Source: Krafton

Krafton (CEO Kim Chang-han) announced its preliminary financial results for the first quarter of 2026 on the 30th.

Based on consolidated financial statements under the K-IFRS, Krafton recorded its highest-ever quarterly performance in Q1 2026, with ▲revenue of ₩1.3714 trillion and ▲operating profit of ₩561.6 billion. Compared to the same period last year, revenue increased by 56.9% and operating profit by 22.8%. The Q1 operating profit alone accounts for 53% of the total operating profit recorded for the full year of 2025.

▶ Q1 2026 Key Achievements and Business Direction for the PUBG IP Franchise

Revenue by business segment was ▲PC ₩363.9 billion, ▲mobile ₩702.7 billion, ▲console ₩13.8 billion, and ▲other ₩291 billion. Revenue from the PUBG IP franchise grew 24% year-on-year, surpassing ₩1 trillion in quarterly revenue and driving the company's record-breaking Q1 performance. On the PC platform, content diversification and robust live service operations for PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS (hereinafter BATTLEGROUNDS) fueled revenue growth. Notably, the BATTLEGROUNDS 9th Anniversary Aston Martin collaboration marked the first vehicle resale event on PC. The collaboration saw a significant increase in revenue compared to its initial launch in 2023, demonstrating that popular collaboration models can become long-term assets that generate new demand over time​(Continued from above).

The mobile segment also contributed to record-breaking revenue through premium content and IP collaborations. A collaboration with the German hypercar brand Apollo Automobil drove demand among high-spending users, boosting performance. BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI) expanded user accessibility through server infrastructure investment and provided diverse content, resulting in a 17% year-on-year increase in paying users. The BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES (BGIS) 2026, the official BGMI league, recorded its highest-ever viewership, reaffirming its status as India's national game. Other revenue increased by ₩285.9 billion year-on-year, reflecting the performance of the ADK Group.

Leveraging a strong fandom and competitive service, the PUBG IP is evolving into a content platform where diverse content and play experiences accumulate. In April, the launch of the 'Xeno Point' mode provided new experiences beyond battle royale, contributing to increased user traffic. In May, the company introduced a mode based on the PAYDAY IP and plans to continuously expand with additional modes and user-generated content (UGC). Furthermore, Krafton plans to accelerate the growth of the PUBG IP franchise by strengthening global fandom marketing and increasing its presence in emerging markets.

▶ inZOI Scale-up, Subnautica 2 Early Access Launch, and 'AI for Game' Strategy

inZOI, which launched in early access last year, is focusing on scaling up to become an IP with a long Product Life Cycle (PLC). The company is working to enhance content to deepen the life simulation experience and expand user accessibility through console porting. Additionally, it is creating an environment where anyone can easily create content by providing an AI script modding tool. Krafton plans to cultivate inZOI into a platform-type IP where users can share their own content and play together through the introduction of multiplayer features.

The open-world survival crafting game Subnautica 2 is preparing for its early access launch. Subnautica 2 plans to offer new experiences to both existing fans and new users by adding new content, including a co-op mode.

Krafton continues to pursue its 'AI for Game' strategy to provide differentiated gameplay experiences. First, the company plans to apply four 'Raon' multimodal AI models, unveiled in April, to its games. These models will be fine-tuned to the characteristics of each game to implement new play experiences. Furthermore, Krafton will introduce 'PUBG Ally,' which utilizes Co-Playable Character (CPC) technology, as a beta service in the BATTLEGROUNDS Arcade in 2026. PUBG Ally is expected to provide users with a differentiated, AI-driven immersive experience.

Meanwhile, in accordance with the shareholder return policy announced in February, Krafton completed the acquisition of ₩200 billion in treasury shares and issued ₩99.6 billion in dividends during the first quarter. Additionally, the company completed the cancellation of ₩336.2 billion in treasury shares, combining newly acquired and previously held shares. In the second quarter, Krafton plans to acquire an additional ₩100 billion in treasury shares and cancel them in their entirety. As of the first half of 2026, the scale of shareholder returns has increased by 23% and the scale of treasury share cancellations by 115% compared to the full year of 2025. Moving forward, the company plans to faithfully implement its shareholder return policy, backed by a strong commitment to enhancing shareholder value.