Krafton announced the companies selected for the second batch of its Indian mentorship program, “Krafton India Gaming Incubator (KIGI),” continuing its efforts to foster the Indian gaming development ecosystem, the company stated on the 21st.
KIGI, launched by Krafton in October 2023, aims to promote the Indian game development environment and nurture game companies with global competitiveness. Selected startups receive mentoring from industry experts for six months to a year and can receive support of up to $150,000 (approximately 200 million KRW). This assistance allows participants to realize unique game ideas and establish a practical foundation for entering the global market.
For this second batch, the number of selected companies has increased by two compared to the first batch, bringing the total to six. Emerging game development hubs have been added in places like Kolkata and Madurai to establish a nationwide game developer fostering ecosystem. Moreover, Krafton has expanded its partner network with global tech companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide crucial support in areas like cloud computing, backend infrastructure, and expert consulting.
Around 350 companies from across India applied to KIGI, and after a rigorous selection process, six startups were chosen: Kleenup Games, Advaita Interactive, Singular Scheme, Smash Head Studio, Unwind Games, and Ginger Games.
Son Hyun-il, Head of Krafton India, stated, “Games are more than just entertainment; they are a means to connect people, express themselves, and exert cultural influence. Through KIGI, Krafton will continue to support Indian developers in leading new trends and expanding the boundaries of gaming.”
The four startups that participated in the first KIGI batch have completed game development in locations like Nagaland, Gurgaon, New Delhi, and Bengaluru and are preparing for official launches. ReDimension Games successfully conducted early access for its action-adventure game, Sojourn Past, while Shura Games and Dunali Games have started soft launches on the Google Play Store. Arjuna Studios is also gearing up for a new game release.