Blue Ocean Games, a venture fund backed by the prominent South Korean gaming company Krafton Inc., has announced the creation of a $30 million fund aimed at supporting independent game developers globally, with a particular focus on emerging talent from India.

The fund, spearheaded by Damian Lee, the former head of investments at Krafton, aims to assist 100 developers over the next three years. Blue Ocean Games offers funding at the conceptual stage, even before developers have a playable prototype, through an innovative investment model called the Structured Agreement for Indie Launch (Sail). Each team can receive up to $300,000 in funding over two years, with individual developers eligible for $100,000.

Under the Sail model, developers retain full ownership of their intellectual property. The framework includes a hybrid stock and revenue-sharing arrangement designed to balance investor returns with developer autonomy.

Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India, emphasized that "Blue Ocean Games has a forward-thinking funding strategy that provides essential financial support to independent developers right from the start," highlighting India's potential as a hub for creativity and technical innovation, despite many promising ideas struggling to gain initial traction.

In addition to financial backing, the fund will offer valuable services such as bookkeeping, assistance with incorporation, and mentorship from industry veterans. Developer cohorts will be formed to foster learning and community engagement. While the current fund is tailored for solo developers and small startup teams, Blue Ocean Games plans to extend support to larger and more experienced teams in future funding rounds.