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Krafton's Ambitious Quest for the Next Global Gaming Franchise
Technology

Krafton's Ambitious Quest for the Next Global Gaming Franchise

The Verge1h ago
3 min read
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Key Facts

  • ✓ Krafton, the developer behind the global battle royale hit PUBG, has confirmed it has 26 games currently in development.
  • ✓ The company recently held a town hall meeting where it detailed a new strategic plan focused on building long-term franchise intellectual properties.
  • ✓ Krafton has spent the past year strengthening its creative leadership and upgrading its game development and publishing frameworks to prepare for this expansion.
  • ✓ In 2026, the studio plans to significantly increase development speed for new titles that show potential to become major franchises.
  • ✓ Alongside the creation of new intellectual properties, Krafton is committed to accelerating the growth and expansion of the existing PUBG franchise.
  • ✓ This disciplined approach marks a major strategic shift for the company as it seeks to diversify its portfolio beyond its flagship title.

In This Article

  1. Quick Summary
  2. A Strategic Pivot
  3. Building the Future
  4. The 2026 Roadmap
  5. Industry Implications
  6. Looking Ahead

Quick Summary#

The gaming giant behind the global phenomenon PUBG is embarking on a massive new expansion. Krafton has revealed it is actively developing a staggering 26 new titles, signaling a significant shift in its long-term strategy.

In a recent internal town hall meeting, the company detailed its disciplined approach to cultivating the next generation of blockbuster gaming franchises. This ambitious roadmap is designed to diversify its portfolio while simultaneously strengthening its most valuable existing asset.

A Strategic Pivot#

Krafton is moving beyond its identity as a single-franchise studio. The company has formally outlined a plan to focus on its core gaming business while establishing a structured methodology for building enduring intellectual properties.

This strategic shift is not merely about quantity; it is about quality and longevity. Krafton is positioning itself to become a powerhouse of franchise development, a move that requires significant investment in talent and infrastructure.

The core elements of this new direction include:

  • Strengthening creative leadership across all projects
  • Upgrading overall game development frameworks
  • Enhancing publishing capabilities for global scale
  • Implementing a disciplined approach to IP creation

"During the past year, KRAFTON has prepared for Franchise IP development by strengthening its creative leadership, as well as upgrading its overall game development and publishing frameworks."

— Krafton Company Statement

Building the Future#

The past year has served as a crucial preparation period for this new era. Krafton has been actively fortifying its internal structure to support the ambitious pipeline of 26 projects.

According to the company, this groundwork involved two key pillars: strengthening its creative leadership to guide new ideas and upgrading its development and publishing frameworks to handle a larger volume of high-quality releases.

During the past year, KRAFTON has prepared for Franchise IP development by strengthening its creative leadership, as well as upgrading its overall game development and publishing frameworks.

This internal overhaul is the foundation upon which the company's future success will be built, ensuring that new titles receive the support needed to compete on a global stage.

The 2026 Roadmap#

The year 2026 marks the official acceleration of Krafton's new strategy. The company plans to ramp up development on titles that show clear potential to grow into major franchise IPs.

This dual-track approach means Krafton will not be abandoning its crown jewel. Alongside the creation of new worlds, the company is committed to accelerating the growth of the PUBG IP franchise, ensuring it remains a central pillar of the business.

The strategy can be visualized as a balanced portfolio approach:

  • Exploration: 26 projects in various stages of development
  • Incubation: Identifying titles with franchise potential
  • Expansion: Growing the established PUBG universe

Industry Implications#

Krafton's announcement is a significant indicator of the competitive landscape in the gaming industry. A portfolio of 26 active projects represents a massive operational undertaking, requiring careful resource allocation and management.

The company's emphasis on a disciplined approach suggests a move away from speculative development toward a more calculated, data-informed strategy for IP creation. This could set a new benchmark for how major studios manage their creative pipelines.

For the broader market, this expansion means more diverse gaming experiences from a studio known for high-production-value titles. It also increases competition for player attention in an already crowded entertainment space.

Looking Ahead#

Krafton is clearly playing the long game. By investing in a diverse array of new projects while nurturing its flagship title, the company is building a resilient and multifaceted entertainment ecosystem.

The success of this strategy will depend on its ability to identify and cultivate the next breakout hit—a successor to the cultural impact of PUBG. All eyes will be on the company's output in the coming years as these 26 projects begin to materialize.

The gaming world waits to see which of these titles will rise to become the next household name.

"In 2026, the company will ramp up development of new titles with potential to grow into Franchise IPs, while at the same time accelerating the growth of the PUBG IP Franchise."

— Krafton Company Statement

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