Pixel P&L: BGMI Boosts Krafton to New Heights

In today’s Pixel P&L, we break down Krafton’s record earnings driven by BGMI’s strong performance, Roblox’s SEC investigation, Samay Raina’s response to the ongoing controversy, Unity’s latest round of layoffs, and more.

/ BGMI Fuels Krafton’s Record Mobile Revenue Growth

Krafton has reported record-breaking earnings for 2024, with full-year revenue surging 41.8% year-on-year to $1.85 billion. Operating profit climbed 54% YoY to $825.7 million, driven by PUBG’s sustained expansion and a 35.7% revenue boost from Battlegrounds Mobile India.

Net profits soared 119% YoY, reinforcing Krafton’s financial momentum. The company’s Q4 performance remained strong, with sales rising 16% and operating profit up 31%. Looking ahead, Krafton is banking on inZOI, Dark and Darker Mobile, Subnautica 2, and Dinkum Together as strategic growth drivers.

"While continuing to expand the PUBG IP, we will accelerate the discovery of a new franchise IP to reinforce our competitive edge," CEO CH Kim stated. He also highlighted AI technology as a future-defining element, positioning Krafton beyond gaming into a broader global entertainment ecosystem.

Roblox Faces SEC Investigation Amid Scrutiny Over Business Practices

Roblox Corp. is under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to a Bloomberg report. A Freedom of Information request confirmed the company’s inclusion in an active inquiry, though the SEC declined to disclose details, citing the need to protect an ongoing enforcement proceeding.

The probe follows allegations by short-seller Hindenburg Research, which last October accused Roblox of inflating key metrics and failing to safeguard minors. The company refuted the claims, calling them misleading and attributing them to Hindenburg’s financial interests. In November, Roblox strengthened its safety protocols for users under 13.

Social Media Backlash Forces Samay Raina to Take Down Comedy Show

Comedian Samay Raina removed all episodes of his YouTube series “India’s Got Latent,” following a burgeoning controversy over influencer Ranveer “BeerBiceps” Allahbadia’s remarks during the show. In his first response since the uproar began earlier in the week, the 27-year-old stated on X, “Everything that is happening has been too much for me to handle. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time.” He added that he would fully cooperate with all investigative agencies.

The controversy began after Allahbadia’s comments on parents and sex went viral, sparking police complaints in Mumbai and Guwahati. While the influencer has apologized, calling his remarks a lapse in judgment, the fallout continues. Maharashtra’s Cyber Department has filed an FIR, summoning more than 40 individuals, including Raina and Allahbadia. The National Commission for Women has also launched a probe, and the issue has reached Parliament, where Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske has called for legislation to regulate social media.

Quick Bytes

Krafton Unveils BGMI Event Featuring India’s Top Gamers

The Heroes Ka Mahayuddh Season 1 for BGMI runs until March 10. It features 20 top gaming creators, including Mortal, Snax, and Scout, and will see the participants and their respective communities battle for leaderboard supremacy. Krafton has yet to disclose details on prize rewards.

Unity Implements Another Round of Layoffs Amid Restructuring

The company reportedly cut the team behind visual tool Behavior along with designers and artists. An internal email from Chief Revenue Officer Matthew Bromberg stated the cuts mainly affected the CTO, Engine Product, and Ads teams. The exact number of impacted employees remains unclear. The move follows Unity’s January restructuring, which saw 1,800 jobs eliminated.

Chennai Comic Con Draws 39,000 Fans Over Two-Day Event

The event featured cosplay contests, live performances, fan-driven experiences, pop culture showcases, gaming zones, and industry panels.

💡 Did You Know?

Before the Nintendo Entertainment System revolutionized gaming, Nintendo’s first foray into home consoles was the Color TV-Game in 1977. Co-developed with Mitsubishi, this Japan-exclusive device featured simple Pong-style games and sold over 3 million units across multiple models. Lacking the interchangeable cartridges that would define later systems, each unit was preloaded with a fixed set of games. While rudimentary by today’s standards, the Color TV-Game laid the foundation for Nintendo’s dominance in gaming, paving the way for the Famicom and beyond. Its success proved the company’s ability to capture the home entertainment market.

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