Real Cricket’s next chapter brings KRAFTON and Nautilus together to rebuild one of India’s most beloved cricket gaming franchises, with a sharper technical backbone, richer presentation, and a renewed push to make it a flagship Made-in-India IP for both domestic and global markets. Anuj Sahani (Head of KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator and Associate Director, India Publishing) and Anuj Mankar (Director and CEO, Nautilus Mobile) detail how this partnership is reshaping Real Cricket’s technology, gameplay depth, and long-term vision as both a product and a cultural brand.
KRAFTON India takes over Real Cricket publishing represents a major strategic commitment to Indian-made IP
What motivated KRAFTON to partner with Nautilus and take over publishing for Real Cricket and what stood out about the game and its legacy?
Anuj Sahani: Real Cricket has long been one of India’s most successful homegrown gaming franchises. Its passionate community and authentic cricket experience made it a natural fit for KRAFTON’s vision. This partnership also supports KRAFTON’s broader aim of launching more Indian IPs and diversifying into a multiple- genre portfolio through culturally rooted titles with long-term potential.
By pairing Nautilus’ cricket expertise with KRAFTON’s global production capabilities, technology frameworks and roadmap planning, we saw a clear opportunity to elevate a beloved Indian IP to greater scale across India and other cricket-playing markets.
On Made-in-India IP vision
How does this partnership align with KRAFTON’s broader vision for Made in India gaming IPs?
Anuj Sahani: Real Cricket represents how deeply Indian-created IPs can resonate with players. This partnership aligns closely with our vision for building strong Made in India gaming IPs, and cricket is a natural strategic focus. Its longstanding legacy and community insight make it an ideal example of the kind of homegrown franchise we believe can scale even further with the right publishing support.
Through initiatives like the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator and sustained investment in Indian studios, our goal is to help India become a creator-led gaming market. Real Cricket is a flagship example of that mission, showing how culturally rooted Indian IP can grow meaningfully when paired with global publishing capabilities.
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How has the game been rebuilt and improved for its relaunch?
A core focus of bringing Real Cricket under KRAFTON’s publishing arm has been to strengthen the backend systems that improve stability, matchmaking, server performance and data analytics, creating a smoother and more reliable experience. We have also introduced the RC Pass and Real Rewards T20 Series, adding structured progression and tangible rewards that deepen long-term engagement.
The update also brings enhanced visuals, refined animations and new Hindi commentary voices that elevate the broadcast feel of matches. Official IPL team licences for Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings further strengthen authenticity and connect the game more closely to real-world cricket.
On features and competitive future of Real Cricket
What are future plans for Real Cricket about features and competitive potential?
We see Real Cricket evolving into a more connected, competitive and community-driven ecosystem. Future updates will focus on stronger live operations, deeper seasonal content, enhanced challenges and features that support long-term retention. Cricket is naturally suited for competitive formats, and Real Cricket already has a strong player community. Our efforts will include more community events, collaborations during major cricket seasons and future competitive features that allow players to test their skills in meaningful ways.
Anuj Mankar on Nautilus Games’ evolution with KRAFTON India
With KRAFTON’s publishing support, how has Nautilus evolved technically and creatively in rebuilding Real Cricket?
Anuj Mankar: KRAFTON’s publishing support has strengthened us technically and creatively. Their technology frameworks and production systems allow us to improve backend infrastructure, stability and scalability while refining gameplay depth and visual quality with far greater speed. Creatively, the partnership gives us the resources and guidance to pursue ideas that were previously out of reach.
With access to KRAFTON’s tech stack, expertise and problem-solving support, we can push immersion, realism and presentation closer to the broadcast-style cricket experience we have always envisioned, and bring more expressive animations and richer match atmosphere to the game.
New gameplay and visual upgrades are coming in Real Cricket
What new gameplay or visual features can players expect in the relaunched version?
Anuj Mankar: Players will notice a combination of new features and significant improvements that elevate the overall experience. On the improvement side, the game includes enhanced animations, upgraded lighting and a sharper overall presentation that together create a more premium cricket atmosphere. These refinements strengthen the sense of realism and make every match feel more polished. New Hindi commentary voices further improve match ambience by adding more personality and authenticity to in- game action.
On the new-features side, players will experience two major additions: the RC Pass, which introduces a structured progression system with seasonal rewards, and the Real Rewards T20 Series, which links in- game performance to tangible real-world incentives.
What does this new phase mean for Nautilus as a studio in terms of growth, technology and creative ambitions?
Anuj Mankar: This phase represents a major growth opportunity for Nautilus. With KRAFTON’s support, we have access to stronger technological infrastructure and development guidance that enables us to build at a global standard. It expands our creative potential and gives us the confidence to pursue deeper levels of simulation and immersion. It reinforces our belief that Indian studios can create world-class experiences that resonate with players both within and beyond India.
What is your long-term aspiration for Real Cricket as a product and as a cultural brand?
Anuj Mankar: Our long-term aspiration is to make Real Cricket the most complete and immersive mobile cricket experience for fans. For more than a decade, the franchise has been rooted in realism, depth and the emotional connection players have with the sport. That will continue as we strengthen visuals, deepen gameplay systems and expand community-driven features.
As a cultural brand, Real Cricket reflects the passion India has for cricket. We want it to remain the definitive cricket gaming experience for Indian players while expanding its presence internationally. With KRAFTON’s marketing capabilities, creator ecosystem and global publishing network, we can introduce the game to wider audiences, build localised campaigns in cricket-playing markets and drive organic visibility through creators and community initiatives. This gives Real Cricket a strong foundation to grow beyond India while staying true to its identity as a proudly Indian-made franchise.
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