KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator Interview Reveals Its Big Plans for India’s Game Industry
KRAFTON's KIGI empowers Indian game devs with funding, mentorship, and global exposure.
Image via India Today Gaming
KRAFTON's India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) is a pioneering program designed to make India a force to be reckoned with in the gaming industry. With an eye towards innovation and accessibility, KIGI empowers solo developers, startups, and students with expert mentorship, funding, and access to top-class resources. Talking to Rahul Harza, Sub Editor, India Today Gaming, Anuj Sahani, Head of KIGI, discussed how the initiative is shaping the future of game development in India, extending beyond metro cities and enabling creators from the entire nation to thrive.
Here’s the breakdown of the conversation
Q1: What motivated the expansion to new gaming hubs like Kolkata, Madurai and Mumbai? What kind of talent are you hoping to discover in these cities?
Anuj Sahani: Our programme aims to support game development talent across India, including regions where the industry isn't well established. For example, we incubated a team from Nagaland to ensure opportunities reach beyond major cities. We believe great talent can come from anywhere be it Bangalore, Madurai, or Kolkata as long as there's passion and potential to build a successful gaming startup.
Q2: The partnerships with AWS, Google Cloud and others are significant. What kind of resources, mentorship, or the technological supports will this partnership provide to the incubated game department teams?
Anuj Sahani: We've partnered with platforms like AWS, Axelbyte, GameRefinery, and AppMagic to support startups in key areas where they often lack resources or expertise. These tools help address technical gaps such as backend infrastructure, multiplayer features, and market analysis that small teams typically struggle with. While Google is still in discussion, AWS supports scalable infrastructure, Axelbyte offers social and multiplayer features, and GameRefinery and AppMagic provide valuable competitive insights that are otherwise costly and time-consuming for startups to access.
Q3: How does Krafton aims to showcase Indian games to the world through the programme? And are there specific strategies in place for international exposures?
Anuj Sahani: KRAFTON has a global footprint, with offices and mentors from regions like Korea, the US, Canada, and Europe. This international mentor network gives incubated teams valuable global exposure, helping them understand what works in different markets beyond India. While many games may start with Indian audiences in mind, mentorship often guides teams to adapt their games for broader global appeal.
Q4: Can you provide any insights into the selection process of the second Cohort? What were some key criteria as you look for these applicants?
Anuj Sahani: Our selection process is simple and open through our website, but this year we’ve relaxed the criteria compared to the first cohort. This change reflects the evolving nature of India’s game development ecosystem and has allowed us to support more teams from diverse regions. We're also broadening our scope beyond casual games, encouraging projects that experiment with technologies like AI—for example, Agbeta Interactive from Kolkata is developing an AI-driven detective game.
Q5: What are the key milestones or deliverables expected from the teams in the second Cohort?
Anuj Sahani: "Our programme is milestone-based, with quarterly goals to keep teams on track. While we don’t expect 100% completion, achieving 70–80% is considered a success, given the early-stage nature of startups. For mobile games, we aim for a soft launch during incubation to help teams understand live ops and KPIs. For PC games, we push for early access on Steam to gather user feedback and wishlist data. By the end of the programme, we also help teams plan their next steps whether it's further development, fundraising, or publishing strategies.
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The Krafton India Gaming Incubator program is more than an initiative, it's a movement that's changing the nature of game development and who gets to develop it. From our discussion with Anuj Sahani, it's evident that KRAFTON isn't merely offering resources and guidance but confidence and vision as well to fledgling developers. With initiatives like KIGI, the Indian gaming world is no longer a market, it's evolving into a creative hub. With more talent uncovered and developed, the sector is ready for exponential growth, fueled by passion, collaboration, and innovation.
