Krafton Launches New Studio ReLU Games to Advance Game Development

PUBG publisher Krafton has recently established a new studio called ReLU Games, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of game development.

ReLU Games will focus primarily on deep learning and AI development, with their debut game, FOONDA: AI Puzzler, scheduled for release in Q3 2023. This game will offer players an individualized puzzle experience by utilizing deep learning technology to generate unique puzzle stages.

In addition to FOONDA, ReLU Games has plans for Project Orchestra, which aims to incorporate speech recognition technology into gaming. As for the studio’s name, ReLU, Krafton explains that it stems from the renowned activation function employed in artificial neural networks. The name reflects the studio’s mission to transform failures and setbacks in the game development industry into opportunities for innovation and improvement.

Krafton’s Expanding Presence

Krafton has experienced recent growth, driven in part by the successful relaunch of BGMI (BattleGrounds Mobile India), a spin-off of PUBG: Mobile, within the Indian market. The game was temporarily removed from app stores due to government restrictions. Additionally, Krafton has recently released a tower-defense game called Defence Derby, reminiscent of the popular game Clash.

While Krafton is based in Korea, its expansion strategy aligns with many Chinese companies venturing into international markets. NetEase, for example, has opened numerous new studios abroad. Krafton’s move suggests a broader trend of Asian companies seeking global expansion.

The establishment of ReLU Games further demonstrates the industry’s ongoing interest in AI and deep learning technologies. Game developers and parent companies alike are actively exploring ways to incorporate and leverage these technologies to accelerate game development.