KRAFTON India’s Gaming Incubator Cohort 3: Anuj Sahani On Supporting The Next Wave Of Game Developers

KRAFTON India kicked off the third cohort of its Gaming Incubator on September 20, continuing its mission to empower Indian game developers with funding, mentorship, and access to global partners. Since its launch in 2023, the program has already supported over 10 studios across the country, helping them shape their ideas into market-ready titles. With Cohort 3 now live, the focus is on providing even deeper technical guidance and industry insights.

In an interaction with Techlusive, Anuj Sahani, Head of KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI), shared insights on the program’s evolution, challenges faced by developers, and what excites him about the future of Indian gaming.

Q: What are your expectations from Cohort 3, and how will it differ from the first two cohorts?

Anuj Sahani: For Cohort 3, we are looking at games across India from all platforms, which includes mobile, PC, and console. Our program is open for all the developers. We have realised that developers here need more support on the tech front, in terms of understanding competition, market landscape, and user acquisition. So, this time our focus will also be on providing stronger technical support and guidance in these areas.

Q: What do you look for when selecting a studio or developer?

Anuj Sahani: The first thing we look at is the game concept – how engaging it is and what the developers see it becoming in one or two years. Then we look at the team, their experience, and long-term vision. Finally, we assess whether the game has market demand and potential to scale with our support.

Q: Can you share examples of successful projects from earlier cohorts?

Anuj Sahani: So, there is a recent launch – Gangster Carnival by Arjuna Studios, which is in a soft launch phase and available on Google Play Store. Then, Sojourn Past by ReDimension Games, a PC title from Nagaland, has a demo on Steam and is doing really well. Tale of Honor by Dunali Games is another standout, currently in soft launch on Google Play. These projects show the potential of Indian studios.

Q: How do global partners like Google Cloud, AWS, and GameRefinery help Indian developers?

Anuj Sahani: Google and AWS provide cloud credits, while GameRefinery and AppMagic offer powerful tools for competitor analysis and benchmarking. Developers can access data on features, downloads, revenues, and engagement to refine their games.

Q: What are the biggest challenges Indian developers face today?

Anuj Sahani: Many teams are first-time startups, so they lack experienced members and clear direction. Our mentors – veteran developers – work closely with them on design, tech, marketing, and product strategy. Financial support also helps them hire resources and speed up development.

Q: Any message for developers applying to Cohort 3?

Anuj Sahani: Be courageous. Don’t worry about whether the game will succeed. If you have a creative idea and passion, apply – we’ll love to incubate your game and help you achieve your goals.