KRAFTON India Partners with IIT Madras to Launch KIGI Academy for Game Development

KRAFTON India has established KIGI Academy in collaboration with IIT Madras to help India’s next generation of game developers. The academy involves not just theoretical learning but industry-related experience in fields such as coding, game design, user interface/user experience (UI/UX), artistry, and product development. This will enable KRAFTON India to help students acquire relevant skills and contribute to the development of India’s gaming ecosystem.

KIGI Academy Programme Details

The KIGI Academy is a six-month, fully sponsored program available to students at IIT Madras. The first batch of KIGI Academy will comprise 30 students and will provide them with practical training on game development. The program will run in two stages. During the first 16 weeks, students will train at the IIT Madras campus using the Unity engine. They will focus on developing skills for mobile game development. After this, 10 selected students will complete an eight-week residency at KRAFTON India’s Bengaluru headquarters.

Applications can be submitted via the IIT Madras placement website. Selection criteria include evaluation of the application form and personal interviews. Applications are eligible for third-year and fourth-year Bachelor’s and Dual Degree students of all years, and postgraduate/Master’s engineering students, irrespective of their engineering discipline. There are no prerequisites for game development.

Hands-On Training and KRAFTON’s Game Development Approach

Selected candidates will gain firsthand experience of real-world game production during the Bengaluru residency. Participants will also develop and showcase the final vertical slice of their game during the program. Industry experts will mentor the candidates and familiarise them with KRAFTON’s global development standards. Top-performing participants may also get an opportunity to join KRAFTON India.

KIGI Academy builds on KRAFTON Jungle, the company’s game development training program in Korea. KRAFTON’s Jungle was introduced in October 2022 as a project-based residency training system rather than classroom training. This training program equips developers throughout the game development process, from prototypes to public release. KRAFTON intends to expand the Jungle program to train 1,000 developers in Korea each year. Jungle program operators will also mentor KIGI participants.

KIGI Academy brings this hands-on approach to India’s mobile-first and fast-growing gaming market. IIT Madras became the founding partner because of its academic standing and long-standing relationship with KRAFTON India. IIT Madras has ranked as India’s No. 1 engineering institution for 10 consecutive years in the NIRF rankings. KRAFTON has also worked with the institute through Rendezvous, technical festivals, and game jams. These engagements have previously resulted in full-time offers for IIT Madras students.