Krafton Plans 26 New Games, Seeks Next Big Franchise
▼ Summary
– Krafton has 26 games in development, with 12 set to launch within two years including Subnautica 2, Palworld Mobile, and No Law.
– The company defines its goal of a “big franchise IP” as an experience that expands across genres and formats for long-term growth.
– Its development process uses early validation and targets markets with identifiable fan bases to assess long-term potential.
– Krafton plans to expand the PUBG franchise through cultural collaborations, service improvements, and UGC content.
– The company is pursuing an “AI first” strategy, applying AI in game development and exploring uses in physical AI and robotics.
The Korean video game developer Krafton has outlined an ambitious strategy to build its next major intellectual property franchise, with a substantial pipeline of twenty-six new games currently in development. This plan is central to the company’s long-term growth, aiming to create properties that extend far beyond a single release. According to a recent corporate blog post, twelve of these projects are scheduled for launch within the next two years, including high-profile titles like Subnautica 2, Palworld Mobile, and a new project called No Law.
For Krafton, a “big franchise IP” represents more than just a successful game. The company defines it as an intellectual property capable of expanding across different genres, various content types, and multiple service formats. This approach is designed to foster sustainable and repeatable growth over many years. To manage this extensive slate, Krafton emphasizes a development process built on early validation and clear decision gates. This methodology is intended to rigorously assess each project’s viability before committing significant resources.
Furthermore, the studio bases its new projects on markets with a clearly identifiable core fan base. This strategic focus allows the team to leverage data analytics to gauge a project’s long-term potential from the outset. Alongside cultivating new franchises, Krafton remains committed to expanding its existing flagship property. The company plans to grow the PUBG franchise through cultural collaborations and ongoing service improvements, including the development of new user-generated content tools. The PUBG universe has already seen expansion through titles like Black Budget and Blindspot.
Krafton’s CEO, CH Kim, reinforced this dual-focused strategy. He stated the company will remain dedicated to its core gaming business as it enters a phase of executing these new titles. While continuing to develop the PUBG IP as a comprehensive content platform, Krafton will simultaneously work to create new franchise IPs through its creative leadership and extensive development pipeline.
The company also reaffirmed its commitment to becoming an “AI first” organization, a initiative first announced in late 2025. Currently, this involves integrating artificial intelligence into various aspects of game development. Looking ahead, Krafton is exploring ways to adapt its game technology for applications in physical AI and robotics. This technological pivot was a key topic in discussions with the directors of PUBG: Battlegrounds and Inzoi last year.
This expansive vision for growth unfolds against a backdrop of internal challenges. Krafton is currently involved in a complex legal dispute with the lead developers of the upcoming Subnautica 2, who were removed from the project by the company last year.
(Source: Games Industry)
