KRAFTON acquires controlling stake in Nautilus Mobile; invests ₹118 crore

South Korea-based KRAFTON has announced it has acquired a controlling stake in Nautilus Mobile, a Pune-based game development studio renowned for its popular Real Cricket franchise, in a ₹118-crore transaction.

The transaction marks KRAFTON’s first control deal in India. The company attributed this to Nautilus Mobile establishing itself as a leader in mobile sports gaming.

This transaction is said to strengthen the synergy between the two, combining Nautilus Mobile’s expertise in sports gaming with KRAFTON’s global resources and technological capabilities to drive innovation, expand market reach, and create opportunities for Indian game developers.

Founded in 2013, Nautilus Mobile has built a franchise in the mobile cricket gaming space. In 2020, JetSynthesys acquired a 100 per cent stake in Nautilus Mobile, further accelerating its growth. In February 2022, KRAFTON invested ₹40.5 crore in Nautilus.

Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO, KRAFTON India, said: “At KRAFTON, we are committed to identifying and supporting companies that have the potential to shape the future of game development. As an existing investor in Nautilus Mobile, we have witnessed the companys’ impressive growth and its ability to deliver world-class gaming content under Jet Synthesys’ leadership. This acquisition is a testament to our long-term vision of making India a global hub for game development. We are excited to deepen this partnership and work together to create world-class gaming experiences that resonate with Indian and global players.”

After this acquisition by KRAFTON, JetSynthesys will remain as a significant minority investor in Nautilus Mobile, and continue to work with Nautilus Mobile on strategically important areas, especially in Esports.

Anuj Mankar, CEO, Nautilus Mobile, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with KRAFTON in this next phase of our journey. Real Cricket, a product made in India for Indians, has the potential to become the first Indian sports game exported globally. With KRAFTON’s global expertise and strong industry network, we’re confident in our ability to elevate the franchise and explore new opportunities in mobile gaming. This partnership will allow us to push the boundaries of innovation and expand our reach, while continuing to deliver engaging and high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide.”

Nautilus Mobile’s Real Cricket franchise is one of the biggest mobile cricket game franchise in the world, making this acquisition a strategic opportunity to expand and enhance cricket gaming experiences for Indian and global audiences, KRAFTON said.