Exclusive: Krafton Provides Clarification on Chairman's Statements about PUBG Mobile India

Chairman of Krafton, Chang Byung-gyu’s quote to Seoul Economic Daily was publicized by many news outlets earlier yesterday.  In an exclusive comment to AFK Gaming, a Krafton representative has since clarified that the message was misinterpreted and added that Krafton’s original quote was as follows. “We are awaiting for Indian government’s consideration and decision on our next plan with PUBG in the region.” He added that Krafton’s stance has always been the same and that they are trying to bring the game back to the country as soon as possible. There is no official word on when or if the game will be successfully brought back, but the company has stated that it is working towards it.

Krafton is Currently Focusing on the New App Exclusively Designed for India

Upon being asked whether this statement applies to PUBG Mobile, PUBG PC and even the upcoming PUBG: New State, Krafton stated that it was currently focussing on the “new app exclusively designed for India,” indicating that the company’s focus is still on PUBG Mobile India, 

“For now, we at Krafton are focusing heavily on offering the service on the new app exclusively designed for India.”

PUBG Mobile India was announced in November 2020 along with a $100 Million USD investment by Krafton with the objective of cultivating the local video game, esports, entertainment, and IT industries in India. The new app was set to feature several new features like the game being set in a virtual simulation training ground, new characters automatically starting clothed, green hit effects, and restricted game time for younger players. However, PUBG Mobile India remains unreleased for now.

Krafton Inc recently announced its new game PUBG: New State, which excluded India as one of its initial launch regions. The Hindi version of the official website was recently discovered, but we have to wait for an update from Krafton to know when India will get access to PUBG Mobile or PUBG: New State.

Earlier today Krafton’s Head-Corporate Development Sean Hyunil Sohn talked about how important the Indian market is at the India Gaming Conference 2021. On being asked about the possible re-entry of PUBG Mobile in India by Akshat Rathee (co-founder of NODWIN Gaming), Sohn stated, "I cannot really tell a timing because we don't know yet. But what I can tell you is that we care about the Indian market greatly, and that's why I get to know you, and I get to know a lot of friends in the Indian gaming industry. So definitely, we will work hard to make it happen."

Krafton has been working actively with the Indian esports community recently, including a recent partnership with NODWIN Gaming to broadcast the PUBG Global Invitational.S event as well a new country manager being appointed for India with a full operations team.

RELATED:  Krafton Says It Cares Greatly About PUBG Mobile in India

Disclosure: NODWIN Gaming is a minority investor in and a client of AFK Gaming.