An agreement has been established between Krafton, a leading game publisher from South Korea known for globally acclaimed PUBG, and sports company TransStadia, with the Gujarat government in India.
The objective of this partnership is to metamorphose Gujarat into a robust center for esports and gaming.
This MoU sets forth plans for cooperative endeavours to nurture the gaming environment within the state, possibly initiating specialized esports infrastructure.
Additionally, the initiative will focus on grooming local talent. It is probable that specific training programs and educational courses would be designed to empower and equip budding esports enthusiasts and professionals in the state, thus preparing a cadre of competent individuals ready to conquer the world of competitive gaming.
The MoU also has the potential to lay the foundation for a vibrant gaming industry in Gujarat.
The CEO of Krafton India, Sean Hyunil Sohn, commented, “Marrying Gujarat’s dynamic growth environment with our gaming development and esports expertise will generate unprecedented opportunities for infrastructural development, talent fostering, and community engagement.”
Gujarat’s Minister for Home, Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities, Harsh Sanghavi, remarked, “This collaboration with Krafton will accelerate our efforts to turn Gujarat into an indigenous interactive hub for esports”
This is not the first time that Krafton has ventured into the Indian gaming market. In August 2023, the firm pledged an investment of $150 million in Indian gaming startups and interactive entertainment within a span of two to three years, indicating Krafton’s faith in the potential of India to emerge as a global gaming hub.
Krafton has already proven its commitment to India’s esports scene. The gaming giant hosted the successful Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series in Ahmedabad in November 2023, drawing more than 15,000 spectators and showcasing India’s vast esports potential. The participation of Indian cricket player Hardik Pandya and Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh in promoting BGMI, and JioCinema’s partnership as the official streaming platform, further highlights Krafton’s dedication to cultivating a prosperous ecosystem for esports in India.
TransStadia is an Indian company that operates in various sectors of sports, including infrastructure development, content marketing, and modular arena seating production. Its efforts have significantly contributed to the progress of esports in India, having partnered exclusively to introduce Beach Soccer in the country.
The MoU with the Gujarat government suggests Krafton may continue its success in the state by making Gujarat a hotspot for future esports events and initiatives.