The Mobile Premiere 2026 to Spotlight Indian Game Developers on a Global Stage with KRAFTON India
GamingonPhone has officially launched The Mobile Premiere, the world’s first showcase dedicated exclusively to mobile games, set to debut alongside the sixth GamingonPhone Awards on October 28, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand. In a move that elevates India’s creative talent, KRAFTON India has signed on as the official partner for the event’s Indie Segment, creating a dedicated platform to accelerate the country’s rapidly expanding indie game development ecosystem and place Indian game developers firmly on the international map.
The partnership builds directly on the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI), the company’s established programme that supports emerging studios with funding, mentorship, and access to global opportunities. Only indie studios registered and based in India are eligible. Selected titles will share the stage with established international names including NetEase Games, OUTFIT7, and FunPlus, ensuring local creators gain the same visibility as major global publishers.
The Mobile Premiere 2026 Interest Form (for studios): Click Here
GamingonPhone Awards & Mobile Premiere event registration (Luma): Click Here
How the Initiative Supports Indian Game Developers?
Every Indian indie title featured at The Mobile Premiere will receive INR 1 lakh through the newly introduced KIGI Indie Excellence Honors. This financial recognition is designed to ease the early-stage pressures many independent teams face while delivering tangible industry validation.
Organizers describe the showcase as filling a long-standing gap: a dedicated global stage built specifically for mobile games rather than treating them as an afterthought at broader industry events.
“Indian studios are producing original IPs with genuine ambition and craft,” said Anuj Sahani, Head of Gaming Incubator and Director of Publishing at KRAFTON India, who also sits on The Executive Foundry, the advisory board guiding the event. “By pairing the KIGI programme with a high-profile international platform, we can help these teams move from local recognition to meaningful global conversations.”
A New Stage for Mobile Games and Indian Game Developers
Unlike traditional showcases that often prioritize console or PC titles, The Mobile Premiere is purpose-built for the mobile medium. Developers of any size can participate free of charge, with no slot fees planned “now or ever.” Studios use the event to premiere new titles, trailers, and announcements before a mixed audience of players, media, and industry partners. GamingonPhone powers the event, while The Executive Foundry comprising seasoned industry veterans, shapes its overall direction.
The timing is deliberate. India’s mobile gaming market continues to grow at pace, driven by widespread smartphone adoption and a rising generation of developers creating culturally resonant experiences. KRAFTON India’s deeper commitment, including its broader incubation efforts and recent investments in local talent and studios, positions the company as a consistent advocate for homegrown creators seeking international reach.
Looking Ahead for Indian Game Developers
Applications for the KIGI Indie Excellence Honors remain open via a free Studio Interest Form. Organizers expect to announce the selected Indian studios and games, along with further details on the indie segment, in the weeks leading up to the Bangkok event.
As the inaugural Mobile Premiere approaches, the partnership between GamingonPhone and KRAFTON India signals a clear shift: Indian game developers are no longer waiting on the sidelines of the global industry. They are being given a dedicated stage, financial recognition, and the visibility required to compete and connect on equal footing with the world’s established mobile studios.
"The October 28 showcase in Bangkok may mark only the beginning of that larger story."
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