The Indian gaming landscape is buzzing with innovation, and a major catalyst behind this surge is KRAFTON India’s Gaming Incubator (KIGI) program. A recent video, “From Discovery to Development: The Journey of KIGI Cohort 2 | #KraftonIndia,” offers an insightful look into the remarkable progress and invaluable experiences of the studios participating in the second cohort. It’s a testament to KRAFTON’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and elevating the standards of game development in the country.
KRAFTON India’s KIGI Cohort 2: From Concept to Alpha – A Six-Month Leap
One of the most striking takeaways from the KIGI program, as highlighted in the video, is the rapid evolution of the participating studios. Within a mere six months, teams transitioned from nascent ideas and rudimentary prototypes to polished alpha-stage prototypes. This accelerated development cycle underscores the efficacy of KIGI’s structured approach and the intense mentorship provided.
Anuj Sahani, Head of the KIGI Program, said in a recently uploaded video by KRAFTON India’s on it’s YouTube channel“Mentors help team to understand how they can improve the core look of the game, the monetization of the game, and a strong meta layer so that users are engaged with the game for a very long time.
Audience-Centric Development: A Core Philosophy
A recurring theme among the cohort members is the profound shift in their decision-making processes. As one participant eloquently put it, the biggest learning has been to make decisions “inclined towards our audience and our business goals.” This emphasis on player value and market viability ensures that the games developed are not just technically sound but also resonate with their target audience. Mentors consistently drilled down on whether a feature “add[s] value to the player,” steering developers towards impactful and engaging gameplay.
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Building a Robust Production Pipeline
Beyond creative ideation, KIGI places a strong emphasis on the practicalities of game development. The program instills “a lot of focus and emphasis on building a production pipeline” and provides “tight guidelines in terms of how we should be looking at our release milestones.” This structured approach is crucial for aspiring studios, helping them establish professional development practices that are essential for long-term success in the competitive gaming industry.
Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO at KRAFTON India, said in a recently uploaded video by KRAFTON India’s on it’s YouTube channel, “So far we have been working with the 10 studios. During studio discovery and selection process, I found that more and large number of studios have passion to make the best game. That’s the one quality that we are looking for and second thing is the teamwork and third is the growth at individual level. As we move on the next KIGI Cohort, we have seen more diverse and larger number of studios have been applying for the KIGI Cohort 2. KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator aka KIGI is positioning as a destination for the growth to the next level for Indian Game Developers.”
Mentorship: The Backbone of KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator Program
The heart of the KIGI program lies in its robust mentorship and financial support system. The video showcases the invaluable guidance provided by mentors with “dozens of years of experience.” Their high-quality feedback allows teams to “improve the game rapidly,” addressing critical aspects like the core loop, monetization strategies, and building a “strong meta layer so that users are engaged with the game for a very long time.” Beyond technical and design guidance, mentors also provide introspective insights into how companies operate and optimize their process pipelines, ensuring sustainable growth for the studios.
What KIGI Looks For: Passion, Persistence, and a Clear Vision
For aspiring game developers eyeing a spot in future KIGI cohorts, the video offers clear insights into the qualities KRAFTON seeks. The program looks for “persistence and also passion to make the best game,” emphasizing the importance of teamwork and individual grit. The most successful teams possess a “clear vision for what they want to build,” a “disciplined sense of execution,” and, crucially, are “willing to learn.” These attributes are vital for navigating the intensive program and making the most of the opportunities presented.
The KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator is clearly more than just a funding program; it’s a comprehensive ecosystem designed to empower the next generation of Indian game developers. By fostering talent, providing expert guidance, and promoting best practices, KIGI is not just incubating games; it’s cultivating a vibrant and globally competitive Indian gaming industry.
