According to engadget, South Korean games publisher Krafton—the company behind major titles like PUBG and Subnautica—has announced it’s transforming into an “AI first” company. As part of this shift, Krafton is implementing a voluntary resignation program aimed at reducing its workforce. The company is also freezing all hiring except for roles focused on developing original intellectual property and AI-related personnel. This strategic pivot comes despite Krafton reporting a significant 31% year-over-year increase in quarterly revenue, reaching nearly $500 million. CFO Bae Dong-geun explicitly stated that “individual productivity must increase at the company-wide level” during a recent earnings call.
Corporate Speak Meets Reality
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Krafton’s official language about “supporting members in proactively designing their growth direction” sounds awfully familiar. It’s basically the corporate version of “we’re not firing you, we’re giving you opportunities!” But when you combine voluntary resignations with hiring freezes and demands for increased productivity, the message becomes pretty clear. They’re trimming the human workforce to make room for their AI ambitions.
The AI Gamble
Krafton isn’t just dabbling in AI—they’re going all in. The company plans to “automate work centered on agentic AI” and develop an “AI-centered management system.” But here’s the thing: agentic AI systems haven’t exactly been setting the world on fire. A recent MIT study found these systems often struggle with basic tasks, and another analysis predicts 40% of agentic AI projects will be abandoned entirely. So Krafton is betting heavily on technology that’s still largely unproven at scale.
Follow the Money
What makes this particularly striking is the timing. Krafton isn’t doing this because they’re struggling financially—they just posted nearly half a billion dollars in quarterly revenue. Those profits apparently won’t be going toward rewarding the staff who helped generate them. Instead, the money is being funneled into “large-scale investments in AI.” It’s the classic corporate playbook: record profits followed by workforce reduction, all in the name of “transformation.”
Broader Implications
This move raises bigger questions about the gaming industry’s direction. When a publisher responsible for massive franchises like PUBG shifts focus this dramatically, it signals where they think the real value lies. Is it in nurturing creative talent and developing groundbreaking games? Or is it in automating processes and chasing AI efficiencies? Krafton seems to have made their choice. And honestly, I’m skeptical that replacing game developers with “agentic AI systems” will produce the next Subnautica.
Hola! I’ve been following your site for some time now and finally
got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Austin Texas!
Just wanted to mention keep up the excellent job!
Very good post! We will be linking to this great content on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that
I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing
to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
Hi there to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from this site, and your views are pleasant designed for new visitors.
Wow, superb blog structure! How long have you ever been blogging
for? you made blogging glance easy. The overall glance
of your site is fantastic, as neatly as the content material!
Hi, I do believe this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to return yet again since I saved as a favorite it.
Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide
others.
Admiring the commitment you put into your site and detailed information you offer.
It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Wonderful read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you
some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article.
I wish to read even more things about it!
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would
really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thanks
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative
and interesting, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
The issue is something which not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about.
Now i’m very happy that I found this during my hunt for something relating to this.
Hello, I desire to subscribe for this webpage to get most recent updates, therefore where can i do it please help
out.
Very good info. Lucky me I came across your blog by chance (stumbleupon).
I’ve book marked it for later!
Why people still make use of to read news papers when in this
technological world everything is existing on net?
Marvelous, what a web site it is! This webpage gives helpful facts to us, keep it up.
Howdy, I do believe your site may be having internet browser compatibility problems.
When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
Apart from that, great site!
First of all I would like to say great blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you do not mind.
I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
I have had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out there.
I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the
first 10 to 15 minutes are lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?
Appreciate it!
It’s hard to find well-informed people for this subject, however, you sound
like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
excellent submit, very informative. I ponder why the opposite experts of
this sector do not understand this. You should proceed your writing.
I’m confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
What’s up, the whole thing is going sound here and ofcourse every
one is sharing facts, that’s really good, keep up writing.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.