The MoU will see KRAFTON work closely with the state government to stimulate and help nurture the state’s Technology and Gaming ecosystems
From left to right: Mr. I R Vala – Secretary, Sports Authority of Gujarat; Mr. Ninama – Director General, Sports Authority of Gujarat; Mr. Ashwini Kumar (IAS) – Principal Secretary, Sports Youth and Cultural Activities Department, Govt. Of Gujarat; Mr. Harsh Sanghavi – Hon’ble Minister for Sports Youth and Cultural Activities, Govt. Of Gujarat; Mr. Sean Hyunil Sohn – CEO, KRAFTON India; Mr. Udit Sheth, Founder & MD TransStadia; Mr. Vibhor Kukreti – Head Government Affairs & CSR at KRAFTON India
In a significant development for the Indian gaming industry, KRAFTON, Inc., the leading South Korean video game developer, has announced a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Gujarat and TransStadia Technologies Pvt. Ltd. This collaboration is set to stimulate the technology, gaming, and esports ecosystem in Gujarat, furthering KRAFTON’s dedicated efforts to cultivate India’s overall gaming and technology environment.
The vibrant state of Gujarat, known for its rapid economic growth and burgeoning status as a magnet for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), is now poised to become a pivotal center for the esports and gaming industry. The state’s commitment to technological innovation and digital infrastructure makes it an ideal partner for KRAFTON, aiming to propel the local and national gaming scenes to new heights.
“We are immensely proud to announce our partnership with the Government of Gujarat, a collaboration representing a significant stride forward for game development and esports in India. By combining Gujarat’s vibrant growth environment and our expertise in game development and esports, we are set to create unparalleled opportunities for talent development, infrastructure enhancement, and community engagement. We firmly believe that this collaboration will have a profound and positive impact, fostering innovation, and inspiring a new generation of gamers and developers.” said Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO, KRAFTON India.
The Government of Gujarat expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing its alignment with the state’s vision for digital and economic growth. Sh. Harsh Sanghavi , Hon’ble Minister for Home, Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities, Government of Gujarat, remarked, “Government of Gujarat will benefit from this collaboration with KRAFTON as it will undoubtedly catalyze our efforts to transform Gujarat into an indigenous and interactive hub for e-sports. We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on our youth and the broader e-sports gaming community.”
KRAFTON has already invested USD 160 million in Indian startups since 2021 and plans to invest an additional USD 150 million over the next 2-3 years. In line with this commitment, KRAFTON recently launched the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator program, an initiative designed to nurture game development talent in India by providing funding, mentorship, and essential resources to promising developers.
More recently, KRAFTON India also hosted BMPS 2023 (BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA PRO SERIES) in Ahmedabad, a collaborative effort by KRAFTON and the city of Ahmedabad to foster the growing gaming ecosystem. With the signing of this MoU, the future of gaming and esports in Gujarat and India at large is brighter than ever. This collaboration is expected to create new opportunities, nurture talent, and establish Gujarat as a landmark destination for the global gaming community.
