BGMI is an Indian mobile battle royale game. Since its release in 2021, the game has won the love of millions of people in India and has become one of the best esports titles in India. A lot of gamers do not understand who owns BGMI. They think that it is owned by Tencent because PUBG Mobile, which belonged to the Chinese firm, was banned in India. But there is another thing with the ownership of BGMI.
In reality, BGMI belongs to KRAFTON Inc., a South Korean video game developer. KRAFTON has developed BGMI for Indians only when PUBG Mobile was banned in the country. Today, the firm develops, publishes, maintains, and runs all esports events for the game. In this article we will also talk about the real BGMI owner, KRAFTON Inc., its founder, CEO, country, PUBG connection, and complete ownership details.
BGMI Owner: Quick Information
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Game Name | Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) |
| Official Owner | KRAFTON Inc. |
| Developer | KRAFTON Inc. |
| Publisher | KRAFTON Inc. |
| Headquarters | Seoul, South Korea |
| Release Date | 2 July 2021 |
| Platforms | Android & iOS |
| Genre | Battle Royale |
| Availability | India |
Who is the Owner of BGMI?
The official owner of BGMI is KRAFTON Inc., a South Korean gaming company. It is the developer, publisher, and rights holder of BGMI in India. KRAFTON Inc. launched BGMI after the ban of PUBG Mobile in India in 2020. The game includes specific features for Indians and fits the regulations of India.
At the moment, KRAFTON Inc. runs all aspects of the game from updates to security and esports events.
What Is KRAFTON?
KRAFTON, Inc., is an international video game developer and publisher. The company is famous for developing the popular PUBG series and other video games and serving millions of gamers around the world.
In 2018, KRAFTON was founded by the restructuring of Bluehole Studio. Since then, the company has grown its gaming portfolio significantly and invested a lot in innovative technologies and the growth of esporting and interactive entertainment. Besides BGMI, the company has been working on different games and growing stronger in India through gaming events and investment in the market.
KRAFTON Company Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | KRAFTON Inc. |
| Former Name | Bluehole Inc. |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Seoul, South Korea |
| Industry | Video Games |
| Flagship Franchise | PUBG |
| Global Presence | Worldwide |
Who Founded KRAFTON?
KRAFTON was founded by Chang Byung-gyu, a South Korean businessman and entrepreneur who played a big part in the development of the gaming and technology industries. His vision led to the creation of the PUBG series of battle royale games which became incredibly popular all over the world.
CEO of KRAFTON
The current CEO of KRAFTON is Kim Chang-han. He manages all operations of the company including the development and the growth of the gaming industry around the world. He is responsible for the continuous improvement of BGMI through frequent updates, investing and the organization of esports tournaments.
Which Country BGMI Owner?
BGMI game is owned by the South Korean company known as KRAFTON Inc. Thus, BGMI is officially recognized as a South Korean game and does not have any connection with India other than being available on the Indian market exclusively. Many people often mix BGMI with PUBG Mobile thinking that BGMI is owned by a Chinese company. This misunderstanding occurs due to the fact that Tencent used to publish the game in different global markets including India.
Still, BGMI is separately managed by KRAFTON. Moreover, the company makes some modifications related to India like localizing content and making the game compliant with the requirements of the Indian government.
BGMI Country Details
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Owning Country | South Korea |
| Company | KRAFTON Inc. |
| Headquarters | Seoul |
| Indian Version | Yes |
| Chinese Company | No |
| Available In | India |
Is BGMI Owned by Tencent?
The first misconception that appears regarding BGMI is that the game is owned by Tencent. This misunderstanding happens due to the fact that Tencent Games used to publish PUBG Mobile worldwide according to the license agreement signed with the creator of the game.
However, BGMI is not owned by Tencent. BGMI is officially owned, developed and published by the South Korean company KRAFTON Inc. and the game is separately managed by KRAFTON as well.
BGMI vs PUBG Mobile Ownership
| Feature | BGMI | PUBG Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | KRAFTON Inc. | KRAFTON Inc. (PUBG IP) |
| Publisher | KRAFTON Inc. | Tencent Games (Global Version)* |
| Availability | India Only | Global Markets |
| Country-Specific Version | Yes | No |
| Esports Management | KRAFTON India | Regional Publishers |
Why Was BGMI Created?
BGMI was released following the ban of PUBG Mobile imposed by the Indian government in September 2020 due to concerns about the security of the personal information of the users. This move left numerous players in India with no access to one of the most popular games in the country.
In order to get back on track, KRAFTON made a new version of PUBG for India called Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). Various changes were made by the developers: localized content, changed gameplay, parental control options, as well as other changes. This game officially came out in July 2021 and managed to restore its popularity among mobile gamers and esport fans very quickly.
BGMI Launch Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| PUBG Mobile Banned in India | September 2020 |
| BGMI Official Announcement | May 2021 |
| Early Access Release | June 2021 |
| Official Android Launch | 2 July 2021 |
| iOS Launch | August 2021 |
| Temporary Suspension | July 2022 |
| Official Return | May 2023 |
BGMI Development History
The history of development of BGMI is tightly connected with the history of development of PUBG Mobile in India. Right after PUBG Mobile was removed from the app stores, KRAFTON started working on developing a version of this game exclusive for India.
Since then, BGMI has been updated, gained new maps, new season-specific content, improved gameplay, anti-cheat measures, as well as collaborated with various brands. Such updates have enabled this game to keep the large community of players loyal. Currently, BGMI is one of the most successful esports games in India which organizes professional tournaments watched by millions of people.
Major Milestones
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Exclusive Indian Version | Yes |
| Regular Seasonal Updates | Available |
| Official Esports Support | Yes |
| Cross-Platform Availability | Android & iOS |
| Active Community | Millions of Players |
Who Develops BGMI?
While most gamers refer to the developers of a particular game as its owners or publishers and vice versa, there are certain distinctions among the roles in the gaming world. In relation to BGMI, KRAFTON acts as both the game developer, updater and IP owner for its India version. Such a unified ownership model gives the company the full power over BGMI’s content, security system, esports and future development.
Owner, Developer & Publisher
| Role | Company |
| Owner | KRAFTON Inc. |
| Developer | KRAFTON Inc. |
| Publisher | KRAFTON Inc. |
| Indian Operations | KRAFTON India |
BGMI Ownership Structure
BGMI belongs to the global portfolio of gaming IPs owned by KRAFTON. The company runs several studios of game development and operates numerous gaming franchises in PC, console and mobile platforms.
PUBG IP is managed by KRAFTON via its internal studios whereas BGMI is just an adaptation of the PUBG experience for India. Thus, KRAFTON has complete control over the game development and distribution on India’s market.
It is commonly thought that BGMI is owned by Tencent because of its previous connection to the PUBG Mobile. However, Tencent has nothing to do with the ownership of BGMI.
Parent Company Details for BGMI
KRAFTON Inc. is a publicly traded South Korean video game company with a portfolio of highly successful gaming products. In addition to BGMI, it has developed other studios making games for PCs, consoles, and mobile devices.
In recent years, KRAFTON has ventured outside game development into areas like artificial intelligence, gaming technology, publishing, and game startups. One of its major international markets is India because of the success of BGMI and mobile esports.
Esports of BGMI under KRAFTON
BGMI has been among India’s biggest mobile esports games. Officially organized gaming events held by KRAFTON provide professional gamers and aspiring gaming teams an opportunity to take part in national competitions.
This has helped to develop the country’s esports industry while creating jobs for gamers, coaches, and gaming creators. Year after year, numerous gaming teams participate in officially sanctioned BGMI gaming events.
Major BGMI Esports Tournaments
| Tournament | Description |
|---|---|
| BGIS | India’s largest official BGMI championship |
| BMPS | Professional league featuring top BGMI teams |
| Community Events | Official tournaments for all players |
| Invitational Events | Competitions with invited professional teams |
Popular Games Developed by KRAFTON
KRAFTON develops several highly successful games for different platforms including PC, consoles, and mobile devices. The company’s most successful product line is PUBG but the range of gaming genres continues to expand.
The games produced by KRAFTON are enjoyed by millions of players worldwide who are provided with continuous updates and new content.
Popular KRAFTON Games
| Game | Genre |
|---|---|
| PUBG: Battlegrounds | Battle Royale |
| Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) | Battle Royale |
| PUBG: New State | Battle Royale |
| inZOI | Life Simulation |
| TERA | MMORPG |
| Thunder Tier One | Tactical Shooter |
| The Callisto Protocol* | Survival Horror |
Key Features of BGMI
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Battle Royale Gameplay | Up to 100 Players |
| Maps | Erangel, Miramar, Livik, Sanhok & More |
| Game Modes | Solo, Duo & Squad |
| Ranked Matches | Available |
| Voice Chat | Supported |
| Regular Updates | Yes |
| Official Esports | Yes |
| Anti-Cheat System | Enabled |
BGMI Milestones
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Launch | July 2021 |
| India-Exclusive Version | Yes |
| Millions of Downloads | Achieved |
| National Esports Events | Successfully Organized |
| Active Player Community | One of India’s Largest |
Interesting Facts About BGMI Owner
- KRAFTON is based in Seoul, South Korea.
- BGMI was made only for Indians.
- It owns the PUBG IP.
- The company constantly invests in the Indian gaming industry.
- BGMI abides by India’s regulations.
- The company makes games for PC, consoles, and mobile phones.
BGMI Latest News
Updates, improvements in gameplay, and better anti-cheating system development are among features of BGMI provided by KRAFTON regularly. New events, collaborations, and updates are launched all-year round. Esports of BGMI are developing as well due to official tournaments and the support of the Indian gaming community. These factors have made BGMI become one of the most popular multiplayer mobile games in India.
Conclusion
BGMI is an officially developed product by the South Korean gaming company called KRAFTON Inc., which holds the intellectual property of PUBG. Following the banning of PUBG Mobile in India, KRAFTON launched BGMI as a separate version of the game for Indians and adhering to the regulations. Now, the company actively supports the game with updates, esport tournaments, and other projects making BGMI one of the best mobile battle royale games of India.
FAQs
Who is the owner of BGMI?
BGMI is officially owned, developed, and published by KRAFTON Inc., a company based in South Korea.
Is BGMI owned by Tencent?
Nope, BGMI is owned and operated entirely solely by KRAFTON Inc. — not Tencent
Which country owns BGMI?
While the BGMI game belongs to KRAFTON Inc., a South Korean game developer.
Who founded KRAFTON?
KRAFTON, its founder — Chang Byung-gyu har 2020c South Korea.
Who is the CEO of KRAFTON?
KRAFTON current CEOKim Chang-han has led KRAFTONs global business.
Why was BGMI created?
BGMI was rolled out after the ban on PUBG Mobile in India to offer Indian players a version tailored for them.
Does BGMI differ from PUBG Mobile?
Yes, BGMI is a country specific version and has specific features and compliance policies built around it.
Is BGMI an Indian game?
No, BGMI is a South Korean game made only for the Indian market.
Who develops and publishes BGMI?
BGMI is published and operated by KRAFTON Inc. in India.
Does KRAFTON host BGMI esports tournaments?
Yes, KRAFTON provides official tournaments for BGMI players like BGIS and BMPS.
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