Key Takeaways
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- Revenue Growth and Diversification: Krafton recorded an 11.9% increase in revenue for the first half of 2025, driven by successes in PC, mobile devices, and consoles/others. Key contributors include PUBG: Battlegrounds on PC and popular content on mobile devices.
- New Game Initiatives: Krafton is expanding the PUBG universe with new games such as PUBG: Blindspot and Project Black Budget, targeting various platforms and genres. They are also actively developing new intellectual property franchises.
- Global Expansion: Krafton is establishing a 2nd Party Publishing model with games like Rivals Hover League and continuing support for record-breaking titles like Inzoi for global expansion. They have also made strategic investments in adtech and gaming markets.
- Investments in AI and Technological Advancements: Krafton is making significant investments in AI, as shown by the launch of Orak, a language model benchmark designed for evaluating AI agents. They are also exploring possibilities in other emerging technologies to shape the future of gaming.
Krafton Shatters Revenue Records in First Half of 2025, Led by PUBG and Mobile Success
Krafton announced record-breaking earnings for the first half of 2025. Under Korea’s International Financial Reporting Standards (KIFRS), the company generated KRW 703.3 billion in revenue, marking its strongest first-half performance to date. This represents an 11.9% increase in revenue and a 9.5% increase in operating profit compared to the same period last year. In Q2 alone, revenue reached KRW 662 billion and operating profit was KRW 246 billion. Key revenue contributors for the first half included PC at KRW 543.2 billion, mobile devices at KRW 960 billion, and consoles/others at KRW 33 billion. Growth on PC was primarily driven by PUBG: Battlegrounds, benefiting from major online service updates and the April launch of the character enhancement system, Competitor. The mobile segment also performed strongly, fueled by popular content such as progressive skins, including Xsuits. Furthermore, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) continued its expansion in India through strategic collaborations with local local brands and targeted marketing efforts.
Krafton Expands PUBG Universe with New Games and IPs, Strengthening Studio Capabilities
For the period leading up to mid-2025, Krafton has outlined significant initiatives to enhance player engagement, including collaborations with high-profile partners like Bugatti and Aespa. The company also plans to expand the PUBG universe with new games across multiple platforms and genres. PUBG: Blindspot, a tactical shooter, is slated for global release in August at Gamescom, while Project Black Budget, an extraction shooter, will undergo a closed alpha test later this year. Krafton has actively pursued the discovery and development of new intellectual property (IP) franchises. As part of its five-year plan to create global flagship IPs, the company has launched 13 new projects, supported by top talent and cutting-edge resources. Additionally, Krafton is strengthening its internal studios and making strategic investments across diverse genres and regions.
Krafton Expands Global Reach with Rivals Hover League and Continued Support for Record-Breaking Inzoi
A key component of Krafton’s current strategy is the establishment of a flexible and scalable 2nd Party Publishing (2PP) model. This initiative begins with Rivals Hover League, a combat arena vehicle game by Ef Games, whose demo released on July 25. Other 2PP titles are also in development, combining contributions from both internal and external teams. Krafton continues to provide global support for Inzoi. This title rapidly became the fastest-selling Korean game, surpassing one million units sold and topping sales charts in 27 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia. Krafton plans to continue investing in Inzoi’s global expansion to ensure its future growth and long-term direction.
Krafton’s Future Shaped by AI Investments and Expansion into Adtech and Gaming Markets
Beyond leveraging its successful game portfolio, Krafton is also making significant investments in AI to shape the future of gaming. Recently, in partnership with SK Telecom, the company launched Orak, a new language model benchmark designed for evaluating AI agents. Together, they enhanced three open-source language models with 7 billion parameters, aiming to improve game-related decision-making and reasoning. Krafton aims to further refine these models and apply them to complex gaming scenarios. For long-term growth, the company has diversified its investments into new sectors. In April, Krafton acquired Neptune, strengthening its position in the global adtech market. In July, it made a strategic investment in Japan’s ADK Group, a top-three advertising company and anime producer. The company also acquired Eleventh Hour Games, the US developer of Last Epoch, thereby adding another significant IP to its portfolio and expanding its global presence.
Krafton’s Global Expansion and Technological Advancements Shaping Entertainment Landscape
Krafton Inc., based in South Korea, is a game publisher dedicated to delivering exciting, unique gaming experiences. Founded in 2007, Krafton is home to several prominent global development studios, including PUBG Studios, Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, Vector North, Neon Giant, Krafton Montreal Studio, Bluehole Studio, RisingWings, 5minlab, Dreamotion, Relu Games, Flyway Games, Tango Gameworks, and Inzoi Studio. These studios are committed to embracing new challenges and leveraging cutting-edge technology, with the collective aim of attracting more fans by expanding Krafton’s platforms and services. Krafton is known for popular entertainment properties such as PUBG: Battlegrounds, PUBG Mobile, Inzoi, Subnautica, Hi-Fi Rush, Dinkum, and Tera. With a globally focused and dedicated team, Krafton operates as an advanced technology powerhouse. Beyond its core gaming business, the company continually explores possibilities in areas like AI and other emerging technologies, leveraging its world-class resources. For more details on Krafton, visit its official website.
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