Nautilus Mobile
Mobile game developer that specializes in smart phone and tablet gaming.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
* | $13.7m Valuation: $18.3m | Acquisition | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Nautilus Mobile is a mobile game development studio focused on creating authentic cricket simulation games for a global audience. Founded in March 2013 by Anuj Mankar and a group of former Gameloft employees, the Pune-based company was established with the goal of producing mobile games with international production quality. Mankar, the current CEO, has an extensive background in the gaming industry, having worked as a game designer and producer before co-founding Nautilus. His journey in the sector began in 2005 as a game tester, and he holds a degree in Computer Games Production.
The company's flagship product is the "Real Cricket™" franchise, a series of simulation games that have been released annually since 2014. This franchise has accumulated over 250 million downloads globally and maintains a community of over one million daily active users, with a significant 89-90% of its user base located in India. "Real Cricket™" is known for its detailed graphics, realistic physics, and a wide array of features, including various real-world tournaments and true-to-life animations, which provide an immersive experience for cricket fans. The business model operates on a free-to-play basis, available on both iOS and Android platforms, with revenue generated through in-app purchases.
Nautilus Mobile's journey includes several significant corporate milestones. In October 2020, the company was fully acquired by JetSynthesys, a digital entertainment and technology firm. This was followed by a strategic Series A investment of $5.4 million in February 2022, led by South Korean gaming giant KRAFTON, the makers of BGMI. This funding was aimed at expanding into new markets and diversifying its sports game portfolio. Subsequently, in March 2025, KRAFTON acquired a controlling stake in Nautilus for ₹118 crore (approximately $13.7 million), making it KRAFTON's first controlling acquisition in India. JetSynthesys remains a significant minority investor, collaborating on strategic areas like esports.
Keywords: Nautilus Mobile, Real Cricket, mobile gaming, cricket simulation, Anuj Mankar, JetSynthesys, KRAFTON, sports games, game development studio, free-to-play, in-app purchases, iOS games, Android games, Indian gaming market, esports, game franchise, mobile entertainment, simulation games, video games, cricket fans