Krafton embraces AI first strategy with $70 million GPU cluster for smarter game development

Krafton, the studio behind PUBG: Battlegrounds and InZOI, is shifting gears to become an AI-first developer, signaling a bold transformation in how games are created and managed. The company plans to invest nearly $70 million in a dedicated GPU cluster, giving it the infrastructure to power AI workflows, in-game intelligence, and research and development at unprecedented scale. This isn’t just about faster processing—it’s about embedding AI into the core of the studio’s operations, from game creation to organizational management.

Under Krafton’s “AI First” strategy, agentic AI systems will automate routine tasks, assist with development pipelines, and provide actionable insights to teams across the company. This includes AI-driven management systems designed to optimize workflows, freeing employees to focus on creativity, narrative design, and immersive world-building. By offloading repetitive and data-intensive tasks, Krafton hopes to accelerate both the pace of production and the quality of its games, creating environments that feel richer and more responsive to player engagement.

The GPU cluster will serve as the backbone of Krafton’s AI initiatives, enabling advanced in-game AI services and supporting research into smarter, adaptive systems. Alongside the infrastructure, the company will invest approximately ₩30 billion annually to help employees integrate AI tools into their daily workflows, training staff to collaborate seamlessly with intelligent assistants. HR and organizational operations are also being restructured to align with this strategy, reflecting a holistic approach that extends AI influence beyond development into corporate strategy.

Krafton isn’t pioneering this path in isolation. Other tech and gaming companies, including Shopify, Duolingo, and EA, are making similar moves, integrating AI to cut costs, speed up iterations, and optimize performance. Investors targeting EA have cited AI-driven efficiencies as a key driver for profit growth, highlighting a wider industry trend: AI is no longer an optional enhancement but a strategic imperative.

For developers, designers, and studio leaders, Krafton’s approach demonstrates that AI-first doesn’t mean AI-only. Human creativity remains central, guiding design choices, storytelling, and player experience. AI acts as a partner, taking on repetitive tasks, offering predictive insights, and enabling rapid prototyping. The combination of human vision with machine efficiency is designed to unlock more ambitious game worlds, more complex environments, and faster iteration cycles without compromising artistic intent.

The “AI First” strategy also signals a broader shift in corporate mindset. Investment in AI infrastructure, employee training, and workflow reorganization reflects a recognition that technology and human creativity must coexist. The GPU cluster and agentic AI systems are tools, but the culture change—how teams interact with AI and adapt processes—is what will define success.

Krafton’s bold push is a case study in how gaming studios can scale up ambition without scaling down creativity. It’s about turning technological investment into operational advantage, giving teams more bandwidth to explore narrative depth, player engagement, and innovation in design. By embedding AI throughout its operations, Krafton aims to streamline development, empower its workforce, and deliver immersive experiences that respond to player needs faster than ever before.

For anyone watching the gaming industry evolve, Krafton’s AI-first strategy shows that success lies in blending machine efficiency with human imagination. Companies that embrace intelligent infrastructure while keeping creative vision intact may lead the next wave of interactive entertainment. Players, developers, and investors alike should watch closely—this approach could define the future of gaming.

If you want to explore how AI-first operations can elevate game development and team productivity, follow Krafton’s journey and see how infrastructure meets imagination in real time.