Krafton, the maker of the popular battle royale title Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), on February 27 announced the launch of its first India-themed game Garuda Saga, as the South Korean gaming giant looks to strengthen its presence in the country.
The launch comes about three weeks after the game was first announced and opened for pre-registrations on February 5. Krafton said that its India team collaborated with South Korea-based mobile game development studio Alchemist Games to curate characters and elements inspired by Indian themes for the game.
The game, which belongs to the role-playing game (RPG) genre, will be exclusive to consumers in India and will be available as a free download on Android and iOS devices.
"We've intricately woven the vibrant essence of India into every aspect of the game, from its storyline to its characters, truly bringing Garuda Saga to life. We look forward to delivering more unforgettable gaming experiences that captivate and inspire players throughout India.” said Anuj Sahani, Head of Krafton Incubator Program and Garuda Saga lead.
Armed with a bow, players take on the role of Garuda as they navigate treacherous dungeons across multiple levels, conquering monsters and acquiring new skills on a quest to save their imprisoned friend and mentor, Allu. Krafton said the game will offer players a personalised RPG experience tailored to their unique playing style.
"Garuda Saga's charm lies in blend of Indian themes layered with fun gameplay mechanics. We look forward to the community experiencing the magic of Garuda Saga and to creating more groundbreaking games that resonate with Indian players" said Kipum Jun, CEO, Alchemist Games.
In the past year, Krafton has been working towards localising its offerings to attract more players and deepen its footprint in the country's gaming ecosystem.
Last year, the company introduced an Indian faction in its mobile strategy game 'Road To Valor: Empires' that featured characters inspired by ancient Indian tales and legends.
In December, Krafton announced that Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh will be a playable character in BGMI, currently among the most grossing apps in the country.
In August, the company pledged to invest $150 million in Indian gaming and interactive entertainment startups over the next two to three years. This brings its total commitment to the Indian market to about $290 million, making it one of the most prolific strategic investors in the country in recent years.
Krafton also announced an India-specific incubator called Krafton India Gaming Incubator in October, that will incubate game development startups in the country.
These developments come amid rising maturity among gamers in India in terms of user behaviour and their gaming habits. People have started spending money on mobile games, as they move beyond casual games to those that offer deeper experiences.
India is the fastest-growing video games market in Asia, both in terms of revenue and gamers, according to Niko Partners, a market research and consulting firm that covers video games, e-sports, and streaming in the continent.
It said the mobile and PC gaming revenue in the country is projected to reach $1.58 billion by 2027, registering a five-year compound annual growth rate of 17.2 percent from an estimated $868 million in 2023. These figures do not include revenue generated by real money games.
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