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Krafton
Krafton (크래프톤) is the South Korean video game holding company that turned a single battle royale title into a multi-billion-dollar entertainment empire. Founded in 2007 as Bluehole by Chang Byung-gyu, the company restructured as Krafton in 2018 and went public on the Korea Exchange in August 2021 in one of the country's largest IPOs, raising 4.31 trillion won ($3.7 billion).
The flagship franchise, PUBG: Battlegrounds, has sold over 75 million copies on PC and console and generated billions more through its mobile version (operated by Tencent as PUBG Mobile). The game pioneered the battle royale genre and remains one of the most-played titles globally. Krafton's studio portfolio extends well beyond PUBG, encompassing Bluehole Studio, PUBG Studios, Striking Distance Studios (The Callisto Protocol), Unknown Worlds (Subnautica), and the newly acquired Tango Gameworks.
Beyond gaming, Krafton has made significant bets on entertainment content. The company invested $86 million in Vigloo (SpoonLabs), positioning itself as a major financial force behind Korea's short-form vertical drama boom. The investment reflects Krafton's broader thesis that gaming IP, entertainment content, and interactive technology are converging into a single ecosystem.
Krafton also launched inZOI, an AI-powered life simulation game that drew immediate comparisons to The Sims, and has invested in deep learning and AI research through its Krafton AI Center. The company's market capitalization regularly exceeds 20 trillion won ($15 billion), making it one of the most valuable tech companies in Korea.
Headquartered in Seoul's Gangnam district, Krafton operates studios across Korea, the US, Canada, Japan, and India, employing over 3,000 people worldwide.
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Fans Also Ask
What games does Krafton publish?
Krafton’s flagship title is PUBG: Battlegrounds, the battle royale game that redefined the genre globally. The company also publishes Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), The Callisto Protocol, and PUBG Mobile, and has expanded into adjacent entertainment including AI technology and music industry investments.
What K-pop collaborations has Krafton done?
Krafton has partnered with multiple K-pop acts. BLACKPINK headlined the first in-game concert in PUBG Mobile in 2022. Aespa appeared in a cinematic PUBG trailer in 2025. In 2026, Krafton announced a 100 billion won investment in The Black Label, the agency behind artists like Taeyang and Rosé.
When did Krafton go public?
Krafton went public on the Korea Exchange (KRX) in August 2021 in one of the largest IPOs in Korean history at the time, raising approximately 4.3 trillion won. The listing reflected investor confidence in the global commercial reach of PUBG: Battlegrounds.
Who founded Krafton?
Krafton was founded as Bluehole in 2007 by Chang Byung-gyu in South Korea. The company rebranded as Krafton in 2018 to reflect its expanded portfolio beyond PUBG. Chang Byung-gyu served as the founding visionary behind the company’s transition from a studio to a holding company.
What were Krafton’s revenues in 2025?
Krafton posted record-breaking revenues of KRW 870.6 billion in 2025, driven primarily by PUBG: Battlegrounds and its mobile variants. The company has used this financial strength to invest in adjacent sectors including K-pop through The Black Label and AI gaming technology developed with NVIDIA.
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