krafton’s technical expertise,” said Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India. “We’re positioned to create experiences that resonate both in India and international markets.”
The acquisition aligns with India’s rapid mobile gaming growth, where smartphone users drive 77.9% of the country’s $640 million gaming revenue. Industry projections suggest this figure could reach $1.1 billion by 2028. Krafton’s move diversifies its portfolio beyond the successful Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), which surpassed 200 million downloads and achieved record sales in 2024.
Nautilus CEO Anuj Mankar emphasized the strategic benefits: “Krafton’s resources will accelerate our development capabilities, enabling us to innovate faster and explore cross-platform opportunities.” The studio plans to leverage Krafton’s global network to expand into other cricket-loving markets like Australia, England, and South Africa.
This transaction follows Krafton’s initial $5.4 million investment in 2022 and JetSynthesys’ complete acquisition of Nautilus in 2020. JetSynthesys will maintain minority ownership, continuing collaboration on esports initiatives and IPL team partnerships. Krafton has committed over $200 million in Indian startups since 2021, spanning gaming, audio platforms, and fintech solutions.
Corporate Development Lead Nihansh Bhat outlined success metrics: “We’ll track user growth, retention rates, and revenue expansion while exploring new licensing opportunities. Our goal is to establish cricket gaming as a global genre, not just an Indian specialty.”
The deal positions Krafton among 15 global studios under its umbrella, strengthening its foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets. Analysts suggest this acquisition could pave the way for cross-studio collaborations and advanced gameplay features leveraging Krafton’s proprietary technologies.
