KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator Interview Reveals Anniversary Highlights, Post-Incubation Success, and Future Growth

In a recent interaction with India Today Gaming, Anuj Sahani, Head of KRAFTON India's Gaming Incubator Program, shared valuable insights into the Indian gaming ecosystem, the role of KRAFTON in supporting developers, and how the country can become a global leader in game development. Here's a detailed Q&A based on the discussion:

Q1: What motivated KRAFTON to create the India Gaming Incubator, and how does it align with the company strategy?

Anuj Sahani: India is the biggest consumer of games, with around 590 million gamers. But in terms of game development, we are still at a very nascent stage. That’s mainly because we don’t have a strong support system here in India to support young developers. At KRAFTON, we wanted to uplift the Indian gaming ecosystem by empowering young developers to create world-class games. That's why we came up with the incubator program, which provides 360-degree support to young developers who want to focus on building their careers in the Indian gaming market. We believe that mentorship and support at the early stages of development are crucial for developers with great ideas but who may lack expertise in certain aspects of game development."

Q2: How crucial is the financial assistance of up to $150,000 for game development, and how has it benefited the developers?

Anuj Sahani: The financial support we provide is milestone-based. We understand that since game development in India is still in its early stages, this financial assistance is critical for young developers. It helps them hire additional resources, acquire hardware, and software, and stay focused on the creative aspects of game development rather than worrying about financial constraints. It motivates the teams to continue their journey, stay focused, and work on building great products.

Q3: How do you envision the impact of the KRAFTON Incubator on India’s broader gaming ecosystem?

Anuj Sahani: The KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator is designed to uplift the ecosystem and increase the success rate of games developed in India. We want to ensure that the content created here reaches global audiences. There is a lot of cultural content in India that people across the world are not aware of, and through the incubator, we want to showcase this content to the global market. Our goal is to help Indian developers make games that can compete globally and make India a recognized hub for high-quality gaming.

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Q4: Do you believe that India can become a global leader in the competitive e-gaming ecosystem in the coming years?

Anuj Sahani: Yes, I believe that in the next five to ten years, India can definitely become a global competitor in game development. India has great talent, and we already see many gaming companies emerging. However, there hasn't been a program that actively supports young developers to bring their ideas to life. Through initiatives like the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator, developers now have the support and mentorship they need. As a result, we will see India producing world-class games that can compete with the best in the global market.

Q5: How do you see the relationship between Indian game developers and global developers evolving, and what can India do to position itself as a key player?

Anuj Sahani: To be a key player in the competitive market, India needs to meet certain benchmarks in terms of quality. While this area is still catching up, it’s improving year after year. With programs like the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator and other similar initiatives, Indian developers will be able to compete with global developers. They’ll be able to create games that are not only high-quality but also liked by people around the world. This will help India establish itself as a key player in the global gaming market.

Q6: How do you see the social aspect of gaming evolving in India, especially with the rise of online gaming communities and social gaming?

Anuj Sahani: "The social gaming scene in India is evolving rapidly. We see this through our games, as many users engage in voice chats, participate in in-game chats, and are highly active in community features. Over the years, we’ve seen consistent growth in these areas. KRAFTON is focused on promoting social gaming by working with developers to add features like voice chat and community building. We aim to bring gamers from India together and connect them with players across the globe through these social layers."

Q7: With the recent launch of Cookie Run in India, which is part of casual gaming, how is KRAFTON integrating casual gaming into its broader ecosystem?

Anuj Sahani: Cookie Run is indeed a casual game, but it also has a strong social component. It allows players to engage with friends, compete with them, and interact socially within the game. While casual gaming may be seen as more relaxed, KRAFTON aims to bring a social aspect to this space as well. The goal is to create casual games that are not just about play but also about connecting with others.

Q8: What role do Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) play in gaming, and how do you see these technologies influencing the industry?

Anuj Sahani: AI and ML were already part of the gaming industry before, but their scale has evolved significantly. These technologies are now helping young developers speed up their game creation processes. For example, one of our incubator teams was working on a match-three game. Their biggest challenge was generating levels, but with the help of AI, they were able to create an AI system that generates levels through machine learning. This allowed them to create content more quickly. AI and ML are revolutionizing game development, enabling faster production with higher quality.

Q9: How does the KRAFTON Incubator help Indian developers adapt to AI and ML technologies?

Anuj Sahani: At the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator, we always promote developers to explore and understand new technologies. We help them understand how AI and ML can complement their game development processes. Many of these developers are new to the industry, and we guide them in using these tools effectively. Our goal is to ensure they can optimize their development processes, create high-quality games, and bring them to market faster.

Q10: What does the future hold for India's gaming ecosystem, and how do you see KRAFTON’s role in shaping it?

Anuj Sahani: I’m optimistic about the future of India's gaming ecosystem. In the next few years, we will see a lot of successful games coming from India. With our support, and the support of the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator, developers will be able to create games that compete on the global stage. India has the talent, the creativity, and the resources to become a major player in the global gaming market.

Conclusion

This conversation with Anuj Sahani sheds light on the transformative role of the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator in fostering the growth of India's gaming ecosystem. By providing mentorship, financial assistance, and access to cutting-edge technologies, KRAFTON is empowering young Indian developers to create world-class games and position India as a future leader in the global gaming market.