Gaming
KRAFTON signs MoU with Gujarat government to boost esports and gaming ecosystem
Mumbai: In a significant development for the Indian gaming industry, KRAFTON Inc, the leading South Korean video game developer, has announced a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Gujarat and TransStadia Technologies Pvt Ltd. This collaboration is set to stimulate the technology, gaming, and esports ecosystem in Gujarat, furthering KRAFTON’s dedicated efforts to cultivate India’s overall gaming and technology environment.
The vibrant state of Gujarat, known for its rapid economic growth and burgeoning status as a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI), is now poised to become a pivotal center for the esports and gaming industry. The state’s commitment to technological innovation and digital infrastructure makes it an ideal partner for KRAFTON, aiming to propel the local and national gaming scenes to new heights.
“We are immensely proud to announce our partnership with the Government of Gujarat, a collaboration representing a significant stride forward for game development and esports in India. By combining Gujarat’s vibrant growth environment and our expertise in game development and esports, we are set to create unparalleled opportunities for talent development, infrastructure enhancement, and community engagement. We firmly believe that this collaboration will have a profound and positive impact, fostering innovation, and inspiring a new generation of gamers and developers.” said KRAFTON India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn.
The government of Gujarat expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasising its alignment with the state’s vision for digital and economic growth. government of Gujarat minister for home, sports, youth and cultural activities Harsh Sanghavi remarked, “Government of Gujarat will benefit from this collaboration with KRAFTON as it will undoubtedly catalyze our efforts to transform Gujarat into an indigenous and interactive hub for e-sports. We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on our youth and the broader esports gaming community.”
KRAFTON has already invested $160 million in Indian startups since 2021 and plans to invest an additional $150 million over the next two to three years. In line with this commitment, KRAFTON recently launched the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator program, an initiative designed to nurture game development talent in India by providing funding, mentorship, and essential resources to promising developers.
More recently, KRAFTON India also hosted BMPS 2023 (Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series) in Ahmedabad, a collaborative effort by KRAFTON and the city of Ahmedabad to foster the growing gaming ecosystem. With the signing of this MoU, the future of gaming and esports in Gujarat and India at large is brighter than ever. This collaboration is expected to create new opportunities, nurture talent, and establish Gujarat as a landmark destination for the global gaming community.
Gaming
Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons launch India’s first official F1 sim racing championship
Nationwide competition creates pathway from virtual racing to pro motorsport
MUMBAI: Formula 1 has teamed up with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited to launch India’s first officially sanctioned F1 sim racing competition, marking a new step in the country’s growing motorsport ecosystem.
The championship, titled F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, will offer a structured national platform for sim racers, with participants competing on the official F1 25 across multiple stages. The competition will begin with online qualifiers, followed by city-based simulator rounds, before culminating in a national final in Mumbai this November.
Open to players across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox, registrations for the event will begin on 30 April via the Mumbai Falcons app. The format mirrors real-world racing, featuring official circuits, team liveries and competitive structures aligned with the global series.
Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan said the initiative arrives at a time when interest in the sport is surging in India, adding that a structured sim racing platform could help identify and nurture the next generation of talent.
Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited managing director Ameet Gadhoke noted that the championship aligns with the team’s long-term goal of building a strong motorsport pipeline in the country and placing Indian talent on the global stage.
The launch also reflects broader momentum in esports, especially after its recognition under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. By bridging gaming and real-world racing, the initiative aims to offer aspiring drivers a credible entry point into professional motorsport.
With interest in Formula 1 steadily rising and conversations around its return to India gaining pace, the new championship could become a proving ground for future racing stars.
