KRAFTON, Inc. is a South Korean group specializing in video game development and publishing, headquartered in Seoul. Best known for PUBG: Battlegrounds, it brings together several studios with distinct creative identities and distributes its games on PC, consoles and mobile devices. Its business model combines the long-term operation of online games, the launch of new intellectual properties and the acquisition of development teams. Its corporate website, krafton.com, presents its activities and portfolio.
From Bluehole to an international group
KRAFTON’s story begins with Bluehole, a studio founded in South Korea in 2007, notably responsible for the online role-playing game TERA. The shift in scale came with PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, released in 2017. Built around the “battle royale” concept, the game pits players against one another on a map whose playable area gradually shrinks. Its success helped establish this format at the heart of the global video game market.
The KRAFTON name was adopted in 2018 to bring a collection of studios together. The group listed on the Korea Exchange in 2021, a milestone that accompanied its international expansion. Beyond its South Korean base, it has developed a presence in several creative hubs, particularly in North America and Europe. The acquisition of Unknown Worlds, the studio behind Subnautica, illustrates this ambition to diversify its game worlds and expertise.
From online games to new experiences
PUBG remains the group’s cornerstone franchise. Its ongoing operation relies on regular updates, additional content, virtual items and events designed to keep its communities engaged. The ecosystem also includes mobile versions, developed or operated through various partnerships and across different markets. This setup requires expertise in network infrastructure, anti-cheat measures and the management of services accessible at scale.
KRAFTON’s portfolio is not limited to competitive games, however. Unknown Worlds contributes its expertise in exploration and survival experiences, while Striking Distance Studios made its name with The Callisto Protocol, a narrative-driven horror game. With inZOI, launched in early access in 2025, the group is also entering the life simulation genre. These games cater to different ways of playing and are intended to reduce dependence on a single franchise over time.
What’s next?
KRAFTON’s main challenge is to turn this diversification into lasting success without weakening ongoing support for PUBG. The group is also exploring artificial intelligence, particularly to enhance character behavior and production tools. The value of these technologies will be measured by their tangible contribution to games. In an industry facing high development costs and intense competition for attention, budget control, launch quality and player trust will remain decisive.