Krafton-Backed Blue Ocean Games Launches $30M Fund to Empower Next Gen Indie Game Devs

Blue Ocean Games has launched a $30 mn fund to support the next generation of indie game developers, Games Press reported.

Blue Ocean Games has established a new $30 mn venture capital fund, supported by Krafton, the publisher of PUBG and inZoi, aimed at fostering approximately 100 indie game creators over the next three years through an innovative investment approach.

The fund is designed to identify and support promising indie developers who may not meet conventional funding criteria, enabling groundbreaking gaming concepts that might otherwise remain unreleased. Krafton, Inc. has backed Blue Ocean Games’ inaugural fund, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing innovative game development.

“There is a structural problem in the indie game industry where the gap between what investors are willing to fund, what developers dream of creating, and what players crave has grown too wide,” said Damian Lee, founder and managing partner of Blue Ocean Games.

“Beyond simply filling a funding gap, we are trying to reimagine the ecosystem itself. By aligning player demand with developer passion through community validation and reliable funding, our goal is to create an environment where mutual benefits naturally drive success and growth. This isn’t just about picking winners; it’s about expanding the playing field so that more visions can become reality.”

SAIL Method

The fund employs a unique investment platform called SAIL (Structured Agreement for Indie Launch), designed to support game developers early in their creative process. SAIL provides funding during the concept stage, before a playable build is developed, offering $100,000 per developer and up to $300,000 per team over two years.

Instead of subjective milestones, the agreement uses objective, market-validation benchmarks to monitor progress. The SAIL model features a hybrid equity and revenue-sharing structure, balancing developer autonomy with investor returns. Crucially, developers retain full ownership of their intellectual property throughout the process.

In addition to financing, the fund will provide practical support, including incorporation, bookkeeping and mentorship from industry experts. Developers will be grouped into cohorts, fostering a collaborative community to share knowledge and resources. While the inaugural fund currently targets solo developers and small, first-time founder teams, Blue Ocean Games plans to expand support to include larger, more experienced teams in future funds.