KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator Interview throws light on the program’s anniversary, post-incubation benefits, and more

KRAFTON India has been one of the companies which has introduced several initiatives to boost gaming in the country, and one of them is the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) program. Aimed to nurture the next generation of gaming talent in the country, it has successfully completed a year now. To know more details about the same, we at GamingonPhone sat with Anuj Sahani, Head of the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator Program for an Interview which delved into the program’s anniversary, post-incubation benefits for the studios, and other interesting details.

Over the past year, the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) has reached several key milestones that we were particularly targeting to achieve. We were able to identify and onboard some promising studios from across the country which includes Dunali Games, Arjuna Studios, Shura Games, and ReDimension Games, each working on innovative titles that bring fresh narratives and gameplay to the Indian gaming ecosystem.

Additionally, KIGI’s mentorship and financial support have enabled these developers to make significant progress, from the conceptual stage to near-launch. For example, ReDimension has successfully developed intuitive and engaging tutorial levels for Sojourn Past and made significant strides in level design, sound design, and game controls with the guidance of mentors since joining the program. Shura Games has also successfully developed the core gameplay along with mini games for Spice Secrets. We are excited to see the impact of the program on the games’ development and we are proud of KIGI’s ability to support studios effectively in the growth journey.

Additionally, we also recently announced the opening of applications for the second cohort for KIGI and we hope to onboard more talented developers onto the programme. These milestones give us the confidence that we are on the right path to building an ecosystem where developers can push the boundaries of innovation.

2. We would like to know about how this idea was born and why the Gaming Incubator is particularly focused in India.

KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator is part of KRAFTON’s commitment to nurturing talent and innovation in the Indian gaming industry. While the industry is growing rapidly, many early-stage developers struggle with challenges like business strategy, securing funding and player engagement. With over 18,000 game developers in the country, KIGI was designed to provide a structured platform that helps developers overcome these hurdles, ensuring they have the resources needed to accelerate their projects and succeed in the competitive gaming market.

3. Alongside the addition of two more startups recently, do you plan to increase the number of startups that will benefit from this program eventually?

Yes, the goal is to bring the benefits of KIGI to as many talented startups and developers in the country as possible. Our second cohort application is currently live, and we hope to have many more talented developers join the incubator. 

4. How does KIGI prepare the studios for the competitive Indian and global gaming markets?

KIGI prepares studios for both the competitive Indian and global gaming markets by providing comprehensive support essential to their needs. We offer mentorship from industry experts, access to cutting-edge technology, and hands-on guidance in game development, design, and monetization strategies. Additionally, we focus on helping studios understand market trends, player behaviour, and product and marketing strategies, ensuring their games resonate with both Indian and international audiences.

We have a distinguished mentor panel that includes globally renowned names such as Dave Curd, VP, Creative Director, PUBG Corporation; Joseph Park, Game Portfolio Advisor, KRAFTON, Inc., and India leads Nihansh Bhat, Lead – Corporate Development, KRAFTON India and Srinjoy Das, Associate Director of Marketing among others. This expert guidance ensures that studios design games that cater to the Indian market while also being equipped to compete on a global scale.

5. How does the program aim to balance creative freedom with commercial viability for the selected studios?

One of the key aspects we address through KIGI mentorship is finding the right balance between creativity and business sustainability. We have focused on business mentorship and guiding developers on how to monetize their games effectively without compromising quality. We also provide mentorship on crucial aspects like monetization, market positioning, and user engagement to ensure that these games are commercially viable and sustainable in the long term.

6. How does KIGI ensure the financial support is used effectively by the studios?

Early in the program, the areas requiring focus are identified through close collaboration with each studio. This allows for structured guidance on resource allocation, ensuring that funds are directed towards the most critical aspects of product development. Regular check-ins, progress assessments, and mentorship also help monitor how resources are being utilized, ensuring that financial support aligns with the team’s goals and contributes to their growth throughout the program. 

7. For teams that KIGI supports in the conceptualization phase, how do you ensure they reach their full potential and dish out a furnished product?

We are currently focusing on teams in the early development phase. Our mentorship program offers a blend of creative guidance, business mentorship, and technical expertise. Each team is paired with a primary mentor along with a panel of secondary mentors, who help refine game mechanics, optimize monetization strategies, enhance marketing approaches and identify fun early on. Through workshops, feedback sessions, and expert access, teams receive the support they need to develop polished, market-ready products by the end of the program.

8. What metrics or milestones do you track to gauge the progress of studios in the incubator?

Since the mentorship is tailored to each team’s specific needs, their targets are set individually. Broadly, we monitor a range of metrics and milestones to assess progress, such as the completion of key development stages (prototype, alpha, beta), user feedback from playtesting, adherence to project timelines, and the achievement of specific gameplay and technical benchmarks. These indicators help ensure studios stay on track and meet their development objectives.

9. Does KIGI support the studios post-incubation in any metric? If yes, can you elaborate on how you do it?

Once the program concludes, participants may also be offered options to have their products published or garner venture capital funding from external investors. Additionally, KIGI may offer equity investments from KRAFTON based on each project’s development.  We are also working to further extend post-program support and by creating longer-term support systems and facilitating partnerships to help studios scale. KIGI aims to ensure that the program offers long-term benefits and assists studios in their continued success.

10. How do you envision KIGI contributing to India’s overall gaming ecosystem and economy?

The KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) is poised to significantly boost India’s gaming ecosystem and economy by nurturing local talent, fostering innovation, and creating high-quality games that can compete globally. By providing financial support, expert mentorship, and industry connections, KIGI helps Indian game developers bring their creative visions to life, thereby generating employment, attracting investment, and positioning India as a key player in the global gaming market. 

KIGI’s focus on bridging the gap between creativity and business acumen is crucial for the long-term growth of the Indian gaming industry. By helping developers understand market trends and effective monetization strategies, KIGI ensures that new games are not only innovative but also commercially viable. This holistic approach is building a robust ecosystem where indie studios can thrive, contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of the industry. 

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