Krafton (259960) will release a lightweight version of *Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI)*, called *BGMI Light*, in India within the year. This move aims to broaden the service's reach to users with low-spec smartphones and strengthen its strategy for the 1.5 billion-population Indian market by linking with mobile advertising initiatives.
Krafton announced on the 18th (local time) that *BGMI Light* will be launched in the Indian market by the end of 2026.
The game will start with a lightweight installation size of approximately 1GB (based on Android) and will be optimized to run smoothly even on low-RAM budget smartphones.
*BGMI* is the mobile version of *Battlegrounds* tailored for the Indian market, and *BGMI Light* is a further optimized, lighter version. Previously, Tencent operated *PUBG Mobile Lite*, the Indian version of *Battlegrounds*, in 2019, but it was discontinued in 2020 when the Indian government, amid border disputes with China, blocked the service.
Unlike Tencent's *PUBG Mobile Lite*, *BGMI Light* is a lightweight version directly launched under the *BGMI* brand by Krafton, targeting the Indian market. It incorporates Krafton's optimization and user management technologies.
Krafton expects *BGMI Light* to be a powerful tool for expanding its user base in emerging markets with low premium smartphone penetration. According to Krafton, as of the first quarter of this year, the cumulative downloads of the existing *BGMI Mobile* have surpassed 260 million, and paying users increased by 17% compared to the same period last year. The lightweight version is anticipated to be a significant turning point in user growth.
Krafton India will soon finalize the official release date and disclose additional details, including whether existing *BGMI* accounts and data will be linked, gameplay features, and specific supported device specifications.
Alongside expanding the *BGMI* user base, Krafton is diversifying local revenue models. Its subsidiary Neptune's Indian subsidiary, *Krafton Ad Platform India (KADP India)*, has formed an advertising partnership with Krafton's headquarters to operate *BGMI* ads. KADP India will handle everything from planning, designing, and delivering ad placements to optimizing them, converting massive game traffic into advertising revenue. According to Sensor Tower, India's digital advertising market exceeded $4.2 billion last year and is expected to grow to $5 billion (approximately KRW6.7 trillion) this year. This marks Krafton's full-scale expansion into mobile advertising in India through *Battlegrounds*.
Krafton stated, “*BGMI Light* continues our commitment to broadening accessibility to one of India's most beloved gaming experiences. It opens the door to a new generation of users and marks the next milestone in the evolution of the *BGMI* ecosystem.”
